/ By Charity Boughner / Freight Volume/ • • • • • • • • • / 0 Comments

Carload Volume Down Across North America

According to the Weekly Rail Traffic Summary released by the AAR December 12, 2013 U.S. carload volume down 4.4 percent compared with the same week last year foe week ending December 7th, while intermodal volume was up 10.4 percent.  Total U.S rail volume for the week was up 1.8 percent compared with the same week in 2012.

Rail Traffic 12.07.13

U.S. carload volume for the first 49 weeks of 2013 was down 0.6 percent from the same point last year, however intermodal volume was up 4.4 percent.  For the first 49 weeks of 2013 total U.S. rail volumes was up 1.7 percent from the same point last year.

Canadian carload volume for the week ending December 7th was down 4.0 percent compared with the same week last year, while intermodal volume was up 5.0 percent.  For the first 49 weeks of 2013 Canadian carload volume was up 2.2 percent from the same point in 2012, and intermodal volume was up 4.5 percent.

Mexican carload volume for the week was down 0.2 percent compared with the same week last year, and intermodal volume was down 7.7 percent.  For the first 49 weeks of 2013 carload volume was up 6.3 from the same point last year, while intermodal volume was down 0.6 percent.

For the first 49 weeks of 2013, combined North American carload volume was up 0.3 percent compared with the same period in 2012, and intermodal volume was up 4.3 percent.

/ By Charity Boughner / Freight Volume/ • • • • • • • • • • • / 0 Comments

September North American Freight Number

The value of overall U.S. trade with its NAFTA partners, Canada and Mexico, rose 5.0 percent from September 2012 to September 2013 according to North American Freight numbers released by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS).

Pipelines were reported as having the largest year-to-year growth, 14.2 percent above last September’s value of freight carried by pipelines.  Trucks are the most heavily utilized mode for moving freight between the U.S. and its NAFTA partners, carrying three-fifths of U.S.-NAFTA trade.  Freight moved by trucks in September increased 5.4 percent from last year, and rail rose 8.1 percent. However, both freight carried by vessel and air declined from last year, 4.3 percent and 0.1 percent respectively.

Percent Change in Value of U.S.-NAFTA Freight Flows by Mode: 
September 2013 Compared to September 2012

US-NAFTA Freight Flows by Mode September 2013
*Source: http://www.rita.dot.gov/bts/press_releases/bts054_13

Read More

/ By Charity Boughner / Freight Volume/ • • • • • • • • • • / 0 Comments

Rail Traffic Up

For the 19th straight week U.S. intermodal volume increased, 6.3 percent from last week, according to the Weekly Rail Traffic Summary released by the AAR.  Carload volume for the week ending November 9, 2013 was up 4.9 percent compared with the same week last year.   Total U.S. rail traffic for the week was up 5.6 percent compared with the same week in 2012.

Rail Traffic Chart W45

U.S. carload volume for the first 45 weeks of 2013 was down 0.5 percent from the same point last year, while intermodal volume was up 4.1 percent.  Total U.S. rail traffic was up 1.6 percent from last year for the first 45 weeks of 2013. Read More

/ By Charity Boughner / Freight Volume/ • • • • • • • • • • / 0 Comments

Rail Traffic Up

For the 19th straight week U.S. intermodal volume increased, 6.3 percent from last week, according to the Weekly Rail Traffic Summary released by the AAR.  Carload volume for the week ending November 9, 2013 was up 4.9 percent compared with the same week last year.   Total U.S. rail traffic for the week was up 5.6 percent compared with the same week in 2012.

Rail Traffic Chart W45

U.S. carload volume for the first 45 weeks of 2013 was down 0.5 percent from the same point last year, while intermodal volume was up 4.1 percent.  Total U.S. rail traffic was up 1.6 percent from last year for the first 45 weeks of 2013. Read More

/ By Charity Boughner / Freight Transportation/ • • • / 0 Comments

Increase in Freight Shipments

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics Freight Transportation Services Index the amount of freight carried by for-hire transportation rose 0.8 percent in September from August, a 4.3 percent increase from the same moth last year.  This is the third consecutive month it rose, and reached its highest all-time level.  All modes of freight transportation rose in September except rail carloads.

In its report the BTS stated, “The accelerating growth in each month of the third quarter of 2013 is consistent with gross domestic product growth of 2.8 percent during those months.”

