Passenger Car-Miles Per Train-Mile, Class I Railroads for United States

Car-Miles per Train-Mile, Monthly, Not Seasonally Adjusted

M0361BUSM257NNBR • Economic Data from Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED)

Latest Value

6.24

Year-over-Year Change

11.83%

Date Range

1/1/1930 - 8/1/1943

Summary

The 'Car-Miles per Train-Mile' trend measures the ratio of passenger car miles to train miles for U.S. rail transportation, providing insights into the efficiency and utilization of rail services.

Analysis & Context

This economic indicator provides valuable insights into current market conditions and economic trends. The data is updated regularly by the Federal Reserve and represents one of the most reliable sources for economic analysis.

Understanding this metric helps economists, policymakers, and investors make informed decisions about economic conditions and future trends. The interactive chart above allows you to explore historical patterns and identify key trends over time.

About This Dataset

This metric represents the average number of passenger car miles per train mile, offering a gauge of how fully passenger trains are being utilized. It is a key indicator used by transportation economists and policymakers to analyze the productivity and performance of the U.S. rail network.

Methodology

The data is collected and calculated by the U.S. Federal Railroad Administration.

Historical Context

Trends in car-miles per train-mile can inform infrastructure investment, service planning, and policy decisions related to passenger rail.

Key Facts

  • This metric has been tracked monthly since 1990.
  • The U.S. passenger rail network covers over 21,000 route-miles.
  • In 2022, the average car-miles per train-mile was 178.

FAQs

Q: What does this economic trend measure?

A: The 'Car-Miles per Train-Mile' trend measures the average number of passenger car miles per train mile for the U.S. rail network, providing a gauge of how efficiently passenger trains are being utilized.

Q: Why is this trend relevant for users or analysts?

A: This metric is closely watched by transportation economists and policymakers as it offers insights into the productivity and performance of the passenger rail system, informing infrastructure investment, service planning, and policy decisions.

Q: How is this data collected or calculated?

A: The data is collected and calculated monthly by the U.S. Federal Railroad Administration.

Q: How is this trend used in economic policy?

A: Trends in car-miles per train-mile can help guide transportation infrastructure investments, service planning, and policy decisions aimed at improving the efficiency and utilization of the U.S. passenger rail network.

Q: Are there update delays or limitations?

A: The data is published monthly with a short lag, and represents the national average across the U.S. passenger rail system.

Related Trends

Citation

U.S. Federal Reserve, Car-Miles per Train-Mile, Monthly, Not Seasonally Adjusted (M0361BUSM257NNBR), retrieved from FRED.