Appendix A: Overview of Transportation Statistics in Canada, Mexico and the United States

Overview of Transportation Statistics in Canada

Overview of the Canadian Statistical System

The Canadian statistical system is relatively centralized. Statistics Canada is legislated, pursuant to the Statistics Act, as the central agency to collect, compile, analyze and publish statistical information relating to the commercial, industrial, financial, social, economic and general activities and condition of the Canadian people. However, all federal, provincial and territorial departments and agencies maintain statistical and administrative information in support of their roles and activities.

Specific Sources of Canadian Transportation and Transportation Related Data and Information

In addition to Statistics Canada, other organizations identified as collecting and/or maintaining transportation-related information include: Transport Canada, Canadian Coast Guard/Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Transportation Safety Board of Canada, Pilotage Authorities, and Railway Association of Canada. The following section discusses the roles and responsibilities of these agencies and organizations. This list represents many of the Canadian sources used in this publication, but should not be viewed as exhaustive. A brief description of each organization's general mission and functions is provided as well as its specific data activities. However, detailed information on agency data activities are not described extensively here. Additional information on specific surveys, methodologies, dissemination and other items can be found at the web sites of individual organizations described below.

Statistics Canada

Web site: www.statcan.ca

Statistics Canada is Canada's national statistical agency, with programs organized into three broad subject matter areas: demographic and social; socio-economic; and economic. Under the Statistics Act, Statistics Canada is required to collect, compile, analyze, abstract and publish statistical information on virtually every aspect of Canada's society and economy.

Statistics Canada is divided into about 60 divisions, each of which is responsible for a particular activity in the collection, processing or dissemination of statistics. These divisions are grouped together into the following six fields: (1) Business and Trade Statistics, (2) National Accounts and Analytical Studies, (3) Social, Institutional and Labor Statistics, (4) Informatics and Methodology, (5) Management Services and (6) Communications and Operations. Each of these fields reports to the Chief Statistician of Canada. Many divisions function as regular producers of a particular set of data, which is why there often will be a particular subject matter division identified as the originating source of data from Statistics Canada. Statistics are collected from different sources and in different ways. Statistics Canada data are generally produced from surveys but also can be generated as a by-product of administrative activities.

Business and Trade Statistics Field

The Business and Trade Statistics Field at Statistics Canada produces a wide range of monthly, quarterly and annual statistics on manufacturing, primary industries, transportation, communications, computing, construction, agriculture, merchandising services, external trade, prices, business finance, science and technology, small business, public finance, regional industrial structure and related areas. The Industry Statistics Branch and the Prices, International Trade and Finance Statistics Branch comprise the Business and Trade Statistics Field. The Industry Statistics Branch covers agriculture; transportation; distributive trades; manufacturing, construction and energy; and services. The Prices, International Trade and Finance Statistics Branch covers industrial organization and finance, international trade, investment and capital stock, prices, science and technology and small business and special surveys. The Transportation; International Trade; and Manufacturing, Construction and Energy divisions are major contributors to Canadian transportation data, and are described in more detail below.

Transportation Division. The Transportation Division collects, publishes and makes available statistics on air, rail, road and water transportation industries and on related traffic and infrastructures. The Transportation Division includes among its activities, the Aviation Statistics Centre, a Surface and Marine Section and a Multimodal unit. The Aviation Statistics Centre covers statistics on air carrier financial and operating statistics; air traffic at Canadian airports; volume of cargo; origin and destination of scheduled air passengers travelling within Canada, between Canada and the United States and internationally; international and domestic air charter statistics; airport activity and traffic flow; fare type statistics; aircraft utilization.

The Surface and Marine Section and Multimodal unit cover railway financial and operating statistics, equipment and length of track, fuel consumption and employment statistics, freight and passenger traffic, freight loaded, receipts from and deliveries to U.S. rail connection, commodity movement between provinces and to and from U.S. regions, motor vehicle registrations and related licenses, gross and net sales of motor fuels. The Surface and Marine Section also includes trucking and marine units. The Trucking unit covers financial and operating statistics on motor carriers of freight; domestic, and international commodity origin-destination statistics of the Canadian domiciled for-hire trucking industry (domestic and international); private trucking statistics. The Marine unit covers financial and operating statistics on water carriers, including number and kind of vessels, employment, fuel consumption, type of service; shipping and port activities; commodities loaded and unloaded; containerized commodities; ports of loading and unloading; number, kind, operating status and registry (flag) of vessels arriving at and leaving Canadian ports; foreign port of origin, or destination.

