Freight Activity in the United States: 1993, 1997, 2002, 2007, 2012 and 2017

KEY: R = revised; S = data are not published because of high sampling variability or other reasons; U = data are not available.

^a Truck as a single mode includes shipments that went by private truck only, for-hire truck only, or a combination of both. 

^b 1993 and 1997 data exclude most shipments of crude oil. 2002 and 2007 data exclude shipments of crude petroleum.

^c Ton-miles estimates are based on estimated distances traveled along a modeled transportation network.

^d Percent change has been revised in...

Bus Profile

KEY:  N = data do not exist; R = revised; U = data are unavailable.

^a In 2003, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration implemented a program to improve reporting by Class I intercity bus carriers. This accounts for the large increase in Number of operating companies between 2002 and 2003, and as a result the large increase in Operating revenues and Operating expenses. For all years, New Jersey Transit has been excluded from the totals because of its status as a publicly run carrier.

^b Urban...

Truck Profile

KEY: N = data do not exist; NA = not applicable; R = revised; U = data are not available.

^aTruck transportation (NAICS 484) - Industries primarily engaged in over-the-road transportation of cargo using motor vehicles, truck-tractors, and trailers.

Couriers and messengers (NAICS 492) - Establishments primarily engaged in providing air, surface, or combined courier delivery services of parcels or primarily engaged in furnishing local messenger and delivery services of small items within a single metropolitan area or urban center...

U.S. Ton-Miles of Freight

KEY: R= revised; U = data are not available.

^a Incudes Freight, Express, and Mail. 

^b Estimates from 1980 to 1989 come from the Association of American Railroads using ton mile values from the Surface Transportation Board’s Waybill Sample. The Waybill Sample represents all major U.S. railroads, including all Class I railroads and several short-line railroads.

^c Foreign water traffic is only measured for their travel on U.S. waterways, based on distance from coastal entrance channels to ports and...

U.S. Passenger-Miles

KEY: N = data do not exist; R = revised; U = data are not available.

^a Data from 2007 were calculated using a new methodology developed by FHWA. Data for these years are based on new categories and are not comparable to previous years. The new category Light duty vehicle, short wheel base replaces the old category Passenger car and includes passenger cars, light trucks, vans and sport utility vehicles with a wheelbase (WB) equal to or less than 121 inches. The new category Light duty vehicle, long wheel base replaces Other 2-axle,...

Roadway Vehicle-Miles Traveled (VMT) and VMT per Lane-Mile by Functional Class

^a Includes the 50 States and the District of Columbia.

^bUrban other arterial includes other freeways and expressways, other principal arterial, and minor arterial. Rural other arterial includes other principal arterial and minor arterial prior to 2009, and includes other freeways and expressways, other principal arterial and minor arterial for 2009.

^cCollector is the sum of major and minor collectors.

Annual Wasted Fuel Due to Congestion

KEY: NA = not applicable; R = revised.

Very large urban areas - over 3 million population.

Large urban areas - over 1 million and less than 3 million population.

Medium urban areas - over 500,000 and less than 1 million population.

Small urban areas - less than 500,000 population.

^a Percent changes were calculated using the numbers in this table and were not obtained from the source. Ranks are based on the calculated percent changes with the highest number corresponding to a rank of 1.

Average Fuel Efficiency of U.S. Light Duty Vehicles

KEY: CAFE = Corporate Average Fuel Economy; GVWR = gross vehicle weight rating; mpg = miles per gallon; U = data are not available.

^a Data from 2007 were calculated using a new methodology developed by FHWA. Data for these years are based on new categories and are not comparable to previous years. The new category Light duty vehicle, short wheel base replaces the old category Passenger car and includes passenger cars, light trucks, vans and sport utility vehicles with a wheelbase (WB) equal to or less than 121 inches. The new category Light...

Energy Intensity of Light Duty Vehicles and Motorcycles

KEY: Btu = British thermal unit; N = data do not exist; U = data are not available.

^aMotorcycle is included in Light duty vehicle, short wheel base (previously Passenger car) in 1960 and 1965.

^b Energy Intensity (Btu/passenger-mile) is calculated by converting the fuel consumption in gallons to the energy equivalent Btu units and dividing by the passenger-miles. The heat equivalent factor used for Btu conversion is 125,000 Btus/gallon.

Bus Fuel Consumption and Travel