AAR Reports Rail Traffic Declines Continue to Slow in August
10 Sep 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information contact:
AAR Communications, 202-639-2100
Holly Arthur harthur@aar.org
AAR Reports Rail Traffic Declines Continue to Slow in August
Monthly Rail Time Indicators Report, Video Summary Available Online
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Sept. 10, 2009 – The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported that while U.S. freight rail carloads declined in August, down 16.4 percent (at 1,116,182 carloads) compared with the same month last year, the percentage decline for the month was the lowest since February. In the Rail Time Indicators Report issued today, AAR released monthly traffic data framed with other key economic indicators to show how freight rail ties into the broader the U.S. economy.
Carload data for certain commodity groups had notable traffic changes in August. Carloads of chemicals – which are used as a raw material in virtually all types of manufacturing – were up 14 percent (at 134,601 carloads) from its lowest point this year in March. This increase in carloads of chemicals is in line with the August Purchasing Managers Index, up 4 percent from the month before. The autos and auto parts commodity group saw a significant monthly boost – likely the result of the federal “Cash for Clunkers” program – up 40 percent (at 44,272 carloads) in August from the month before.
The more consumer-driven intermodal traffic was down 16.7 percent compared with August 2008. However, the average weekly intermodal count was 196,066 trailers – the highest since January 2009.
“August was another month where we are seeing traffic data moving in the right direction – but we are still in a wait-and-see mode,” said AAR Senior Vice President of Policy and Economics John Gray. “Railroads are beginning to bring cars out of storage – a promising sign there is growing demand to move more things by rail. However, to date, the improvements remain too small to judge whether they are the result of seasonal factors or indicators of an emerging recovery.”
Both the monthly Rail Time Indicators report and a video summary are available on the AAR web site: www.aar.org. A widget social-media tool, containing the video and link to the report also is available, which allows users to share the material by uploading it to Web sites, blogs, or online network profiles. This widget is a mini-Web application that also includes a contact form and a place to ask questions. To download the widget, click here or go to http://www.aar.org/NewsAndEvents/Widget/2009-0820-MonthlyTraffic.aspx
Editors Note: The Association of American Railroads (AAR) is the world's leading railroad policy, research and technology organization focusing on the safety and productivity of rail carriers. AAR members include the major freight railroads, or Class I railroads, of the U.S., Canada and Mexico, as well as Amtrak. Class I railroads represent 67 percent of the U.S. freight rail mileage and 90 percent of freight railroad industry employees. Railroads account for 43 percent of intercity freight volume — more than any other mode of transportation. To learn more about how freight rail works for America, the environment and for you, please visit: www.freightrailworks.org.