USA Banner

Official US Government Icon

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure Site Icon

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

U.S. Department of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation Icon United States Department of Transportation United States Department of Transportation

Freight Shipments Rose 1.0% in December from November

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Five Years: Freight Transportation Services Index, January 2008-December 2012

Five Years: Freight Transportation Services Index, January 2008-December 2012

The amount of freight carried by the for-hire transportation industry rose 1.0 percent in December from November, rising for the second consecutive month, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics’ (BTS) Freight Transportation Services Index (TSI) released today. The December 2012 index level (109.9) was 16.6 percent above the April 2009 low during the recession (Tables 1, 2A).

BTS, a part of the Department’s Research and Innovative Technology Administration, reported that the level of freight shipments in December measured by the Freight TSI (109.9) was 3.5 percent (Table 3) below the all-time high level of 114.0 in December 2011 (Table 2A). BTS’ TSI records began in 1990. See historical TSI data.

The Freight TSI measures the month-to-month changes in freight shipments by mode of transportation in tons and ton-miles, which are combined into one index. The index measures the output of the for-hire freight transportation industry and consists of data from for-hire trucking, rail, inland waterways, pipelines and air freight.

Analysis: The Freight TSI increased in December 2012, its second consecutive month of growth with both rail freight and trucking showing large increases. The rail and trucking increases were due, at least in part, to further recovery from Hurricane Sandy, as well as general economic activity.

Trend: Since peaking in December 2011 (114.0) at the highest level in the 22-year history of the Freight TSI series, the index remained in a narrow band through 2012, except for a drop in October (107.1), its lowest level since May 2011 (105.2). The index ended 2012 in December at the same level it started in January (109.9). After dipping to 94.3 in April 2009 during the recession, freight shipments increased in 29 of the last 44 months, rising 16.6 percent during that period (Tables 2, 2A). For additional historical data, go to TSI data.

Index highs and lows: Freight shipments in December 2012 (109.9) were 16.6 percent higher than the recent low in April 2009 during the recession (94.3). In April 2009, freight shipments were at their lowest level since June 1997 (92.3). The December 2012 level is down 3.5 percent from the historic peak reached in December 2011 (114.0).

Year-end: Freight shipments measured by the index were down 3.5 percent and the end of 2012 compared to the end of 2011, the first such decline since 2008 after three years of increases (Table 3).

Long-term trend: Freight shipments are up 0.1 percent in the five years from its pre-recession level in December 2007 and are up 5.3 percent in the 10 years from December 2002 despite declines in recent years (Table 5). 

Same month of previous year: December 2012 freight shipments were down 3.5 percent from December 2011, but rose 10.6 percent from December 2008 during the recession. Shipments measured by the index remained below the level of December 2005 (111.4) two years prior to the recession (Tables 4, 5).

4th Quarter Changes: The Freight TSI rose 0.7 percent in the fourth quarter following a 0.6 percent fall in the third quarter (revised from no change) and a 0.3 percent rise in the second quarter. The index increased in 11 of the last 14 quarters (Table 10).  

The TSI has three seasonally adjusted indexes that measures changes from the monthly average of the base year of 2000. The three indexes are freight shipments, passenger travel and a combined measure that merges the freight and passenger indexes. TSI includes historical data from 1990 to the present. Release of the January 2013 index is scheduled for March 13.

Passenger Index: The TSI for passengers rose 0.7 percent in December from its November level (Table 6).  The Passenger TSI December 2012 level of 118.4 was 1.7 percent above the December 2011 level (Table 7). The index is up 1.1 percent in five years and up 21.4 percent in 10 years (Table 5).  The passenger TSI measures the month-to-month changes in travel that involves the services of the for-hire passenger transportation sector. The seasonally adjusted index consists of data from air, local transit and intercity rail.

Combined Index: The combined freight and passenger TSI rose 0.9 percent in December from its November level (Table 8). The combined TSI December 2012 level of 112.2 was 2.1 percent below the December 2011 level (Table 9). The combined index is up 0.3 percent in five years and up 9.7 percent in 10 years despite recent declines (Table 5). The combined TSI merges the freight and passenger indexes into a single index.

