Technical Report Documentation Page

1. Report No.

FHWA-HOP-08-051

2. Government Accession No.

3. Recipient's Catalog No.

4. Title and Subtitle

Freight Story 2008

5. Report Date

November 2008

6. Performing Organization Code

7. Author(s)

Rolf Schmitt, Ed Strocko, and Michael Sprung, Federal Highway Adminstration
Joanne Sedor, Battelle

8. Performing Organization Report No.

9. Performing Organization Name and Address

Battelle
901 D Street, SW, Washington, DC 20024

10. Work Unit No. (TRAIS)

11. Contract or Grant No.

12. Sponsoring Agency Name and Address

U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Highway Administration
Office of Freight Management and Operations
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20590

13. Type of Report and Period Covered

14. Sponsoring Agency Code

15. Supplementary Notes

16. Abstract

The report provides an overview of freight movement on the U.S. transportation system today and in the future. It discusses where the largest freight flows are concentrated and the pressures that existing and anticipated freight volumes place on the system. Special attention is given to freight congestion and its effects on highways, railroads, and waterways. The economic costs to shippers, carriers, and the overall economy also are examined. Finally, the report describes government and private sector efforts to improve freight transportation and mitigate the safety and environmental effects of growing volumes of freight.

17. Key Word

Freight transportation, bulk products, high-value goods, congestion, corridors, emissions, energy use, tons, value, international trade, metropolitan planning organizations, safety, state governments, federal government, U.S. economy

18. Distribution Statement

19. Security Classif. (of this report)

Unclassified

20. Security Classif. (of this page)

Unclassified

21. No. of Pages 44 + Covers

22. Price