BTS 10-15 Thursday, February 26, 2015 Contact: Dave Smallen Tel.: (202) 366-5568
BTS Releases December 2014 North American Freight Numbers
U.S.-NAFTA freight totaled $95.8 billion in December 2014 as four out of five transportation modes – truck, rail, air, and pipeline – carried more U.S.-NAFTA freight than in December 2013, according to data released today by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS). Year-over-year, the value of U.S.-NAFTA freight flows by all modes increased by 5.4 percent, with December marking the 11thconsecutive month of year-over-year increases.
The value of NAFTA trade by vessel declined in December due to the reduced price of mineral fuels. The rise in total pipeline freight value took place despite a decline in cost per unit, due to an increase in the volume of freight.
Freight by Mode In December 2014 compared to December 2013, the value of commodities moving by truck grew by the largest percentage of any mode, 9.3 percent. Rail freight increased by 8.3 percent, air rose by 6.3 percent, and pipeline grew by 4.0 percent. Vessel freight decreased by 22.6 percent, mainly due to lower mineral fuel prices.
Trucks carried 59.2 percent of U.S.-NAFTA freight and were the most heavily utilized mode for moving goods to and from both U.S.-NAFTA partners. Trucks accounted for $28.4 billion of the $52.5 billion of imports (54.0 percent) and $28.4 billion of the $43.3 billion of exports (65.6 percent).
Rail remained the second largest mode, moving 15.1 percent of all U.S.-NAFTA freight, followed by vessel, 8.3 percent; pipeline, 8.0 percent; and air, 4.1 percent. The surface transportation modes of truck, rail and pipeline carried 82.3 percent of the total U.S.-NAFTA freight flows.
U.S.-Canada Freight U.S.-Canada freight totaled $53.1 billion in December 2014 as three out of five transportation modes – rail, truck, and pipeline – carried more U.S.-Canada freight than in December 2013. Year-over-year, the value of U.S.-Canada freight flows by all modes increased by 4.7 percent. The value of U.S.-Canada trade by rail increased the most of any mode, growing by 8.1 percent. Truck freight increased by 5.2 percent and pipeline rose by 2.6 percent. The rise in total pipeline freight value took place despite a decline in cost per unit, due to an increase in the volume of U.S. imports of mineral fuels. Air freight decreased by 1.8 percent. Vessel freight fell by 12.5 percent mainly due to lower mineral fuel prices.
Trucks carried 52.6 percent of the $53.1 billion of freight to and from Canada, followed by rail, 16.0 percent; pipeline, 13.6 percent; vessel, 5.9 percent and air, 4.5 percent. The surface transportation modes of truck, rail and pipeline carried 82.2 percent of the total U.S.-Canada freight flows.
U.S.-Mexico Freight U.S.-Mexico freight totaled $42.8 billion in December 2014 as four out of five transportation modes – pipeline, air, truck and rail – carried more U.S.-Mexico freight than in December 2013. Year-over-year, the value of U.S.-Mexico freight flows by all modes increased by 6.3 percent. The value of U.S.-Mexico pipeline freight rose 34.5 percent, the largest percentage increase of any mode. The rise in total pipeline freight value took place despite a decline in cost per unit, due to an increase in the volume of U.S. exports of mineral fuels. Pipeline freight remained 1.0 percent of total U.S.-Mexico freight value, the lowest value of any mode. Freight moved by air increased 22.3 percent, truck rose by 13.7 percent and rail rose by 8.5 percent. Freight carried by vessel decreased 28.0 percent mainly due to lower mineral fuel prices.
Trucks carried 67.5 percent of the $42.8 billion of freight to and from Mexico, followed by rail, 14.0 percent; vessel, 11.3 percent; air, 3.5 percent; and pipeline, 1.0 percent. The surface transportation modes of truck, rail and pipeline carried 82.5 percent of the total U.S.-Mexico freight flows.
See BTS Transborder Data Release for summary tables and additional data. See North American Transborder Freight Data on the BTS website for additional data for surface modes since 1995 and all modes since 2004.
