Lane Coverage and Empty-Mile Data: A 2026 Research Framework

Loaded and empty miles require one consistent mileage basis.

Internal brief

Research question: What records make lane coverage and empty-mile comparisons reproducible?

Audience and intent: Fleet and dispatch leaders need a network view of movement and unassigned distance. This page is informational and is not a pricing or accounting recommendation.

Method: Official transportation, statistical, and regulatory sources were retrieved 2026-08-12. The method names unit, route scope, period, and missing-load treatment.

Findings

• Join movement ID, origin, destination, loaded state, mileage source, and time window.
• Separate planned repositioning, deadhead, out-of-route, and unknown distance.
• Report lane counts with miles; small samples can distort percentages.

Measure	Use	Limitation
Empty-mile share	Network diagnosis	Depends on mileage basis
Lane coverage	Density review	Does not equal margin
Next-load gap	Planning queue	Needs a defined clock

Operational interpretation

Reconcile movement data to dispatch records and review outliers by lane. Administrative support can normalize records and prepare a queue; an operations owner decides network changes.

Limitations

GPS, odometer, route-plan, and road-network miles are not interchangeable. State the source and rounding rule.

Related questions

Does lower empty-mile share always mean better performance?

No. It may trade against service, driver constraints, rate, or safety considerations.

Sources

1. FHWA, Freight Performance Measurement, retrieved 2026-08-12: https://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/freight/freight_analysis/perform_meas/index.htm
2. BTS, Freight Facts and Figures, retrieved 2026-08-12: https://www.bts.gov/freight-facts-and-figures
3. FMCSA, Electronic Logging Devices, retrieved 2026-08-12: https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/hours-service/elds/electronic-logging-devices
4. FMCSA, Safety Measurement System, retrieved 2026-08-12: https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/safety/safety-measurement-system
5. FMCSA, Safety Planner, retrieved 2026-08-12: https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/safety/carrier-safety/safety-planner
6. FMCSA, Registration and Updates, retrieved 2026-08-12: https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration/update-your-registration
7. FMCSA, Licensing and Insurance, retrieved 2026-08-12: https://li-public.fmcsa.dot.gov/LIVIEW/pkg_carrquery.prc_carrlist
8. eCFR, 49 CFR Part 390, retrieved 2026-08-12: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-III/subchapter-B/part-390
9. eCFR, 49 CFR Part 395, retrieved 2026-08-12: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-III/subchapter-B/part-395
10. BLS, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, retrieved 2026-08-12: https://www.bls.gov/oes/