Manufacturing, Construction and Energy Division. The Manufacturing, Construction and Energy Division conducts monthly surveys on manufacturing, forestry, construction and energy to produce a range of current indicators such as shipments or sales, inventories and orders. The division also conducts annual surveys covering manufacturing, forestry, construction, mineral fuels, pipelines and utility industries to produce a range of cost structure, material input, commodity output and employment data.

International Trade Division. The International Trade Division is responsible for the compilation, analysis and dissemination of Canada's merchandise exports and import statistics, including mode of transportation information, and related price and volume indexes. Beginning with the year 1996, a weight variable (in kilograms or metric tons) for each commodity traded internationally became available.

National Accounts and Analytical Studies Field

The National Accounts and Analytical Studies Field at Statistics Canada is responsible for providing a set of macroeconomic series within the five complex frameworks of the Canadian System of National Accounts. It provides a broad band of research and analysis intended to animate society's perception of social and economic behavior, and undertakes research and development statistical techniques. Two branches, Analytical Studies and the System of National Accounts, comprise the National Accounts and Analytical Studies Field. The Analytical Studies Branch covers business and labor market analysis, current economic analysis, family and community support systems, microeconomic studies and analysis and social and economic studies. The System of National Accounts Branch covers the balance of payments, industry measures and analysis, input-output, national accounts and environment and public institutions. The Balance of Payments, Input-Output, National Accounts and Environment and Public Institution divisions are major contributors to Canadian transportation data, and are described in more detail below.

Balance of Payments Division. The Balance of Payments Division produces statistics on transactions and positions between Canada and other countries.

Input-Output Division. The Input-Output Division develops annual input-output tables and annual labor and multifactor productivity accounts for the business sector industries in Canada, interprovincial input-output tables with trade flows on an occasional basis and structural economic models of the Canadian and Provincial economies.

National Accounts and Environment Division. The National Accounts and Environment Division is responsible for the conceptual and statistical integration of Statistics within the System of National Accounts.

Public Institutions Division. The Public Institutions Division produces statistics on the financial activities and employment of the Canadian public sector.

Social, Institutional and Labor Statistics Field

The Social, Institutional and Labor Statistics Field at Statistics Canada conducts a wide range of statistical programs dealing with virtually all aspects of the social, institutional and labor market characteristics and activities of Canadians. The field is comprised of the Census and Demographic Statistical Branch, the Institutional and Social Statistics Branch and the Labor and Household Survey Branch. The Census and Demographic Statistical Branch covers census analysis; census operations; demography; and housing, family and social statistics. The Institutional and Social Statistics Branch covers culture, tourism, health and the Centre for Education Statistics. The Labor and Household Survey Branch covers household surveys, labor and household surveys analysis, labor and special surveys. The Census Operations; Labor and Household Surveys Analysis; and Culture, Tourism and Centre for Education Statistics divisions are major contributors to Canadian transportation data, and are described in more detail below.

Census Operations Division. The Census Operations Division is responsible for the planning, development and implementation of all production-related operations of the periodic decennial and quinquennial censuses of population, Canada's national inventory of key social-economic phenomena.

Labor and Household Surveys Analysis Division. The Labor and Household Surveys Analysis Division provides resources for the content, analysis and evaluation of income and labor market related data, including data on labor force status, occupation, labor compensation, pensions, industry, individual and family income and expenditure, for both census and sample surveys.

Culture, Tourism and the Centre for Education Statistics Division. The Culture, Tourism and the Centre for Education Statistics Division is responsible for Cultural Statistics, the Travel and Tourism Programs and Education Statistics. The Travel and Tourism Statistics Program manages two surveys: the Canadian Travel Survey (which measures Canadian domestic travel) and the International Travel Survey (which provides statistics on Canadian and Foreign international tourist movements). Statistics Canada is a major user of this information, in particular for the purpose of providing estimates of receipts and payments for the Travel Account component of the Balance of Payments. The information also is used by the National Accounts and Environment Division for the purpose of maintaining the Tourism Satellite Account, which provides a means of measuring tourism activities in relation to other economic activities in Canada. Other federal and provincial departments as well as many private-sector business use tourism data to monitor market share and develop business strategies.

