U.S. Freight Railroads and Trade: By the Numbers | GoRail

U.S. Freight Railroads and Trade: By the Numbers | GoRail

Washington, D.C. — A March 29 report from the Association of American Railroads (AAR) offers a compelling look at the relationship between North American railroads and international trade. While we already knew that freight railroads haul about one-third of U.S. exports, the new data goes further in demonstrating the depth of rail’s ties to trade.

When American companies conduct trade, they directly support “a huge swath of freight rail operations.” By the numbers:

• 42% of rail carloads and intermodal units are directly associated with international trade;

• 35% of annual rail revenue is directly associated with international trade;

• 50,000 rail jobs, worth over $5.5 billion in annual wages and benefits, depend directly on trade.