The freight market has shown real signs of life in 2026 - rates are up, and many in the industry are calling it a recovery. But Michigan State University Professor of Logistics Dr. Jason Miller sees a more complicated picture. In his view, much of the current demand strength traces back to a single source: the AI boom and the wave of data center construction it's driving. The question is what happens when that tailwind fades.
Dr. Miller returns to The Intermodal Logistics Podcast to break down what's actually moving freight right now, what could realistically pick up the slack if AI-driven construction slows, and why he's less worried about the driver shortage than much of the industry. He also weighs in on diesel - explaining why the supply situation today is more precarious than it was when prices first spiked following the Iran attacks - and where he expects energy pricing to go from here.
On the capacity side, Dr. Miller walks through how the trucking market is responding to higher rates with new equipment orders, and makes the case that for shippers still on the fence about intermodal, the current environment - tight capacity, elevated truck rates, and high diesel - may be the strongest argument for conversion they've seen in years. He also tells us why he's less concerned about driver availability than many in the industry.
Get more of Dr. Miller's analysis on LinkedIn, where he routinely offers his thoughts on economic indicators and the freight market. And learn more about his program at MSU's Broad College of Business Department of Supply Chain Management.
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