/ By Charity Boughner / Freight Transportation/ • • • / 0 Comments

Increase in Freight Shipments

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics Freight Transportation Services Index the amount of freight carried by for-hire transportation rose 0.8 percent in September from August, a 4.3 percent increase from the same moth last year.  This is the third consecutive month it rose, and reached its highest all-time level.  All modes of freight transportation rose in September except rail carloads.

In its report the BTS stated, “The accelerating growth in each month of the third quarter of 2013 is consistent with gross domestic product growth of 2.8 percent during those months.”

/ By Charity Boughner / Freight Volume/ • • • • • • • • • • / 0 Comments

New Intermodal Volume Record

In the November 7th release of the AAR Weekly Rail Traffic Summary the AAR reported that October’s weekly intermodal volume average was the highest average for any month in history.  Intermodal volume for October was up 3.8 percent compared with October 2012.  Carload volume in October was up 1.5 percent compared with October of last year, the highest year-over-year carload increase in the last 22 months.  However, according to the AAR, rail traffic in late October 2012 was impacted by Hurricane Sandy.

For the week ending November 2, 2013 carload volume was up 5.1 percent compared with the same week last year, and intermodal volume was up 17.7 percent.  The AAR reported that total U.S. rail volume for the week was also up, 10.8 percent compared to the same week last year, but again rail traffic in the comparable week in 2012 was affected by Hurricane Sandy.Rail Traffic Chart W44

U.S. carload volume for the first 44 weeks of 2013 was down 0.7 percent from the same point last year, while intermodal volume was up 4.0 percent.  For the first 44 weeks of 2013 total U.S. rail volume was up 1.5 percent from last year. Read More

/ By Charity Boughner / Freight Volume/ • • • • • • • • • • / 0 Comments

New Intermodal Volume Record

In the November 7th release of the AAR Weekly Rail Traffic Summary the AAR reported that October’s weekly intermodal volume average was the highest average for any month in history.  Intermodal volume for October was up 3.8 percent compared with October 2012.  Carload volume in October was up 1.5 percent compared with October of last year, the highest year-over-year carload increase in the last 22 months.  However, according to the AAR, rail traffic in late October 2012 was impacted by Hurricane Sandy.

For the week ending November 2, 2013 carload volume was up 5.1 percent compared with the same week last year, and intermodal volume was up 17.7 percent.  The AAR reported that total U.S. rail volume for the week was also up, 10.8 percent compared to the same week last year, but again rail traffic in the comparable week in 2012 was affected by Hurricane Sandy.Rail Traffic Chart W44

U.S. carload volume for the first 44 weeks of 2013 was down 0.7 percent from the same point last year, while intermodal volume was up 4.0 percent.  For the first 44 weeks of 2013 total U.S. rail volume was up 1.5 percent from last year. Read More

/ By Charity Boughner / Freight Volume/ • • • • • • • • • • / 0 Comments

Intermodal Volume Up for 17th Week

According to the Weekly Rail Traffic Summary released by the AAR both U.S. carload and intermodal volume was up for the week ending October 29, 2013, carload volume was up 3.6 percent from the same week last year and intermodal volume was up 3.2 percent.  Total U.S. rail traffic was up 3.4 percent compared to the same week in 2012.

Rail Traffic Chart W43

U.S. carload volume was down 0.8 percent from the same point last year for the first 43 weeks of 2013, while intermodal volume was up 3.7 percent.  Total U.S. rail traffic for the first 43 weeks of 2013 was up 1.3 percent from the same point in 2012. Read More

/ By Charity Boughner / Freight Volume/ • • • • • • • • • • / 0 Comments

Intermodal Volume Up for 17th Week

According to the Weekly Rail Traffic Summary released by the AAR both U.S. carload and intermodal volume was up for the week ending October 29, 2013, carload volume was up 3.6 percent from the same week last year and intermodal volume was up 3.2 percent.  Total U.S. rail traffic was up 3.4 percent compared to the same week in 2012.

Rail Traffic Chart W43

U.S. carload volume was down 0.8 percent from the same point last year for the first 43 weeks of 2013, while intermodal volume was up 3.7 percent.  Total U.S. rail traffic for the first 43 weeks of 2013 was up 1.3 percent from the same point in 2012. Read More