US: 42% of rail traffic related to international trade, says AAR report

29.03.2017

US: 42% of rail traffic related to international trade, says AAR report
Progressive Railroading, 29 Mar 2017, online:-
US-based Association of American Railroads (AAR) has published its report on the impact of international trade on the freight railroad industry. The report is based 2014 Surface Transportation Board Waybill Sample, other government data and information via US ports and Google Earth. It was found that at least 42% of rail traffic and over 35% of yearly revenue was connected directly to international trade. Around 50,000 domestic rail jobs attributing to over USD 5.50bn (EUR 5.09bn) in yearly wages and benefits were also dependent on international trade. The report also cited the importance of current established economy and possible harm if policies are changed suddenly. Trade-associated rail traffic consisted of coal exports; paper and forest products imports; exports and imports of Mexican and Canadian automotive parts; import of consumer goods from Asia; plastics exports; inter-state iron ore as well as grain transport.
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