US DOT Releases Promising Surface Transport Data
Despite the black cloud that is the costs associated with rising fuel prices hanging over the industry, the United States Department of Transportation has released figures that show surface transport is still well utilized.
Overall, the Bureau of 
Transportation Statistics has reported that trade using surface transportation between the United States and its North American Free Trade Agreement partners, Canada and Mexico, was 14.3 percent higher in April 2008 than in April 2007. The final figure of $74.3 billion dollars, being the highest monthly level ever recorded.
Breaking the totals down, the statistics show that surface transportation between the United States and Canada in April totaled some $48.9 billion dollars, up 15.4 percent compared to the same time last year.
The values of products carried by truck also rose over the period, with the value of imports to the United States from Canada rising 1 percent, while exports climbed an impressive 13.1 percent. The state of Michigan led all states in surface trade with Canada, with its contribution totaling $6.4 billion dollars.
Heading south, surface transportation between the United States and Mexico totaled some $25.5 billion dollars in April. An increase of 12.2 percent over the same time last year. The value of Import and export increases were somewhat more balanced than in the north with the figures reading imports by truck increasing by 11.8 percent, while exports measured only slightly lower at 10.9 percent. Texas led all states in surface trade with Mexico in April with a total value of $8 billion dollars in trade.
The United States Department of Transportation classifies surface transportation as consisting of movements by truck, rail and pipeline. About 88 percent of United States trade by value with Canada and Mexico, moves on land.
Source: US Department of Transportation