Revisions: TSI numbers for August (Freight, Passenger and Combined) were revised because of revisions in the output data of the component transportation services. The August Freight TSI is 109.1, revised from 109.0 reported in last month’s release. The August Passenger TSI is 116.2 revised from 117.4. The August Combined TSI is 110.9 revised from 111.2. The TSI for September, October, November and December are preliminary.

TSI revision policy: TSI is updated monthly with the latest four months’ index numbers considered preliminary. Each month BTS releases the latest preliminary TSI, and replaces the oldest preliminary TSI with a revised TSI. More information about the BTS revision policies is available at monthly revision policy and 2011 Comprehensive Revision. 

Table 1: Freight, Passenger and Combined Transportation Services Indexes Since June 2012

Percent Change from Previous Month
(Seasonally Adjusted, Monthly Average of 2000 = 100)

  Freight Passenger Combined
Index Pct. Change Index Pct. Change Index Pct. Change
June 109.9 0.1 115.8 0.1 111.4 0.1
July 109.8 -0.1 114.8 -0.9 111.1 -0.3
AugustR 109.1 -0.7 116.2 1.2 110.9 -0.1
SeptemberP 109.2 0.1 118.5 2.0 111.7 0.7
OctoberP 107.1 -1.9 117.5 -0.8 109.9 -1.6
NovemberP 108.9 1.7 117.6 0.1 111.2 1.2
DecemberP 109.9 1.0 118.4 0.7 112.2 0.9

SOURCE: Bureau of Transportation Statistics

NOTE: P = preliminary; R = revised

NOTE: Percent changes based on numbers prior to rounding.

 

Table 2: Freight Transportation Services Index Monthly Changes, 2009-2012

Percent change from previous month

  2009 % Change 2010 % Change 2011 % Change 2012 % Change
January -2.4 0.5 1.0 -3.6
February 2.8 1.1 -1.4 0.7
March -4.0 1.2 2.0 -1.0
April -1.6 0.1 -1.0 0.1
May 0.3 0.5 -2.1 0.1
June 1.0 -0.1 2.5 0.1
July 1.6 0.3 -0.2 -0.1
August 1.5 -0.4 0.4 (R) -0.7
September -0.5 1.1 1.1 (P) 0.1
October -0.7 0.2 -0.3 (P) -1.9
November 2.9 -0.7 0.1 (P) 1.7
December 0.6 2.4 4.7 (P) 1.0

SOURCE: Bureau of Transportation Statistics

NOTE: P = preliminary; R = revised

 

Table 2A: Freight Transportation Services Index by Month, 2009-2012

  2009 2010 2011 2012
January 97.1 101.1 107.9 109.9
February 99.8 102.3 106.4 110.6
March 95.9 103.6 108.6 109.5
April 94.3 103.7 107.4 109.7
May 94.6 104.2 105.2 109.8
June 95.5 104.0 107.8 109.9
July 97.1 104.3 107.6 109.8
August 98.5 103.9 108.0 (R) 109.1
September 98.0 105.0 109.1 (P) 109.2
October 97.3 105.2 108.8 (P) 107.1
November 100.1 104.4 108.9 (P) 108.9
December 100.7 106.9 114.0 (P) 109.9

SOURCE: Bureau of Transportation Statistics

NOTE: P = preliminary; R = revised

 

Table 3: Annual Change in Freight, Passenger and Combined Transportation Services Indexes, 2003-2012

Percent change to December from December of the previous year

Year Freight Passenger Combined
2003 2.9 3.0 2.9
2004 2.6 6.0 3.5
2005 1.1 2.5 1.5
2006 -1.5 4.7 0.2
2007 0.1 2.5 0.8
2008 -9.5 -5.4 -8.4
2009 1.3 -0.7 0.7
2010 6.2 3.0 5.3
2011 6.6 2.8 5.5
2012P -3.5 1.7 -2.1

SOURCE: Bureau of Transportation Statistics

NOTE: P = preliminary

 

Table 4: Freight Transportation Services Index from Year-to-Year

Percent change in the December Freight TSI
(Monthly average of 2000 = 100)

  December Freight TSI Percent change from same month previous year
2003 107.4 2.9
2004 110.2 2.6
2005 111.4 1.1
2006 109.8 -1.5
2007 109.9 0.1
2008 99.4 -9.5
2009 100.7 1.3
2010 106.9 6.2
2011 114.0 6.6
2012P 109.9 -3.5

SOURCE: Bureau of Transportation Statistics

NOTE: P = preliminary

NOTE: Percent changes based on numbers prior to rounding.