Informatics and Methodology Field

The Informatics and Methodology Field at Statistics Canada ensures that the statistical methodology used by all surveys is sound and statistically efficient, and provides leadership for and management of information processing in Statistics Canada. The field is comprised of the Classification Systems Branch; the Informatics Branch and the Methodology Branch. The Classification Systems Branch covers business register, geography, standards and tax data. The Informatics Branch covers informatic users services, the main computer center and systems development. The Methodology Branch covers business and social survey methods. The Business Register, Geography and Standards divisions are major contributors to Canadian transportation data, and are described in more detail below.

Business Register Division. The Business Register Division is responsible for the development and maintenance of a central register of firms and their constituent establishments for purposes of statistical collections.

Geography Division. The Geography Division maintains Statistics Canada's geographic classification infrastructure, develops geographic concepts and products and services for clients, including the census, and is the centre of expertise in the application of computerized geographic and cartographic techniques.

Standards Division. The Standards Division develops standard classifications, monitors their implementation and establishes official concordances between international and Canadian classifications. It standardizes economic and social concepts, and provides a system of comprehensive documentation for all surveys conducted in Statistics Canada. The Division played an important role in the development of the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) and more recently with the development of the North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS).

Management Services Field

The Management Services Field at Statistics Canada organizes and coordinates internal management services, including the development and implementation of all management policies and systems within the agency and the assessment of the efficiency and effectiveness of these programs.

Communications and Operations Field

The Communications and Operations Field at Statistics Canada provides a full range of external communication functions, including respondent, user and media relations. It also administers the central and regional operational functions essential to the conduct of the agency's statistical programs, including regional data collection and processing activities, marketing, publishing and electronic data dissemination. The field is comprised of the Marketing and Information Services Branch and the Regional Operations Branch. The Marketing and Information Services Branch is responsible for communications, dissemination and marketing. The Regional Operations Branch is responsible for advisory services and survey operations. The Advisory Services Division provides an information dissemination network across the country through nine regional Reference Centres. Each Reference Centre has a collection of current publications and reference documents that provide customized output and analysis for a fee. The location of the regional reference centres can be found in all Statistics Canada publications, or at the Statistics Canada web site: www.statcan.ca/english/reference/Refcentre/refdoc.html

Transport Canada

Web site: www.tc.gc.ca

Transport Canada has traditionally played a key role in delivering a safe and efficient transportation system. With passage of the new Canada Transportation Act in 1996, the Department has implemented a number of changes, including commercializing many of its operational activities, overhauling transportation policy, streamlining regulations, reducing subsidies and cutting overhead. The role of the new Transport Canada is focused on the development of relevant transportation policies and legislation and maintenance of a high level of safety and security. The department of the future will no longer own, operate or subsidize large parts of the transportation system. The following sections highlight the areas in Transport Canada that collect, develop or maintain transportation statistics.

Policy Group

The Policy Group at Transport Canada is responsible for setting policies relating to trade and to rail, marine, motor carrier and air transportation; setting departmental strategic policy; assessing the performance of the overall transportation system and its components; and developing supporting information. Within the Policy Group, the Economic Analysis Directorate is responsible for meeting most of the statistical needs of the Policy Group and of Transport Canada.

The Economic Analysis Directorate meets these needs by identifying available data sources, such as Statistics Canada and other federal and provincial departments and agencies, implementing regulations to collect required data not available through other sources, initiating new surveys and other instruments to collect required data, purchasing information from recognized experts and identifying available data from other sources such as international organizations. The Economic Analysis Directorate also produces short, medium and long-term forecasts of aircraft traffic, marine and surface commodity flows and vessel movements.

Safety and Security Group

The Safety and Security Group at Transport Canada is responsible for establishing and administering regulations and standards necessary for the safe conduct of Canadian civil aviation; monitoring the operation of NavCanada (the not-for-profit corporation whose primary mission is the safe, efficient and effective delivery of air navigation services); developing and enforcing marine regulations; and developing and enforcing the regulatory aspects of rail safety, the transport of dangerous goods, and motor vehicle and motor carrier safety and motor vehicle emissions.

