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Most trucking officials are optimistic that freight volumes will grow and companies will be able to increase their rates, consulting firm Transport Capital Partners said.

Citing a survey conducted with trucking executives in the third quarter of each year, TCP said executives of 61% of companies expect volumes to increase over the next year. That compared with 50% positive expectations in 2012.

Carriers also were optimistic about rates, with 66% predicting increases in the next year.

Leaders of larger carriers were more likely to be optimistic than smaller carriers, TCP said. Among large carriers, 68% were optimistic about volume increases, versus 45% of small carriers. Similarly, 74% of large carriers predicted higher rates, compared with 48% of smaller ones.