 

Table 5: Transportation Services Indexes from Previous Years

Percent Change to December 2012 from December of previous years

Since December . . . Duration in years Freight TSI Percent change to December 2012 Passenger TSI Percent change to December 2012 Combined TSI Percent change to December 2012
2011 1 -3.5 1.7 -2.1
2010 2 2.8 4.6 3.3
2009 3 9.2 7.7 8.8
2008 4 10.6 6.9 9.6
2007 5 0.1 1.1 0.3
2006 6 0.2 3.7 1.2
2005 7 -1.3 8.5 1.4
2004 8 -0.2 11.2 2.9
2003 9 2.3 17.9 6.6
2002 10 5.3 21.4 9.7

SOURCE: Bureau of Transportation Statistics

NOTE: The percent changes to December 2012 are all preliminary

 

Table 6: Passenger Transportation Services Index Monthly Changes, 2009-2012

Percent change from previous month

  2009 % Change 2010 % Change 2011 % Change 2012 % Change
January -1.0 0.6 0.2 -1.0
February 0.5 -2.1 -0.2 1.4
March -1.4 2.3 0.9 -0.3
April 1.4 0.2 -0.1 -0.4
May -1.7 0.6 1.2 -0.2
June 0.5 0.8 -0.6 0.1
July 1.5 -0.2 0.1 -0.9
August -0.1 0.2 -1.2 (R) 1.2
September -0.6 1.0 1.4 (P) 2.0
October 0.1 0.9 -0.4 (P) -0.8
November -0.1 -0.3 0.5 (P) 0.1
December 0.2 -1.0 0.9 (P) 0.7

SOURCE: Bureau of Transportation Statistics

NOTE: P = preliminary; R = revised

 

Table 7: Passenger Transportation Services Index from Year-to-Year

Percent change in the December Passenger TSI
(Monthly average of 2000 = 100)

  December Passenger TSI Percent change from same month previous year
2003 100.4 3.0
2004 106.5 6.0
2005 109.1 2.5
2006 114.2 4.7
2007 117.1 2.5
2008 110.8 -5.4
2009 110.0 -0.7
2010 113.3 3.0
2011 116.4 2.8
2012P 118.4 1.7

SOURCE: Bureau of Transportation Statistics

NOTE: P = preliminary

NOTE: Percent changes based on numbers prior to rounding.

 

Table 8: Combined Transportation Services Index Monthly Changes, 2009-2012

Percent change from previous month

  2009 % Change 2010 % Change 2011 % Change 2012 % Change
January -2.0 0.5 0.7 -2.9
February 2.2 0.2 -1.1 0.9
March -3.3 1.5 1.7 -0.8
April -0.8 0.1 -0.8 0.0
May -0.3 0.5 -1.2 0.0
June 0.9 0.1 1.6 0.1
July 1.6 0.1 -0.1 -0.3
August 1.1 -0.2 -0.1 (R) -0.1
September -0.5 1.0 1.2 (P) 0.7
October -0.5 0.4 -0.3 (P) -1.6
November 2.1 -0.6 0.2 (P) 1.2
December 0.5 1.5 3.6 (P) 0.9

SOURCE: Bureau of Transportation Statistics

NOTE: P = preliminary; R = revised

 

Table 9: Combined Transportation Services Index from Year-to-Year

Percent change in the December Combined TSI
(Monthly average of 2000 = 100)

  December Combined TSI Percent change from same month previous year
2003 105.3 2.9
2004 109.0 3.5
2005 110.7 1.5
2006 110.9 0.2
2007 111.8 0.8
2008 102.4 -8.4
2009 103.1 0.7
2010 108.6 5.3
2011 114.6 5.5
2012P 112.2 -2.1

SOURCE: Bureau of Transportation Statistics

NOTE: P = preliminary

NOTE: Percent changes based on numbers prior to rounding.