Within the Safety and Security Group, the Road Safety Directorate collects, in cooperation with the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators (CCMTA), motor vehicle traffic collision statistics from Canada's provincial and territorial jurisdictions. These statistics are stored in the Directorate's Canadian Traffic Accident Information Database (TRAID), and are published on an annual basis in a brochure entitled Canadian Motor Vehicle Traffic Collision Statistics, TP 3322. The Road Safety Directorate also provides to Natural Resources Canada, for publication in its annual Motor Vehicle Fuel Consumption Guide, fuel consumption ratings of new motor vehicles. The fuel consumption ratings are submitted to Transport Canada by motor vehicle manufacturers who certify that the tests and calculations were carried out in accordance with approved Transport Canada methods.

The Transport Dangerous Goods Directorate also is part of the Safety and Security Group. Transport Canada is the focal point for the national program to promote public safety during the transportation of dangerous goods. The Transport Dangerous Goods Directorate serves as the major source of regulatory development, information and guidance on dangerous goods transport for the general public, industry and government. Through its various components, the Directorate works closely with other federal and provincial agencies to implement the safety program. The Transport Dangerous Goods Directorate maintains a Dangerous Goods Accident Information System (DGAIS), which contains over 100 elements of information for each accident involving dangerous goods reported to the directorate. Access to previous year's data is made possible by Statistics Canada.

In addition to these activities, the Canadian Transport Emergency Centre (CANUTEC) also is part of the Transport Dangerous Goods Directorate. The CANUTEC is a national bilingual advisory centre, which was established in 1979, and is operated by Transport Canada to assist emergency response personnel in handling dangerous goods emergencies. The CANUTEC has established a scientific information holding on chemicals manufactured, stored and transported in Canada. This holding consists of several data banks and includes Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) on more than 500,000 commercial products. The CANUTEC is staffed with professional scientists specialising in emergency response and experienced in interpreting technical information and providing advice. The CANUTEC has participated in a continental effort to consolidate the interpretations into an easy to use manual: The 1996 North American Emergency Response Guidebook. This guidebook provides information for the initial response to accidents involving any of the 3,000 categories of dangerous goods (this covers all of approximately 500,000 hazardous commercial products transported in Canada). More information on the CANUTEC can be found at their web site: www.tc.gc.ca/canutec/en/menu.htm

Other Canadian Federal Agencies

Transportation Safety Board of Canada

Web site: www.tsb.gc.ca

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada was established as an independent board in 1990. The agency is concerned with the analysis of safety failures in the federally regulated elements of the marine, rail, pipeline and air transportation systems.

As part of its strategy to advance transportation safety, the Board produces, on an annual basis, modal publications (air, rail, water) reporting on the numbers of modal accidents, incidents, fatalities and injuries that have been reported to the Transportation Safety Board for the calendar year. The Board also makes use of information technologies, such as the Internet, to make safety information more readily available to industry and the public.

Pilotage Authorities

The Pilotage Act, proclaimed in force February 1, 1972, created four pilotage regions with specific authorities. The four Pilotage Authorities (Atlantic, Laurentian, Great Lakes and Pacific) are Crown Corporations and are responsible to the Canadian Parliament through the Minister of Transport. The role of each of these Pilotage Authorities is to establish, operate, maintain and administer, in the interest of safety, an efficient and economical pilotage service within their geographical boundaries. Each authority submits, through the Minister of Transport, an Annual Report to Parliament. These annual reports include financial statements concerning the respective authority's activities for the past year, as well as historical operating statistics indicating the average number of pilots and pilotage assignments, by compulsory pilotage area. Below are the web sites of the four pilotage regions.

Atlantic Pilotage Authority:

Web site: www.canada.gc.ca/depts/agencies/apaind_e.html

Great Lakes Pilotage Authority:

Web site: www.canada.gc.ca/depts/agencies/glpind_e.html

Laurentian Pilotage Authority:

Web site: www.canada.gc.ca/depts/agencies/lpaind_e.html

Pacific Pilotage Authority:

Web site: www.canada.gc.ca/depts/agencies/ppaind_e.html

St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation

Web site: www.seaway.ca

The St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation operates the St. Lawrence Seaway in conjunction with the U.S. St. Lawrence Development Corporation. The two organizations produce, on an annual basis, The St. Lawrence Seaway Traffic Report, a statistical publication detailing marine transport activity on the St. Lawrence Seaway. Information concerning the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation also is readily available from its Annual Report(s) and from its web site.