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BTS Releases December 2014 North American Freight Numbers
U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx Announces Over 85 Cities Have Signed Up for “Mayors’ Challenge for Safer People and Safer Streets”
DOT 18-15
U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx Announces Over 85 Cities Have Signed Up for “Mayors’ Challenge for Safer People and Safer Streets” WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx announced that more than 85 cities have signed up so far to participate in the U.S. Department of Transportation’s “Mayors’ Challenge for Safer People and Safer Streets.” Mayors and team leaders from each city will attend a Safer People, Safer Streets Summit in March and then take significant action over the next year to improve pedestrian and bicycle transportation safety in their communities. “Strong local leadership is essential to making safety gains in a community, so I’m thrilled to see so many Mayors from across the country joining our Challenge,” said Secretary Foxx. “With Mayors signing up from small towns and large cities to prioritize bicycle and pedestrian safety, I know we’ll be able to reduce fatalities and injuries while making our roads safer for all users.” While overall highway fatalities have been declining, pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities have been on the rise in recent years and now represent nearly 17 percent of total fatalities. The Mayors’ Challenge aims to reduce this trend through seven Challenge activities that are based on the latest pedestrian and bicyclist safety innovations. More cities and other jurisdictions are expected to sign up for the Challenge before it officially begins on March 12 with a Mayoral Summit, which will be held at the U.S. Department of Transportation headquarters in Washington, DC. Participants will discuss how to implement or build upon the Challenge’s seven activity areas, learn about USDOT and stakeholder resources they can use during the Challenge, and network with their peers. The Mayors’ Challenge is a vital piece of Secretary Foxx’s overall pedestrian and bicycle safety initiative. In September, Secretary Foxx announced the launch of the Safer People, Safer Streets initiative and asked USDOT field offices to conduct road safety assessments in every state, which will be completed this spring. In March 2016, cities participating in the Challenge will reconvene for a capstone meeting to share lessons learned and celebrate their success. Click here for additional information pertaining to the Mayor’s Challenge. The cities that have signed up to participate in the Challenge include:
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BTS Releases December 2014 Passenger Airline Employment Data
BTS 09 -15 BTS Releases December 2014 Passenger Airline Employment DataU.S. scheduled passenger airlines employed 386,219 workers in December 2014, 1.4 percent more than in December 2013, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) reported today. December was the 13th consecutive month that full-time equivalent (FTE) employment for U.S. scheduled passenger airlines was higher than the same month of the previous year. The December 2014 FTE total for scheduled passenger airlines was 5,410 more than in December 2013. Scheduled passenger airline categories include network, low-cost, regional and other airlines. The five network airlines that collectively employ two-thirds of the scheduled passenger airline FTEs reported 0.8 percent more FTEs in December 2014 than in December 2013. Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and US Airways increased FTEs from December 2013 while United Airlines reduced FTEs. Network airlines operate a significant portion of their flights using at least one hub where connections are made for flights to down-line destinations or spoke cities. The six low-cost carriers reported 4.4 percent more FTEs in December 2014 than in December 2013. Allegiant Airlines, Spirit Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines and Virgin America – all reported increases. Low-cost airlines operate under a low-cost business model, with infrastructure and aircraft operating costs below the overall industry average. The 13 regional carriers reported 0.2 percent fewer FTEs in December 2014 than in December 2013. Seven regional airlines – PSA Airlines, Shuttle America, Mesa Airlines, Republic Airlines, Compass Airlines, Horizon Air and GoJet Airlines – reported increased employment levels. The others reported decreases. Regional carriers typically provide service from small cities, using primarily regional jets to support the network carriers’ hub and spoke systems. See Passenger Airline Employment press release for summary tables and additional data. Historical employment data can be found on the BTS web site. ###
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Press Release – DOT and FAA Propose New Rules for Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems
Press Release – DOT and FAA Propose New Rules for Small Unmanned Aircraft SystemsContact: DOT Contact: Suzi Emmerling Phone: 202-365-1763 FAA Contact: Laura J Brown Phone: 202-359-3680Regulations will facilitate integration of small UAS into U.S. aviation systemWASHINGTON – The Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration today proposed a framework of regulations that would allow routine use of certain small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in today’s aviation system, while maintaining flexibility to accommodate future technological innovations. The FAA proposal offers safety rules for small UAS (under 55 pounds) conducting non-recreational operations. The rule would limit flights to daylight and visual-line-of-sight operations. It also addresses height restrictions, operator certification, optional use of a visual observer, aircraft registration and marking, and operational limits. The proposed rule also includes extensive discussion of the possibility of an additional, more flexible framework for “micro” UAS under 4.4 pounds. The FAA is asking the public to comment on this possible classification to determine whether it should include this option as part of a final rule. The FAA is also asking for comment about how the agency can further leverage the UAS test site program and an upcoming UAS Center of Excellence to further spur innovation at “innovation zones.” The public will be able to comment on the proposed regulation for 60 days from the date of publication in the Federal