DOT publishes new report on freight transportation

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), both branches of the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT), published the “Freight Analysis Framework,” a report on the latest data from freight transportation, on Tuesday.

The report, the first product of its kind, is the most comprehensive publicly accessible data set pertaining to freight movement and includes data on the amount and types of goods transported between metropolitan areas, states and regions by land, sea and air.

“BTS’ Transportation Services Index issued last week shows that freight on the nation’s transportation system has grown by almost a third since the low point during the recession in April 2009,” BTS Director Patricia Hu said. “Today’s release of the new Freight Analysis Framework, built on BTS’ Commodity Flow Survey, is the first in a series of tools that will help officials at all levels of government plan for continued freight growth.”

Analysts evaluated the data and found that there has been an increase in the dollar value of goods that are transported using the network.

USDOT recently released the National Freight Strategic Plan draft, which provides specific policy solutions and proposals to face the increasing problems in transporting freight in the U.S.

“A transportation network that can support the freight needs of this country is essential to a healthy economy,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said. “The need for infrastructure investment is growing more urgent every day.”