In August 2025, the mileage of toll-paying trucks with at least four axles on federal motorways, calendar- and seasonally adjusted, fell by 2.3 percent compared with July 2025. Compared with the same month last year, August 2024, the calendar-adjusted index was 1.0 percent lower, according to the Federal Office for Logistics and Mobility (BALM) and the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis).
Index as a leading indicator of the economy
The truck traffic provides early indications of
economic developments, particularly in industry.
“Economic activity generates and requires transport services,” the statement says.
Since the index is available about one month earlier than the production index, it can be used as a leading indicator. However, a breakdown by economic sectors is not possible.
Daily values for current observation
In addition to the monthly index, experimental daily values are published. These are available in the “Economic Pulse Meter” of the “Dashboard Germany.” The combination
with other high-frequency indicators enables near real-time monitoring of the economic development.
Methodological foundations
The truck toll traffic index is based on digital process data from truck toll collection. It was developed by BALM, while the Federal Statistical Office processes it as a seasonally adjusted economic indicator for Germany and the individual federal states. Data on cross-border trips are also captured. Adjustments to changes in the toll road network or in the gross vehicle weight
classes of vehicles ensure an undistorted depiction of the economic development.
Data access and further information
Monthly results are available via the Genesis Online database; detailed toll tables since 2008 are accessible in BALM’s online offering. In addition, differentiated information, for example by country of registration or emission class, is available through the existing publication program. According to BALM, the extensive data offering provides valuable information for operational planning and strategic management in the transport
