The monthly revenue on average for motor carriers was $1,607.00, 10% higher per truck than in 2010, according to the second annual TransCore Freight Solutions Carrier Benchmark Survey. TransCore noted that the hike was due primarily to a corresponding 10% uptick in per-mile rates.
The survey also found that for-hire carriers that used load boards for 30 to 60% of their loads saw monthly revenues climb by an additional $1,378 (or 7.7%) per truck compared to last year.
Other survey results include:
- For-hire carriers found 20% more of their freight on load boards in 2011 than in 2010.
- Average length of haul declined 2.6% year over year, from 903 to 880 miles one way.
- Empty miles declined in 2011 by an average of 1.0%..
- Compared to last year’s survey, carriers sourced 11% less freight from contracts and repeat business, while securing a 20% larger portion of loads on the spot market.
- On average, carriers found 42% of their freight volume using load boards.
TransCore also found that spot market rates rose steadily in the first half of 2011, particularly in the refrigerated and flatbed segments. That was thanks to a combination of unusually high seasonal demand and constrained capacity, the survey found.
Also, the survey determined that for-hire carriers “benefited most when they hauled freight from both brokers and shippers in relatively equal proportions.”
The survey is based on responses from more than 600 for-hire carriers, owner-operators and asset-based broker/carriers that were attained this June.
The survey report is available free of charge at www.TransCoreFreightSolutions.com.
TransCore Freight Solutions serves brokers, carriers, owner-operators and shippers in the U.S and Canada.
