Mar 7, 2011 3:35 PM

After a dramatic increase in van and reefer freight the week of February 7, truckload activity on TransCore’s DAT Network of load boards showed more modest growth the week of February 14 with overall truck capacity inching up 0.4% and freight volume increasing 3.7%.

The national average load-to-truck ratio for the week was eight loads per available posted truck, unchanged from the prior week. Van equipment postings—the most predominant equipment type—dipped 3.7%. Reefers dropped 7%, but flatbeds rose 13%.

A more complete analysis of load-to-truck ratios by equipment type can be found on TransCore Trendlines, published weekly with spot market and contract market rates, and other key indicators from TransCore’s US Freight Index, the standard barometer for the spot freight market. It is based on more than 60 million loads and trucks posted annually on the DAT Network of load boards by freight brokers, 3PLs, shippers, and carriers across the United States. TransCore Trendlines also includes industry data from the American Trucking Associations and the US Department of Energy.