Freight weights to rise over 60% by 2040
WASHINGTON – The US DOT predicts freight tonnage will increase by 61 percent in the next 30 years.
According to the Federal Highway Administration’s new Freight Analysis Framework, freight on all modes of transport is primed for growth in the new few decades.
After declines in 2008 and 2009, estimates indicate a growth rate of 1.6 percent per year, reaching 27.1 billion tons by 2040. That’s a 61-percent boost in tons from current levels.
Trucks, not surprisingly, will remain single most-used mode to move long distance freight, although other modes such as rail and intermodal should experience some growth in marketshare.
Trucks moved 69 percent of the weight and 65 percent of the value in 2007, while intermodal goods accounted for 18 percent of the value and is forecast to grow to nearly 27 percent by 2040.
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