North American Trade & Transportation News Truck Crossings Annual Release: 2001
Truck Crossing Traffic Entering the U.S. Declined In 2001 in First Drop Since NAFTA Began

Contact BTS 13-02 David Smallen 202-366-5568

Friday, June 14, 2002 -- Truck crossings into the United States from Canada and Mexico fell by 4.2 percent from 2000 to 2001, the first annual decline since the North American Free Trade Agreement among the three countries took effect in 1994, according to new border crossing data released today by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

Total truck crossings into the United States dropped from 11.6 million in 2000 to 11.1 million in 2001. The decreases were similar in magnitude on both U.S. borders. Truck crossings from Canada fell from more than 7 million in 2000 to 6.8 million in 2001, or 3.8 percent. Those crossings into the United States from Mexico fell from more than 4.5 million in 2000 to 4.3 million in 2001, or 4.9 percent.

This information is based on data collected by the U.S. Customs Service and represents the number of truck crossings, not unique vehicles.

The three steepest percentage drops were in Michigan, the leading state of entry on the Canadian border; Texas, the leading state of entry on the Mexican border; and Washington. Other states reported lesser declines and two states had increases. On the U.S.-Canada border, incoming truck crossing volumes fell more than 7 percent at Detroit and Blaine, WA, two of the top 10 ports nationwide. Incoming truck traffic processed at El Paso and Brownsville, TX decreased by the largest percentages on the U.S-Mexico border.

On a national level, incoming truck crossings in 2001 declined from 2000 for all months except January. Declines at certain border ports seemed to have been linked to heightened security following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11th, 2001, as well as to a downturn in the U.S. economy. Truck entries into the U.S. dropped by more than 8 percent in September 2001 from September 2000.

More intense scrutiny of conveyances, cargo, and people entering the U.S. slowed truck crossings at the busiest and most congested points in September 2001 and may have redirected some traffic through smaller ports. Among the top 5 ports for incoming truck crossings in 2001, Detroit, Buffalo-Niagara, NY, and Otay Mesa, CA all had their largest monthly percentage declines from 2000 levels in September 2001.

More detailed information on total truck crossings and crossings by state can be found in the attached tables. Additional information on border crossing/entry can be obtained by calling the BTS Info Line at 800-853-1351.

Other international transportation reports and datasets are available at: http://www.bts.gov/itt/ These data are provided by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 400 7th Street, SW, Room 3103, Washington, DC 20590. Non-press contact: 800-853-1351 or .