Friday, January 16, 2009

Freight Traffic on U.S. Railroads Down at Start of New Year

WASHINGTON, January 15, 2009 — Freight traffic on U.S. railroads was off during the first week of 2009 in comparison with 2008's initial week, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported today.

Carload freight totaled 271,471 cars, down 17.7 percent from 2008, with loadings down 13.4 percent in the West and 23.7 percent in the East. Intermodal volume of 204,103 trailers or containers was off 14.3 percent from last year, with container volume falling 9.8 percent and trailer volume dipping 31.4 percent. Total volume was estimated at 28.8 billion ton-miles, off 16.3 percent from 2008.

Canadian railroads reported volume of 55,903 cars, down 26.8 percent from last year, and 42,986 trailers or containers, down 13.7 percent.

Mexican railroads reported originated volume of 8,972 cars, down 20.3 percent from last year's first week, and 3,943 trailers or containers, off 24.3 percent.

Combined North American rail volume for the first week of 2009 on 14 reporting U.S., Canadian and Mexican railroads totaled 336, 346 carloads, down 19.5 percent from last year, and 251, 032 trailers and containers, down 14.4 percent from last year.

Railroads reporting to AAR account for 89 percent of U.S. carload freight and 98 percent of rail intermodal volume. When the U.S. operations of Canadian railroads are included, the figures increase to 96 percent and 100 percent. The Canadian railroads reporting to the AAR account for 91 percent of Canadian rail traffic. Railroads provide more than 40 percent of U.S. intercity freight transportation, more than any other mode, and rail traffic figures are regarded as an important economic indicator.

AAR is the world's leading railroad policy, research and technology organization focusing on the safety and productivity of rail carriers.

All AAR press releases are available via the Internet at www.aar.org.

Note: There are now four charts accompanying the weekly rail traffic press release: one provides total U.S. rail data for carloads, intermodal and ton-miles; the second provides total Canadian railroad data for carloads and intermodal; the third provides total Mexican railroad data for carloads and intermodal; and the fourth provides North American data for railroads in the U.S., Canada and Mexico combined.

Weekly Traffic of Major U.S. Railroads For The Week Ending January 10, 2009. (PDF)