Based on the survey findings, NMFTA has adopted the most aggressive changes in the classification’s history.
Alexandria, Virginia, October 17, 2022 — The National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) recently conducted a survey to help determine the future of its National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC). The results were shared Monday afternoon during NMFTA’s triannual Membership Meeting in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia.
During the meeting, less-than-truckload (LTL) industry professionals were presented with the survey findings, which revealed that the majority of respondents are in favor of moving more toward a density-based classification system, but still support the assignment of classes reflective of a product’s transportation characteristics (density, handling, stowability, and liability), especially where negative handling, stowing and/or liability considerations are evident.
The respondents also desire an NMFC that is less complex, with more general items and is easier to use. Where density is the primary transportation characteristic, over 70% of respondents support use of the current 11-subprovision density scale—ranging from class 60 to class 400.
Based on these findings, NMFTA has adopted the most aggressive changes ever to the NMFC and has launched a “Classification Reimagination Project”. Evidence of these changes can be found in Docket 2022-3, which was considered by the Freight Classification Development Council (FCDC) at its meeting on Monday.
“The industry has changed dramatically and we must modernize the tools that supports the industry and how we ship goods,” shared Debbie Sparks, Executive Director at NMFTA. “We’re in the beginning stage of this endeavor and we’re excited to launch the results. It’s imperative that we bring all stakeholders into the conversation – motor carriers, shippers, 3PLs, and TMS providers – as we gather everyone’s feedback so we are poised to expand as our technology does.”
NMFTA looks forward to continuing its work with its participants, its Classification Development team, as well as interested industry groups to enhance the NMFC and bring it in line with today’s LTL industry.
To learn more about NMFTA, visit www.nmfta.org.
About NMFTA
Since 1956, the National Motor Freight Traffic Association, Inc. (NMFTA) has represented the interests of the less-than-truckload (LTL) motor carrier industry. NMFTA is committed to helping LTL carriers meet the challenges confronting the transportation industry in the 21st century through research, education and the publication of specifications, rules, transportation codes and the preparation and dissemination of studies, reports and analyses. Membership in NMFTA is available to all for-hire interstate and intrastate motor carriers.
Contact
Marli Hall
Director of Communications & Member Services
marli.hall@nmfta.org
703-838-1818
