FHWA Releases New Data on Freight Movement
On November 3, 2010, the Federal Highway Administration released its new version of Freight Analysis Framework, which it states is the most comprehensive, publicly available data set of freight movement.
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Every Day, 51 M Tons of Goods Move on U.S. Transportation Modes
According to the release, estimates show that in 2007, nearly 18.6 billion tons of goods worth about $16.5 trillion were moved on the transportation network, which equates to 51 million tons of goods valued at more than $45 billion a day moved throughout the country on all transportation modes.
Estimates Indicate Return to Freight Growth in 2010
After declines in 2008 and 2009, preliminary estimates indicate a return to growth in 2010. Freight Analysis Framework projections show tonnage will continue increasing 1.6 percent per year, reaching 27.1 billion tons by 2040, which is a 61 percent increase in tons between 2010 and 2040.
Trucks Still Move Majority of Freight
Trucks are still the single most-used mode to move freight, especially for distances less than 500 miles - they moved 69 percent of the weight and 65 percent of the value in 2007. Intermodal goods movement accounted for 18 percent of the value of freight transportation in 2007 and is forecast to grow to nearly 27 percent by 2040.
More detail on the Freight Analysis Framework is available here.