Freight Facts and Figures 2010
Table 5-3. Accidents by Freight Transportation Mode: 1980-2009
The number of crashes and other freight transportation accidents have declined in all modes except water in recent years, despite an increase in freight transportation activity.
Table in Excel format | Historical data
 |
1980 | 1990 | 2000 | 2008 | 2009 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highway (passenger and freight) | NA | 6,471,000 | 6,394,000 | 5,811,000 | NA |
| Large truck1 | NA | 371,801 | 437,861 | 380,000 | NA |
| Large truck1 (percent of total) | NA | 5.7 | 6.8 | 6.5 | NA |
| Rail (passenger and freight) | |
|
|
|
|
| Highway-rail grade crossing2,3 | 10,612 | 5,715 | 3,502 | (R) 2,410 | 1,909 |
| Railroad2,4 | 8,205 | 2,879 | 2,983 | (R) 2,461 | 1,878 |
| Waterborne (passenger and freight) | |
|
|
|
|
| Vessel-related | 4,624 | 3,613 | 5,403 | 5,599 | 5,475 |
| Pipeline | |
|
|
|
|
| Hazardous liquid pipeline | 246 | 180 | 146 | (R) 120 | 102 |
| Gas pipeline | 1,524 | 198 | 234 | (R) 274 | 265 |
Key: NA = not available; R = revised.
1Large trucks are defined as trucks over the 10,000 pound gross vehicle weight rating, including single-unit trucks and truck tractors.
2Includes Amtrak.
3Includes both accidents and incidents. Most highway-rail grade crossing accidents are also counted under highway.
4Train accidents only.
Sources:
Highway: U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, National Center for Statistics and Analysis, Traffic Safety Facts, Large Trucks (annual issues). 2008-2009: U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, National Center for Statistics and Analysis, Traffic Safety Facts - Highlights (August 2010).
Highway-Rail Grade Crossings: U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Railroad Administration, Office of Safety Analysis, available at safetydata.fra.dot.gov/officeofsafety/default.asp as of August 13, 2010.
Waterborne: U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Coast Guard, Data Administration Division, personal communication, November 3, 2010.
Pipeline: U.S. Department of Transportation, Research and Innovative Technology Administration, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, National Transportation Statistics, available at www.bts.gov as of August 13, 2010.
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