Mar 22, 2011 2:10 PM

Truckload freight availability on TransCore’s DAT Network of load boards increased 12% nationwide in the week ending March 5, according to TransCore Trendlines, a weekly barometer for spot market freight trends. This is the largest load volume for a single week since TransCore began reporting weekly levels in January 2008.

Load volumes increased for all equipment types in the week ending March 5, led by a 15% increase in freight designated for vans. Conversely, truckload freight capacity declined 7% on the spot market, compared with the previous week, indicating a continued tightening of truckload capacity.

The load-to-truck ratio increased for both dry vans and refrigerated vans, by 22% and 23%, respectively, versus the previous week; the ratio for flatbeds increased 15%.