The LoDI Index
National LoDI Index
Greater Louisville LoDI Index
The National LoDI Index for May 2024 is 75.52, showing a decrease from the April 2024 index value (77.75). This month national air traffic has decreased significantly, and river traffic volumes have decreased slightly. Rail traffic volume and crude oil prices both increased. Manufacturing activities measured by the PMI index have seen an increase, while the truck tonnage values measured by the ATA index instead saw a significant decrease this month. The index value for May 2024 is slightly lower than the index value (76.79) seen in the same month of last year.
The Louisville LoDI Index for May 2024 is 70.84, showing a noticeable decrease from April’s value (75.68). Local air traffic has significantly decreased this month. Meanwhile, both river and rail traffic volumes have increased for the region this month. Truck tonnage values, as measured by the ATA Truck Tonnage index decreased significantly, while the PMI manufacturing activities index increased. Local crude oil prices saw a slight increase for three consecutive months. The Local LoDI Index value for May 2024 still holds at a significantly higher value than the index value (66.80) 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!