 

Table 10: Freight Transportation Services Index Change by Quarter, 2003-2012

Percent change from the last month of the previous quarter

Year 1st Quarter (Jan-Mar) % Growth 2nd Quarter (Apr-Jun) % Growth 3rd Quarter (Jul-Sep) % Growth 4th Quarter (Oct-Dec) % Growth
2003 -0.9 -1.0 1.8 3.0
2004 1.9 0.5 -0.4 0.6
2005 1.4 -0.6 -0.3 0.7
2006 -0.5 0.9 -0.6 -1.3
2007 0.9 -2.2 -0.2 1.6
2008 -0.2 0.1 -2.5 -7.0
2009 -3.6 -0.4 2.6 2.8
2010 2.9 0.5 0.9 1.9
2011 1.5 -0.7 1.3 4.4
2012 -3.9 (R) 0.3 (P) -0.6 (P) 0.7

SOURCE: Bureau of Transportation Statistics

NOTE: P = preliminary; R = revised

 

Table 11: Passenger Transportation Services Index Change by Quarter, 2003-2012

Percent change from the last month of the previous quarter

Year 1st Quarter (Jan-Mar) % Growth 2nd Quarter (Apr-Jun) % Growth 3rd Quarter (Jul-Sep) % Growth 4th Quarter (Oct-Dec) % Growth
2003 -4.0 0.1 4.5 2.5
2004 1.8 2.1 -0.9 2.9
2005 1.9 0.5 0.9 -0.9
2006 2.0 0.1 -0.8 3.3
2007 2.1 0.4 0.7 -0.6
2008 -0.1 -0.3 -2.7 -2.3
2009 -1.9 0.1 0.8 0.3
2010 0.7 1.6 1.0 -0.4
2011 1.0 0.5 0.3 1.0
2012 0.1 (R) -0.6 (P) 2.3 (P) 0.0

SOURCE: Bureau of Transportation Statistics

NOTE: P = preliminary; R = revised

 

Table 12: Combined Transportation Services Index Change by Quarter, 2003-2012

Percent change from the last month of the previous quarter

Year 1st Quarter (Jan-Mar) % Growth 2nd Quarter (Apr-Jun) % Growth 3rd Quarter (Jul-Sep) % Growth 4th Quarter (Oct-Dec) % Growth
2003 -1.7 -0.7 2.6 2.9
2004 1.8 1.0 -0.5 1.2
2005 1.5 -0.2 0.0 0.2
2006 0.2 0.7 -0.7 0.0
2007 1.3 -1.5 0.0 1.0
2008 -0.2 0.0 -2.6 -5.8
2009 -3.1 -0.2 2.1 2.1
2010 2.3 0.8 0.9 1.2
2011 1.4 -0.4 1.0 3.5
2012 -2.8 (R) 0.1 (P) 0.2 (P) 0.5

SOURCE: Bureau of Transportation Statistics

NOTE: P = preliminary; R = revised

Brief Explanation of the TSI

The Transportation Services Index (TSI) is a measure of the month-to-month changes in the output of services provided by the for-hire transportation industries.  The freight index measure changes in freight shipments while the passenger index measures changes in passenger travel.

The TSI tells us how the output of transportation services has increased or decreased from month to month. The index can be examined together with other economic indicators to produce a better understanding of the current and future course of the economy.   The movement of the index over time can be compared with other economic measures to understand the relationship of changes in transportation output to changes in Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The freight transportation index consists of:

For-hire trucking,
Railroad freight services (including rail based intermodal shipments such as containers on flat cars),
Inland waterways transportation,
Pipeline transportation (including principally petroleum and petroleum products and natural gas), and
Air freight.

The index does not include international or coastal waterborne movements, private trucking, courier services, or the US Postal Service.

The passenger transportation index consists of:
Local transit,
Intercity passenger rail, and
Passenger air transportation.

The index does not include intercity bus, sight seeing services, ferry services, taxi service, private automobile usage, or bicycling and other non-motorized transportation. 

For a video explanation of the TSI, see Overview of the Transportation Services Index.  A BTS report explaining the TSI, Transportation Services Index and the Economy, is available for download.