ACT Research Freight Forecast
DAT partners with ACT Research to bring you the best strategic freight forecasts and analysis in the industry.
ACT Research’s Freight Forecast is a monthly report that provides forward-looking freight market analysis, forecast tables, and presentation-ready insights to support rate planning, budgeting, benchmarking, and executive decision-making.
- Gain comprehensive insights and in-depth market analysis
- Access accurate forecasting and diverse forecast coverage
- Negotiate freight rates and mitigate risks with confidence
Gain comprehensive insights and in-depth market analysis
Make informed decisions in the dynamic trucking market with insights including freight rate and volume forecasts.
ACT Research utilizes market indicator data from truck original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and the most accurate Class 8 tractor population model to outline the supply-demand balance for truckers and shippers, providing you with crucial strategic planning support in the ever-evolving trucking markets. Turn to ACT Research as a validated third party to navigate changing trucking rates and guide your decisions confidently.
Access accurate forecasting and diverse forecast coverage
Gain a nuanced understanding of the commercial vehicle market with a wealth of data on freight rate predictions.
Empower your business with diverse market intelligence through ACT Research’s Freight Forecast. Receive monthly forecasts on key freight market indicators including market supply and demand; truckload spot and contract rate direction; dry van, reefer, and flatbed trends; Class 8 tractor population and capacity signals; carrier profitability; macroeconomic conditions affecting freight; and 6–36 month market outlooks.
Negotiate freight rates and mitigate risks with confidence
Secure favorable deals and strengthen shipper relationships with guidance from ACT Research’s Freight Forecast.
Built for transportation, logistics, procurement, pricing, strategy, and executive teams, Freight Forecast helps organizations move beyond backward-looking data and plan with greater confidence.
Trucking rates are calculated on a per-mile basis, which means the distance between your pickup location and destination is the most important factor in calculating truckload rates. However, the freight market is subject to various factors, including distance, type of cargo, fuel costs, demand, and capacity. Carriers consider market conditions, seasonal trends, and specific lane dynamics when determining rates. Technology platforms and market data play a crucial role, helping to balance supply and demand. Advanced data analytics and forecasting tools, such as ACT Research’s Freight Forecast, enable industry professionals to stay ahead and strategize.
Trucker spot rates are the current market prices for freight transport services. They are the fees that a shipper will pay to move a load at current freight rates. These rates fluctuate based on shipper demand and carrier capacity, reflecting the real-time truckload spot rates. To see freight rate predictions as well as how truck freight trends are expected to change in the future, subscribe to ACT Research’s Freight Forecast. Its analysis provides forecasts for the next 12 months for the truckload spot market, including dry van spot rates, reefer spot rates, and flatbed spot rates.
Class 8 trucks or tractors, commonly known as heavy-duty or semi-trucks, have a gross vehicle weight (GVW) exceeding 33,000 pounds. These vehicles include straight truck day cabs, straight truck sleeper cabs, tractor day cabs, and tractor sleeper cabs.
Since 1986, ACT Research has partnered directly with OEMs to gain Class 8 tractor information, making ACT the industry leader in Class 8 tractor reporting. Access this data alongside award-winning economic analysis drawn from years of experience and a growing used truck database in the Freight Forecast, giving you a best-in-class outlook for the transportation market.
Because the size of the commercial fleet market constantly fluctuates, trust the ACT Research team of seasoned transportation industry experts to analyze and forecast the commercial vehicle and transportation market for you. ACT examines and aggregates data in real time from truck and trailer OEMs, public and private databases, and economic trends. Not only that, but it also provides the most accurate forecasts for medium- and long-term (6–36 months) freight market trends in the industry. Gain access to the best commercial vehicle and freight forecasting nationwide through DAT’s partnership with ACT Research’s Freight Forecast.
"In our experience, DAT is the most accurate and complete source of spot and contract rate data available.”
- Don Everhart, VP Technology & Analytics for Knight-Swift Logistics
“By integrating DAT’s forecasting data and analytics tools with our expertise and customized pricing, we can deliver fast, reliable rates using the most comprehensive data and market analysis available.”
- Ryan Ilges, Worldwide Express Vice President of Truckload
Your strategic advantage in the dynamic trucking market starts here
DAT and ACT Research partner to bring freight professionals ACT’s independent forecasting expertise alongside DAT’s market visibility. Enhance your standing in the market and build client trust, while confidently navigating fluctuations and securing optimal deals. Subscribe to Freight Forecast now for unparalleled insights and accurate freight rate predictions.