Register, which can be found atwww.regulations.gov. Separate from this proposal, the FAA intends to hold public meetings to discuss innovation and opportunities at the test sites and Center of Excellence. These meetings will be announced in a future Federal Register notice. “Technology is advancing at an unprecedented pace and this milestone allows federal regulations and the use of our national airspace to evolve to safely accommodate innovation,” said Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. The proposed rule would require an operator to maintain visual line of sight of a small UAS. The rule would allow, but not require, an operator to work with a visual observer who would maintain constant visual contact with the aircraft. The operator would still need to be able to see the UAS with unaided vision (except for glasses). The FAA is asking for comments on whether the rules should permit operations beyond line of sight, and if so, what the appropriate limits should be. “We have tried to be flexible in writing these rules,” said FAA Administrator Michael Huerta. “We want to maintain today’s outstanding level of aviation safety without placing an undue regulatory burden on an emerging industry.” Under the proposed rule, the person actually flying a small UAS would be an “operator.” An operator would have to be at least 17 years old, pass an aeronautical knowledge test and obtain an FAA UAS operator certificate. To maintain certification, the operator would have to pass the FAA knowledge tests every 24 months. A small UAS operator would not need any further private pilot certifications (i.e., a private pilot license or medical rating). The new rule also proposes operating limitations designed to minimize risks to other aircraft and people and property on the ground:
The proposed rule maintains the existing prohibition against operating in a careless or reckless manner. It also would bar an operator from allowing any object to be dropped from the UAS. Operators would be responsible for ensuring an aircraft is safe before flying, but the FAA is not proposing that small UAS comply with current agency airworthiness standards or aircraft certification. For example, an operator would have to perform a preflight inspection that includes checking the communications link between the control station and the UAS. Small UAS with FAA-certificated components also could be subject to agency airworthiness directives. The new rules would not apply to model aircraft. However, model aircraft operators must continue to satisfy all of the criteria specified in Sec. 336 of Public Law 112-95, including the stipulation that they be operated only for hobby or recreational purposes. Generally speaking, the new rules would not apply to government aircraft operations, because we expect that these government operations will typically continue to actively operate under the Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA) process unless the operator opts to comply with and fly under the new small UAS regulations. In addition to this proposal, earlier today, the White House issued a Presidential Memorandum concerning transparency, accountability, and privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties protections for the Federal Government’s use of UAS in the national airspace system which directs the initiation of a multi-stakeholder engagement process to develop a framework for privacy, accountability, and transparency issues concerning commercial and private UAS use. The current unmanned aircraft rules remain in place until the FAA implements a final new rule. The FAA encourages new operators to visit: You can view the FAA’s Small UAS Notice of Proposed Rulemaking later today at: An overview of the Small UAS rule can be viewed at: You can view the fact sheet at: For more information on the FAA and UAS, visit: http://www.faa.gov/uas/
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BTS Releases November 2014 U.S. Airline Traffic Data
BTS 08-15 BTS Releases November 2014 U.S. Airline Traffic DataThe U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) reported today that U.S. airlines’ systemwide (domestic and international) scheduled service load factor – a measure of the use of airline capacity – fell to 82.6 percent in November, seasonally adjusted, after remaining virtually unchanged for four consecutive months. Seasonal adjustment allows the comparing of monthly load factors to all other months. The November load factor of 82.6 was the lowest since the July 2012 load factor of 82.5. U.S. airlines’ load factor reached a seasonally-adjusted all-time high of 84.4 in January 2014 and gradually declined throughout the year. Load factor is a measure of the use of aircraft capacity that compares the system use, measured in Revenue Passenger-Miles (RPMs) as a proportion of system capacity, measured in Available Seat-Miles (ASMs). The seasonally-adjusted load factor fell from October to November as a result of a decline in RPMs and an increase in ASMs. BTS is replacing previous monthly Air Traffic press releases with this monthly press release using seasonally-adjusted data. Trends: Seasonally-adjusted Systemwide load factors gradually declined throughout 2014. Load factors have generally increased because demand, measured in RPMs, has increased at a faster pace since the recession than capacity, measured in ASMs. In November, demand declined from the all-time high in October while capacity increased slightly to the highest level since the recession. Systemwide enplanements also remain below pre-recession levels, held down by the slow growth in domestic enplanements. The record levels of international enplanements in 2014 combined with all-time high RPMs shows strong demand for longer distance flights. Unadjusted Systemwide: Demand, measured in RPMs, reached an all-time high for the month of November. The number of passengers and capacity, measured in ASMs, although increased from November 2013, remained below the all-time highs for the month of November set in 2007. See Air Traffic Release for summary tables and additional data. Additional traffic data can be found on the BTS Airlines and Airports page. Click on a link in the Quick Links box on the right. For more historical data, see Traffic on the BTS website. See Seasonal Adjustment for methodology and additional explanation. See data for airline data since 2000 as well as seasonally-adjusted data for rail, transit, pipelines, trucking and waterways.
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