Canadian Coast Guard, Department of Fisheries and Oceans

Web site: www.ccg-gcc.gc.ca

The Canadian Coast Guard's mandate is focused on sustainable ocean management that permits a safe, environmentally sustainable marine transportation system. It advances the ocean mandate both through its internal partnership with Department of Fisheries and Oceans sector counterparts and through its primary role of ensuring safe and environmentally responsible use of Canada's waterways. The Canadian Coast Guard organization splits into five business lines, which include marine navigation services; marine communications and traffic services; ice-breaking operations; rescue, safety and environmental response activities; and fleet management.

Marine Atlantic Inc.

Web site: www.marine-atlantic.ca

Marine Atlantic Inc. is a federal Crown corporation, and its mission is to provide quality, safe and efficient transportation and hospitality services. It has a single mandate, the constitutional year-round ferry service linking Port aux Basques, Newfoundland, and North Sydney, Nova Scotia and the seasonal alternative ferry service between North Sydney and Argentina, Newfoundland. Information concerning Marine Atlantic's ferry services, including operational, financial and traffic information, is available from its Annual Report and on its web site.

Natural Resources Canada

Web site: www.NRCan.gc.ca

The Energy Sector at Natural Resources Canada promotes the sustainable development and safe and efficient use of Canada's energy resources. The Energy Sector also provides technical knowledge and advice to the energy industry and to government. Its knowledge base helps the Canadian government create policies, implement regulations, meet international commitments and enhance job creation and economic growth.

Nongovernment Organizations and Associations

This list represents selected nongovernmental organizations and associations that were used as Canadian resources for this publication. This list should not be viewed as an exhaustive list of nongovernmental organizations and associations that maintain and analyze transportation and transportation related data for Canada. A brief description of each organization's general mission and functions is provided as well as its specific data activities.

NAV CANADA

Web site: www.navcanada.ca

NAV CANADA is the country's wholly private, not-for-profit provider of civil air navigation services (ANS). From over 130 facilities coast to coast, including Area Control Centers, Air Traffic Control Towers, Flights Service Stations and a network of electronic navigation aids, NAV CANADA delivers air traffic control flight information, and airport advisory services to the regional, national and international air transport communities and general aviation. NAV CANADA provides aircraft movement statistics that it records at Canada's airports to Transport Canada and the Aviation Statistics Center of Statistics Canada, for publication on an annual basis in their joint publication, Aircraft Movements Statistics, TP 577.

NAV CANADA also provides aircraft movement statistics it records at Canada's national airports to the Economic Analysis Directorate of Transport Canada. These statistics are used by Transport Canada to make forecasts, on a contractual basis with the national airports, of future aircraft movement volumes that the airport authorities use to plan their airport's future facility requirements. NAV CANADA also produces periodic publications that provide information relating to the Air Navigation System, as well as annual reports that provide a financial profile of its organization.

Railway Association of Canada

Web site: www.railcan.ca/

The Railway Association of Canada (RAC) is the industry association of freight, passenger and commuter railways that operate throughout Canada. Operating, financial and traffic information are available from the RAC web site and from their annual statistical report "Railway Trends." The RAC web site also identifies member railway companies and has links to the web site of member railways and the Transportation Safety Board of Canada.

Overview of Transportation Statistics in Mexico

Overview of the Mexican Statistical System

The Instituto Nacional de Estadística, Geografía e Informática (INEGI or the National Institute of Statistics, Geography and Informatics) is the only federal agency in Mexico whose main responsibility is to gather, process, create, compile and disseminate statistical information on a wide variety of social and economic issues. INEGI receives its authority from the Ley de Información Estadística y Geográfica (Statistical and Geographic Information Act). In compliance with the Statistical and Geographic Information Act, INEGI is responsible for the coordination of the national statistical system and the national system on geography information, as well.

Specific Sources of Mexican Transporation and Transportion Related Data and Information

In addition to INEGI, many federal agencies and institutions also gather, process, create, compile and disseminate statistics on transportation. These statistics are based on census projects, surveys by sampling and administrative records. In addition to these federal sources, many state and municipal governments also generate different types of statistical information, in support of their missions and as a by-product of specific administrative functions. A brief description of each organization's general mission and functions is provided as well as its specific data activities. However, detailed information on agency data activities are not described extensively here. Additional information can be found at the web sites of individual organizations described below.

