Spot market freight volume declined seasonally in January, down 11 percent from an atypical December high, according to the DAT North American Freight Index, an indicator of truckload freight demand and capacity. Volume slipped 27 percent compared to January 2014. It was the first year-over-year decline on the Index in 19 months.
Spot market freight volumes declined 16 percent in April compared to April 2012, according to the DAT North American Freight Index. Year-over-year declines in volume were seen across all equipment types: van load volume declined 20 percent, refrigerated ("reefer") loads slipped 10 percent, and flatbed freight dropped 15 percent.