White Paper—Get Ahead of the Curve: Learning From the Past to Prepare for the Future

The past three years have offered an opportunity—the best in decades—to study the wildly volatile freight market. In 2017 and 2018, an abundance of freight led carriers to gain pricing power and expand their operations while shippers grasped for creative solutions to find new capacity. In 2019, after a year of historic tightening of truck capacity from hurricanes, ELDs and corporate tax cuts, truck capacity gained flexibility. Shippers regained confidence, but this confidence should be tempered with caution and readiness, since data reveals 2020 to be a year of tightening capacity and increased volatility. 

A nine-question survey conducted by FreightWaves, in partnership with New York City-based third-party logistics (3PL) provider Transfix, elicited responses from 119 shippers who approach 2020 with high confidence. The survey was conducted to learn how shippers can rely on logistics partners and strategize for a tight market given that one sits on the horizon.

This white paper pairs FreightWaves’ survey results with SONAR data to closely examine the contributing factors of volatility in the most recent freight cycle, predict the tightening market in 2020 and show how shippers can use data to increase visibility and stability.  

Complete the form below to download your complimentary copy.

Upcoming FreightWaves Events
Compliance

Brokerage Compliance Symposium

The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.

October 26, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
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Awards

F3 Awards Dinner

The night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.

October 26, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
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FreightTech

F3: Future of Freight Festival

Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.

October 27, 2026 – October 28, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
Register Now
Compliance Brokerage Compliance Symposium Oct 26 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now
Awards F3 Awards Dinner Oct 26 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

The night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now
FreightTech F3: Future of Freight Festival Oct 27 – Oct 28 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now