Rail Freight Traffic Remains Down
21 May 2009
Contact: Tom White
(202) 639-2556; twhite@aar.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Rail Freight Traffic Remains Down
WASHINGTON, May 21, 2009 --- Freight traffic on U.S. railroads continued to reflect a weak economy as traffic remained down in comparison with last year during the week ended May 16, the Association of American Railroads reported today.
U.S. railroads originated 247,258 cars during the week, down 25.3 percent from the comparison week in 2008, with loadings down 21.2 percent in the West and 30.9 percent in the East.
All 19 carload commodity groups were down from last year, with declines ranging from 10.2 percent for the grain mill products to 69.5 percent for metallic ores.
Intermodal volume of 188,435 trailers or containers was off 19.4 percent from last year, with container volume down 14.1 percent and trailer traffic off 39.1 percent.
Total volume was estimated at 26.2 billion ton-miles, off 24.3 percent from 2008.
For the first 19 weeks of 2009, U.S. railroads reported cumulative volume of 5,036,579 carloads, down 19.2 percent from 2008; 3,531,569 trailers or containers, down 16.6 percent; and total volume of an estimated 534.6 billion ton-miles, down 18.1 percent.
Canadian railroads reported volume of 52,712 cars for the week, down 32.0 percent from last year, and 40,155 trailers or containers, down 17.4 percent. For the first 19 weeks of 2009, Canadian railroads reported cumulative volume of 1,139,754 carloads, down 22.9 percent from last year; and 773,733 trailers or containers, down 14.3 percent.
Mexican railroads reported originated volume of 11,728 cars, down 9.2 percent from last year, and 5,547 trailers or containers, down 11.3 percent. Cumulative volume on Mexican railroads for the first 19 weeks of 2009 was reported as 206,439 carloads, down 13.0 percent from last year; and 90,029 trailers or containers, down 19.9 percent.
Combined North American rail volume for the first 19 weeks of 2009 on 14 reporting U.S., Canadian and Mexican railroads totaled 6,382,772 carloads, down 19.7 percent from last year, and 4,395,331 trailers and containers, down 16.3 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.
Weekly Traffic of Major U.S. Railroads For The Week Ending May 16, 2009. (PDF)