Railroad Passengers Carried One Mile for United States
A030DBUSA251NNBR • Economic Data from Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED)
Latest Value
18.50
Year-over-Year Change
-51.70%
Date Range
1/1/1916 - 1/1/1935
Summary
The 'Railroad Passengers Carried One Mile for United States' metric measures the total distance traveled by railroad passengers in the United States. This trend is an important indicator of transportation and economic activity.
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 series tracks the total number of passenger-miles traveled on U.S. railroads. It serves as a key measure of passenger rail usage and transportation infrastructure performance across the country.
Methodology
The data is collected by the U.S. Department of Transportation through surveys of railroad operators.
Historical Context
Policymakers and transportation analysts use this metric to assess the utilization and capacity of the national rail network.
Key Facts
- U.S. railroad passenger-miles peaked in 1945 at over 94 billion.
- Passenger rail usage declined sharply in the late 20th century but has stabilized in recent decades.
- Amtrak carried over 31 million passengers in 2019, the highest level since the company's founding in 1971.
FAQs
Q: What does this economic trend measure?
A: The 'Railroad Passengers Carried One Mile' metric tracks the total distance traveled by passengers on U.S. railroads.
Q: Why is this trend relevant for users or analysts?
A: This indicator provides insight into the usage and performance of the national passenger rail network, which is an important component of the country's transportation infrastructure and economic activity.
Q: How is this data collected or calculated?
A: The data is collected through surveys of railroad operators by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Q: How is this trend used in economic policy?
A: Policymakers and transportation analysts use this metric to assess the capacity and utilization of the rail system, which informs infrastructure investment decisions and transportation policy.
Q: Are there update delays or limitations?
A: The data is published on a monthly basis, but there may be a several-month lag in the most recent figures being available.
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Citation
U.S. Federal Reserve, Railroad Passengers Carried One Mile for United States (A030DBUSA251NNBR), retrieved from FRED.