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US rail off 8.2pc to 13.1 million units in 2016, intermodal flat: AAR.
US RAIL carload volume was down 8.2 per cent year on year to 13.1 million units in 2016 while intermodal containers fell 1.6 per cent to 13.5 million units at the same time, reports the Association of American Railroads (AAR).
Total rail carload volume in the United States was down five per cent from the same period last year to 26.6 million carloads, the AAR said.
"Last year was challenging for freight railroads," said AAR vice president John Gray. 'Carloads were down for a second year, due to weak manufacturing and turmoil in energy markets, while intermodal failed to set its fourth straight annual record."
Traffic in the US grew 2.8 per cent in December to 973,642 carloads, while intermodal surged 11.2 per cent 1.01 million containers and trailers compared to the same month last year, according to the AAR.
For December 2016, combined US carload and intermodal originations were 1.99 million up 6.9 per cent or 128,362 carloads and intermodal units from December 2015, reports the American Journal of Transportation.
Thirteen of the 20 carload commodity categories tracked by the AAR reported year-on-year growth in December including coal, up 4.2 per cent; grain, up 10.5 per cent; and chemicals, up 3.9 per cent.
Commodities that saw declines in December 2016 from December 2015 included petroleum and petroleum products, down 17.4 per cent; crushed stone, gravel and sand, down 4.1 per cent; and miscellaneous carloads, down 5.9 per cent.
The AAR said that excluding coal, carloads were up two per cent or 12,787 units in December 2016 from December 2015.
Looking ahead, the AAR pointed out that as previously mentioned, market shifts in the US economy have led to challenges in the freight rail industry, especially as it relates to rail traffic.
Freight railways, therefore, have outlined a series of policy recommendations designed to help preserve and enhance the industry's positive impact on the nation's economy, while allowing for continued safe, efficient and reliable freight transportation service.
Said AAR president and CEO Edward Hamberger: "The freight rail industry will advocate for a simpler and fairer tax code to enhance US economic development, promote growth and reduce debt. Freight railroads will also push for a sustainable funding source that provides for aggressive investment in public infrastructure."
Mr Hamberger also addressed the industry's ongoing concern with a series of proposed regulations before the Surface Transportation Board (STB).
"The freight rail industry is capital intensive and must spend massive amounts of its money to maintain infrastructure and equipment. Current STB proposals would inhibit railroads' ability to continually invest the amount of capital needed to make the 140,000-mile network work for Americans," he said.
"The board should be cognizant of the economic impact our industry and promote regulations that enhance job growth and development," said Mr Hamberger.
Total rail carload volume in the United States was down five per cent from the same period last year to 26.6 million carloads, the AAR said.
"Last year was challenging for freight railroads," said AAR vice president John Gray. 'Carloads were down for a second year, due to weak manufacturing and turmoil in energy markets, while intermodal failed to set its fourth straight annual record."
Traffic in the US grew 2.8 per cent in December to 973,642 carloads, while intermodal surged 11.2 per cent 1.01 million containers and trailers compared to the same month last year, according to the AAR.
For December 2016, combined US carload and intermodal originations were 1.99 million up 6.9 per cent or 128,362 carloads and intermodal units from December 2015, reports the American Journal of Transportation.
Thirteen of the 20 carload commodity categories tracked by the AAR reported year-on-year growth in December including coal, up 4.2 per cent; grain, up 10.5 per cent; and chemicals, up 3.9 per cent.
Commodities that saw declines in December 2016 from December 2015 included petroleum and petroleum products, down 17.4 per cent; crushed stone, gravel and sand, down 4.1 per cent; and miscellaneous carloads, down 5.9 per cent.
The AAR said that excluding coal, carloads were up two per cent or 12,787 units in December 2016 from December 2015.
Looking ahead, the AAR pointed out that as previously mentioned, market shifts in the US economy have led to challenges in the freight rail industry, especially as it relates to rail traffic.
Freight railways, therefore, have outlined a series of policy recommendations designed to help preserve and enhance the industry's positive impact on the nation's economy, while allowing for continued safe, efficient and reliable freight transportation service.
Said AAR president and CEO Edward Hamberger: "The freight rail industry will advocate for a simpler and fairer tax code to enhance US economic development, promote growth and reduce debt. Freight railroads will also push for a sustainable funding source that provides for aggressive investment in public infrastructure."
Mr Hamberger also addressed the industry's ongoing concern with a series of proposed regulations before the Surface Transportation Board (STB).
"The freight rail industry is capital intensive and must spend massive amounts of its money to maintain infrastructure and equipment. Current STB proposals would inhibit railroads' ability to continually invest the amount of capital needed to make the 140,000-mile network work for Americans," he said.
"The board should be cognizant of the economic impact our industry and promote regulations that enhance job growth and development," said Mr Hamberger.
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