Chapter 3 - Mobility

The U.S. transportation network makes possible a high degree of personal mobility and freight activity. In 1999, the transportation network supported 4.8 trillion passenger-miles and about 3.9 trillion ton-miles. The data in this section show growth in local and long-distance travel and freight shipments over time. Factors influencing this growth include, among others: greater vehicle availability, reduced travel costs, population increases, the economy, and consumer income.