Instituto Nacional de Estadística, Geografía e Informática (INEGI)

National Institute of Statistics, Geography and Informatics

Web site: www.inegi.gob.mx

INEGI's mandate includes statistics, geography and informatics (information technology). INEGI's Statistical Directorate is responsible for providing a wide range of information to the public. To achieve this mission, social, demographic and economic statistics are collected, processed and disseminated. Data are collected through population, economic and agricultural censuses; industry and activity specific surveys (for example: construction, employment, trade, and income and expenditure of households, amongst others); administrative records; and the national accounting system (which in turn, utilizes basic statistics generated by the INEGI and other institutions). To perform these data collection activities, INEGI relies upon 80 central sources and 60 local sources located throughout Mexico and within each of the country's states. INEGI disseminates all of its information through printed items and electronic materials, such as diskettes, CDs and the Internet.

In terms of transportation statistics, INEGI mainly generates information through quinquennial census data, and through the annual data from Mexico's National Account System. Statistics on transportation and related issues also are produced or gathered through other INEGI projects. This is the case of data for vehicle registrations, traffic accidents, transportation characteristics for different modes of transportation.

Among other responsibilities, INEGI also must provide the geographical information that Mexico requires for the planning and optimal use of territorial resources. At present, this is done in digital format through the Sistema Nacional sobre Información Geográfica (National System on Geographical Information).

Secretaría de Comunicaciones y Transportes (SCT)

Ministry of Communications and Transportation

Web site: www.sct.gob.mx

The Secretaría de Comunicaciones y Transportes is responsible for the development of a modern, efficient and sufficient transportation and communication infrastructure that supports sustainable and sound economic growth in Mexico, and that promotes the improvement and broadening of efficient and high quality transportation and communication services. Within SCT, specific program areas are responsible for transportation, generally, and transportation statistics and information, specifically. These program areas are described below.

Coordinación General de Puertos y Marina Mercante (CGPMM)

General Coordination of Ports and Merchant Marine

The CGPMM is responsible for the establishment and implementation of policies, standards, systems and procedures for maritime and port activities that encourage the development of this transportation mode and port operations. This area provides statistical information about maritime and port activity, including data that describe the infrastructure and movement of freight shipments and passengers. The CGPMM Anuario Estadístico: Movimiento de Carga, Pasajeros y Buques (Statistical Yearbook: Movement of Shipments, Passengers and Vessels.

Dirección General de Puertos (DGP)

General Directorate of Ports

The DGP oversees the administration of concessions for Mexico's port administrations. This includes oversight concessions of specific facilities and their use, optimization, construction, operation and use of public property and the negotiation for the extension, amendment, annulment, recovery or early termination of a concession. The DGP also administers and oversees the construction, operation and use of goods at ports, terminals, marine and port facilities not under concession, and resolves any complaints that may be filed because of public bidding for concessions or agreements set forth by the (Ports Act) Ley de Puertos. In terms of statistics, this area gathers and publishes the data on individual ports, including ports' real estate registries (which provide a description of physical facilities of a port and associated bodies of water). It also publishes a statistical report, Los Puertos Mexicanos en Cifras (Mexican Ports in Figures), with information about port infrastructure, shipments, passenger and container activity, and dredging volumes.

Dirección General de Capitanías (DGC)

General Directorate of Port Authorities

The DGC coordinates and regulates the tasks performed by Mexico's Port Authorities (Capitanías de Puerto) and the relative delegations under their jurisdiction. It also provides oversight of the operations of the Port Authorities, and their correspondence with the applicable legal regulations. It also serves as the liaison office for the communication and coordination among other SCT offices relating to maritime transportation, including the Dirección General de Puertos, the Dirección General de Marina Mercante, the Capitanías de Puerto and other SCT offices and divisions. The DGC performs a followup and evaluation of the results of port and maritime activities. It also is responsible for providing the Harbour Masters with information about pertinent legal, operational, and technical regulations. In terms of statistics, the DGC designs software for the adequate control of port and maritime information and compiles statistics and a data bank on maritime and port operations.

Dirección General de Marina Mercante (DGMM)

General Directorate of Merchant Marine

The DGMM is responsible for the regulation, promotion, coordination and control of the Mexican merchant marine. In this capacity, it manages, coordinates and controls the Registro Publico Marítimo Nacional (National Maritime Public Registry) and the Programa de Abanderamiento (National Flag Vessel Registration). The DGMM registers and grants licenses to national flag vessels and Mexican naval vessels and equipment. In addition, the directorate compiles a Anuario Estadístico del Sector Marítimo (Statistical Yearbook of the Maritime Sector), which contains data on the navigation of ships and an inventory of maritime signaling.

