BTS Indicators Report Shows Decline In Vehicle Miles-Traveled

Contact BTS 15-01 David Smallen 202-366-5568

Monday, July 9, 2001 -- The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) today released its monthly Transportation Indicators report showing that U.S. highway vehicle-miles traveled declined nearly 1 percent in March 2001 compared with March 2000.

The BTS report is a monthly update of critical transportation information that details the impact of transportation on the nation’s economy and society.

Dr. Ashish Sen, BTS Director, said, "Transportation Indicators report offers easy-to-use information to portray the trends taking place throughout the transportation system."

Transportation Indicators provides information on more than 90 trends in the areas of safety, mobility, economic growth, the human and natural environment, and national security. The monthly report, which is available at www.bts.gov, provides information to address specific transportation issues and to assist in the effort led by BTS to make transportation information more accurate, reliable and timely. Updated reports will be available on the BTS website the fourth week of every month.

Other trends highlighted in this month’s report are:

• Food and farm products shipped on U.S. inland waterways declined nearly 33 percent in May 2001 compared to the same month last year.
• Personal expenditures on motor vehicles and parts increased 5 percent in the first quarter of 2001 compared with the previous quarter.
• The price of public transportation (seasonally adjusted) increased 1 percent from April to May of this year, but declined nearly the same amount when compared with May 2000.
• The price U.S. industries paid for crude petroleum declined nearly 3 percent in May 2001 compared to May 2000, while the price for petroleum products rose more than 13 percent over the same period.
• Employment in transportation and transportation-related industries increased slightly in May 2001 as total civilian employment showed a slight decline.
• Employment in motor vehicle and equipment manufacturing declined 1.6 percent from April to May 2001 (seasonally adjusted).
• Manufacturing inventory to sales ratio increased nearly 1 percent in April 2001 from the previous month. The ratio has been on a generally upward trajectory since reaching its low point in March 2000.
• Manufacturers’ new orders fell 3 percent (seasonally adjusted) between March and April 2001, and are down 14 percent since reaching their peak in June 2000.
• Manufacturers’ new orders for transportation equipment declined nearly 10 percent in April 2001 from the previous month (seasonally adjusted).
• Sales of medium and heavy trucks were 23 percent lower in May 2001 compared to May 2000. Car sales were 2 percent lower. Light trucks showed little change.
• Retail gas prices (average all grades) and retail on-highway diesel prices declined nearly 2 percent for the week of June 11.
• The value of goods carried in U.S. truck trade with Canada and Mexico declined 10 percent and 5 percent, respectively, in March 2001 compared to March 2000.
• Transportation energy consumption declined more than 2 percent in February 2001 compared to February 2000.

Continual updating of information on trends will help in developing forecasts for the future, both within the department and outside. The monthly report will also help transportation decision-makers spot changes that might require rapid action.