TORONTO, Ont. -- Drawing data from its Loadlink freight-matching service, TransCore's Canadian Freight Index is showing signs of improving conditions for the Canadian trucking industry.
The upward trends reflected in the Canadian index are consistent with improvements in US conditions, according to TransCore.
The daily average posting of Canadian loads on TransCore's Loadlink system has increased 56% in February 2010 compared to February 2009. Truck postings have decreased about 10% over the same time, likely indicating that excess capacity is being trimmed or that carriers are filling up with freight from contract shipments, TransCore indicates.
The company also says there's been an overall improvement in the truck-to-load ration of 42% year-over-year.
"Trucking has seen one of the most challenging periods in the last year, but we are seeing substantial increases in load posting volumes and carrier searches," noted Claudia Milicevic, general manager of TransCore's Link Logistics.
Also of note, cross-border loads posted a 63% increase year-over-year in February and carrier truck searches are also on the rise.
TransCore's Loadlink freight- and equipment-matching service is used by nearly 5,000 Canadian transport companies. Data derived from the system has become an indicator of spot market freight for Canadian and cross-border surface transportation.