The National LoDI Index for January 2021 is 62, which shows an increase from the December 2020 index value. Air traffic, rail traffic, and truck tonnage volumes have all seen minor increases in recent months. River traffic did decrease slightly during this time. Additionally, Nationwide crude oil prices also decreased marginally. All of these factors combine to increase the index value for the month of January 2021. The index value for January 2021 is lower than the index value seen in the same month of the last year.

The Louisville LoDI Index for January 2021 is 66, displaying an increase from December’s value. Local air, rail, and river traffic volumes have all increased in recent months. Meanwhile, manufacturing activities (PMI index) in the Greater Louisville area have decreased slightly. Also, local crude oil prices decreased marginally compared to the previous month. The Local LoDI Index value for January 2021 is lower than the index value seen in the same month of 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!