Freight Facts and Figures 2011
Table 4-1. Transportation Fixed Assets: 2000-2010
Fixed transportation assets reflect the significant role of both public and private sectors in moving freight. Freight railroad facilities and services are almost entirely private, while private-sector trucks operate over public highways. Air-cargo services in the private sector operate in public airways and mostly public airports, and ships in the private sector serve public waterways and both public and private port facilities. Pipelines are mostly privately owned, although significantly controlled by public regulation. In the public sector, virtually all truck routes are owned by state or local governments. Airports and harbors are typically owned by public authorities, although terminals are usually owned or managed by private operators. Air and water navigation is mostly controlled by the Federal government, and safety is regulated by all levels of government.
Total private and public fixed assets grew from just over $26.9 trillion in 2000 to more than $44.7 trillion in 2010 (current U.S. dollars). Transportation equipment and structures (private and public) accounted for 11 percent of the total in 2010. The components of transportation fixed assets and their 2010 values are private transportation equipment ($1.0 trillion), private transportation structures ($656 billion), and government transportation structures ($3.5 trillion).1
1 Fixed assets are for 2010 and include both passenger and freight transportation. See the Bureau of Economic Analysis at www.bea.gov/national/FA2004/index.asp, tables 2.1, 3.1s, and 7.1b.
Table in Excel format | Historical data
Billions of current dollars
 |
2000 | 2005 | 2009 | 2010 | Percent change, 2000 to 2010 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private Sector | |||||
| Transportation Equipment1 | 828 | 980 | 1,012 | 1,001 | 20.9 |
| Transportation Structures2 | 450 | 557 | 637 | 656 | 45.9 |
| Public Sector | |||||
| Highways | 1,435 | 2,056 | 2,836 | 2,939 | 104.8 |
| Transportation Structures2 | 261 | 413 | 564 | 592 | 126.9 |
| Federal | 6 | 10 | 14 | 14 | 117.2 |
| State and Local | 254 | 403 | 551 | 578 | 127.1 |
1Includes trucks, truck trailers, buses, automobiles, aircraft, ships, boats, and railroad equipment.
2Includes physical structures for all modes of transportation.
Source: U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis, National Economic Accounts, Fixed Assests Tables, tables 2.1, 3.1s, and 7.1b, available at www.bea.gov/iTable/index_FA.cfm as of September 23, 2011.
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