DENVER–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Truckload freight volumes retreated and spot-market rates dropped sharply in April, compounding pressure on small trucking companies and independent operators already strained by record fuel prices, said DAT Freight & Analytics, operators of the outindustry’s largest truckload freight marketplace and DAT iQ data analytics service. DAT’s April Truckload Volume Index (TVI) for dry van freight was 273, 10% lower compared to March; the refrigerated TVI was 190, down 10%