Freight Facts and Figures 2012

Federal Highway Administration;BTS Productshttps://doi.org/10.21949/15016762012PDFTech ReportKeenan, CarolSprung, Michael J.Strocko, EdSchmitt, Rolf R.Rick, ChristopherSedor, JoanneMacroSys Research and Technology (Firm)United States. Department of Transportation. Bureau of Transportation StatisticsUnited States. Department of Transportation. Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and TechnologyUnited States. Federal Highway Administration. Office of Freight Management and OperationsUnited States. Federal Highway AdministrationUnited StatesEconomic factorsEmploymentEnergy consumptionEnvironmental impactsFreight transportationNetworksProductivitySafetyShipmentsTables (Data)TradeFHWA-HOP-13-001Freight Facts and Figures 2012 is a snapshot of the volume and value of freight flows in the United States, the physical network over which freight moves, the economic conditions that generate freight movements, the industry that carries freight, and the safety, energy, and environmental implications of freight transportation. This snapshot helps decision makers, planners, and the public understand the magnitude and importance of freight transportation to the economy. An electronic version of this publication is available at www.freight.dot.gov. Chapter 1 summarizes the basic demographic and economic characteristics of the United States that contribute to the demand for raw materials, intermediate goods, and finished products. Chapter 2 identifies the freight that is moved and highlights international trade. Chapter 3 describes the freight transportation system; volumes of freight moving over the system; the amount of highway, air, rail, port, and pipeline activities required to move the freight; and the performance of the system. Chapter 4 focuses on the economic characteristics of the transportation industry that operates the system. Chapter 5 covers the safety aspects, energy consumption, and environmental implications of freight transportation. Several of the tables and figures in this report are based on the Economic Census, which is conducted once every five years. The most recently published data are for 2007 (except for the Vehicle Inventory and Use Survey, which was last conducted in 2002). Many of the tables and figures are based on the Freight Analysis Framework (FAF), version 3, which builds on the Economic Census to estimate all freight flows to, from, and within the United States except shipments between foreign countries that are transported through the United States. Shipments to and from Puerto Rico are counted with Latin America. FAF covers all modes of transportation. The truck, rail, water, and pipeline categories include shipments transported by only one mode. Air includes shipments weighing more than 100 pounds moved by air or by air and truck. The multiple modes and mail category includes all Tech Report shipments transported by more than one mode, such as bulk products moved by rail and water and mixed cargo hauled by truck and rail. Multiple modes and mail also includes small shipments sent via postal and courier services. The Tech Report and unknown category is primarily unidentified modes but includes miscellaneous categories, such as aircraft delivered to customers and shipments through foreign trade zones. Please visit www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/freight/freight_analysis/faf for FAF data and documentation.123