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Glama

get_freight_transportation_index

Get the US freight transportation health index from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Returns the Transportation Services Index (TSI) for freight and passenger, truck tonnage, rail carloadings, rail intermodal volume, waterborne freight, inventory-to-sales ratio, and industrial production index. Declining freight volumes are a leading indicator of economic slowdown. Used by logistics companies, freight brokers, and economic analysts tracking US freight demand trends.

Input Schema

TableJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault

No arguments

Schema Changelog

Changes observed during successful MCP inspections. Dates show when Glama detected each change.

  1. Added

TDQS

A4.4/5.0
Behavior4/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

No annotations are provided, so the description carries the burden of disclosure. It explicitly lists the returned data series and adds interpretive value about freight volumes as a leading indicator. It omits response format or access constraints, but for a read-only data retrieval tool, the return content is well specified.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness5/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

The description is three sentences long, each serving a distinct purpose: purpose, return components, and context/audience. No redundant phrases or unnecessary details; it is efficient and well-structured.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness4/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

Given the absence of an output schema, the description compensates by listing all major return components and providing interpretive context. It does not specify frequency or formatting, but for a no-parameter tool, the description is complete enough to understand the tool's output and value.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters4/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

The tool has zero parameters, so parameter semantics are not applicable. With no parameters to document, the baseline score of 4 applies, and the description does not introduce any conflicting parameter information.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose5/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The description opens with a specific verb and resource ('Get the US freight transportation health index from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics') and lists a clear set of output indicators (TSI, truck tonnage, etc.), distinguishing it from sibling tools that focus on rates, rail status, or broader economic indicators.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines4/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

The description gives clear context by naming the intended users and use case: 'Used by logistics companies, freight brokers, and economic analysts tracking US freight demand trends.' It does not explicitly exclude alternatives, but the specialized data focus implies when to use this tool.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

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TDQS

A4.1/5.0
Disambiguation5/5

Each tool targets a specific and distinct supply chain intelligence need, such as monitoring port congestion, tracking commodity prices, or analyzing trade policy. While there are multiple tools related to signals and ports, each has a clearly defined purpose (e.g., real-time monitoring vs. trend analysis vs. predictive signals), reducing ambiguity.

Naming Consistency3/5

Most tools use the 'get_' prefix (e.g., get_port_congestion_trends, get_border_delays), but several tools lack it, such as commodity_price_monitor, port_congestion_monitor, and supply_chain_risk_assessment. This mix of 'get_' and non-'get_' naming creates inconsistency. Additionally, some names are noun-heavy (risk_pillar_breakdown) while others are verb-noun (commodity_price_monitor).

Tool Count3/5

At 31 tools, the server is on the higher end of acceptable scope for a comprehensive supply chain intelligence platform. However, some redundancy exists (e.g., multiple signal and port tools), and the count may overwhelm agents without clear prioritization. It is slightly above the ideal range for coherence.

Completeness5/5

The tool set covers the major aspects of external supply chain risk: commodities, transportation (ports, borders, air, rail, chokepoints), manufacturing, macroeconomic indicators, trade policy, natural disasters, and labor actions. It also includes analytical tools like trend analysis and predictive signals, leaving no obvious gaps for its stated purpose of monitoring global supply chain disruptions.

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