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Table 5-10. Energy Intensities of Domestic Freight Modes

Energy intensity is the amount of energy used in producing a given level of output or activity, in this case transportation. Since 1980 the energy intensity of both trucking and freight rail have improved. However, over the same period, domestic freight water transportation, measured by Btu per ton-mile, has become more energy intense.

Table in Excel format

empty Cell 1980 1990 2000 2001 2002
Highway (Btu per vehicle-mile)24,75722,79523,44323,01623,432
Railroad (Class I) (Btu per freight car-mile)18,74216,61914,91715,10815,003
Railroad (Class I) (Btu per ton-mile)597420352346345
Water (Btu per ton-mile)358387473460471

Key: Btu = British thermal unit

Source: Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Transportation Energy Data Book: Edition 24 (Oak Ridge, TN: 2004).

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