Transportation Statistics Annual Report 2012

NHTSA · 2012 · ROSA P / United States. Department of Transportation. Bureau of Transportation Statistics

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Summary

The *Transportation Statistics Annual Report 2012*, published by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), provides a comprehensive statistical overview of the United States transportation system’s extent, condition, usage, and economic impact for the years 2011 and 2012. The report addresses the need for standardized data on transportation safety, infrastructure repair, economic efficiency, and environmental effects, as mandated by the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act. It serves as a reference for policymakers and researchers by compiling data from various federal agencies to characterize the nation’s largest transportation network, which supports nearly 312 million residents and facilitates global trade. The document synthesizes data from multiple sources, including the Federal Highway Administration, Federal Aviation Administration, and the Bureau of Economic Analysis. It categorizes findings into infrastructure characteristics, passenger and freight movement, economic contributions, and performance metrics such as safety and energy use. The analysis covers highways, rail, air, water, transit, and pipelines, utilizing metrics like vehicle-miles traveled, revenue passenger-miles, and capital stock valuations. The report also examines trends from 1990 through 2012, contextualizing recent data against historical highs and recessions. Key findings indicate that the estimated value of U.S. transportation assets exceeded $7 trillion in 2010, with public entities owning half of this value, primarily highways and streets. The system comprises over 4.1 million miles of public roads, 139,000 miles of railroad lines, and 5,000 public-use airports. While infrastructure conditions are generally improving, significant challenges remain: 10.7% of bridges are structurally deficient, and 20% of runways are in fair or poor condition. Freight shipments recovered to pre-recession levels by late 2012, exceeding the recession low by more than 16%. Passenger travel volumes also grew, with for-hire passenger services standing 68.1% higher than in 1990. Transportation accounts for 70.2% of total U.S. petroleum consumption and generates over 1.7 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually. The report concludes that transportation is a critical component of the U.S. economy, supporting 11 million jobs and contributing over $1 trillion in annual purchases and investments. However, it highlights persistent issues in infrastructure maintenance and environmental impact. The BTS identifies gaps in data collection, particularly regarding intermodal connectivity and the state of good repair for certain assets. The findings underscore the system’s resilience following economic downturns but emphasize the need for continued investment in infrastructure upgrades and improved statistical tracking to address safety, congestion, and sustainability challenges.

Key finding

The estimated value of U.S. transportation assets in 2010 was over $7 trillion, with public entities owning one-half of the total value.

Methodology

dataset

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• incidence prevalence

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• Empirical Findings: observational prevalence