The LoDI Index
National LoDI Index
Greater Louisville LoDI Index
The National LoDI Index for April 2024 is 77.28, showing a slight increase from the March 2024 index value (76.46). This month national air traffic has increased while river traffic volumes have decreased. Rail traffic volume and crude oil prices both decreased. Manufacturing activities measured by the PMI index and the truck tonnage values measured by the ATA index both increased slightly this month. The index value for April 2024 is slightly lower than the index value (77.73) seen in the same month of last year.
The Louisville LoDI Index for April 2024 is 75.68, showing a noticeable increase from March’s value (74.82). Local air traffic has significantly increased, while river traffic volumes have decreased for the region this month. Rail volume also decreased during this time. Truck tonnage values, as measured by the ATA Truck Tonnage index, increased slightly, as did the PMI manufacturing activities index. Local crude oil prices saw a sharp decrease for the third consecutive month. The Local LoDI Index value for April 2024 still holds significantly higher than the index value (67.47) in the same month of the last year.
The LoDI Index was developed at the Logistics and Distribution Institute (LoDI) at the University of Louisville and launched in early 2012. The index comes in two varieties; one specific to the Greater Louisville area, and another pertaining to the United States as a whole. Each index has the same purpose for its target area; to predict the level of logistics and distribution activity for the upcoming month. As a predictive indicator, the LoDI index can help organizations related to the field of logistics and distribution in making educated decisions related to projects, expenditures, and other associated activities, ahead of the curve.
The index utilizes regression analysis forecasting techniques. Multiple factors relating to the field are incorporated into the index’s calculations. Data includes factors relating to four main methods of transit: air, trucking, railway, and barge; as well as other economic factors. The indices are reported as a number between 1 and 100. The higher the index value, the higher the level of predicted activity. An index of 50 represents a level of activity equivalent to the established base year levels.
Future research is planned to incorporate additional indices related to the field of logistics and distribution into the LoDI Index family. Updates to the original Greater Louisville index have recently be completed in an effort to maintain as much predictive power as possible. Stay tuned for our upcoming work!