Administraciones Portuarias Integrales (API)

Integrated Port Administrations

The APIs are generally public/private enterprises responsible for the management of 22 of Mexico's maritime ports. Of the current 22 APIs, 15 of these have a majority share from the Mexican Federal Government, 5 are under the control of state governments (Baja California Sur, Campeche, Quintana Roo, Tabasco and Tamaulipas), 1 is completely private (Acapulco) and one is under the control of a Trust Fund (Cabo San Lucas). In addition to port management, the APIs maintain information about cargo and passenger activity and vessel entrances and clearances.

Aeropuertos y Servicios Auxiliares (ASA)

Airports and Auxiliary Services

Web site: www.asa.org.mx

This organization's responsibilities include administrating, operating, modernizing, building and maintaining Mexico's airport network, as well as raising security levels and increasing the network's stability and efficiency.

ASA administers 58 airports, 9 of which have been concessioned and sold to the private sector since 1998. ASA produces statistics that cover passenger, freight and mail activity in national and international civil aviation; income per service and operating costs; and a log of airport operations.

Caminos y Puentes Federales de Ingresos y Servicios Conexos (CAPUFE)

Federal Roads and Bridges and Related Services

Web site: www.capufe.gob.mx

CAPUFE is a decentralized federal agency that is in charge of the management, operation, conservation, rehabilitation, expansion, modernization and construction of roads and toll bridges. As part of its responsibilities, CAPUFE also generates statistics based on the vehicle registry that is taken at toll roads and bridges under its management. It also compiles organizational income and expense data.

Dirección General de Aeronáutica Civil (DGAC)

General Directorate of Civil Aeronautics

This DGAC is responsible for the standards design, coordination and surveillance of national and international air public transportation services, and of auxiliary and related services and their facilities, and for the safety oversight of these services. It also is responsible for determining the necessary arrangements for concessions, permits and authorizations to provide air carrier and private general aviation transportation services. In terms of statistics, the DGAC is responsible for conducting and publishing studies, statistics and operational, financial and occupational data on passenger and freight transportation by the commercial air carriers, and the compilation of information about aviation accidents and incidents.

Dirección General de Autotransporte Federal (DGAF)

General Directorate of Federal Motor Carriers

The DGAF is responsible for the regulation, standards design, surveillance and sanctioning of public and private motor carrier services operating on roads under federal jurisdiction. It also is responsible for the design of the operational systems for the motor carrier services. The directorate generates statistics on the number of motor carrier companies and their vehicle fleets and the infrastructure related to such services.

Dirección General de Planeación (DGP)

General Directorate of Planning

The DGP is responsible for developing the objectives, strategies and guidelines for the transportation sector. It works to establish the effective steps and goals according to transportation policies and is involved in developing the necessary planning tools to support these. The DGP also produces a cartography of the transport sector, publishes maps with infrastructure data, road maps and other graphical documents. In terms of transportation statistics, this area is responsible for compiling and publishing the Anuario Estadístico del Sector Comunicaciones y Transportes (Annual Statistical Report on the Communications and Transportation Sector). This report offers users a statistical compendium with the most relevant data on variables and basic indicators for all modes of transportation.

Dirección General de Policía Federal de Caminos y Puertos (DGPFCP)

General Directorate of Federal Highway and Ports Patrol

The mission of this directorate is to supervise, keep order and guarantee public safety on roads that are under federal jurisdiction. In terms of transportation statistics, the DGPFCP generates data on motor vehicle crashes, robberies and people arrested on roads under federal jurisdiction. Until the end of October 1999, this agency was part of SCT. After this time, it became part of the Secretaría de Gobernación (Ministry of Interior and Governmental Affairs).

Dirección General de Protección y Medicina Preventiva en el Transporte (DGPMPT)

General Directorate of Protection and Preventive Medicine in Transport

The basic task of the DGPMPT is to determine the physiological conditions that personnel involved in the operation of different modes of transportation and related services must meet, and to document the medical history of such personnel. In terms of statistics, the DGPMPT keeps administrative records on medical and physiological exams, and toxicological tests conducted to decrease occupational hazards and accidents when providing transport services.

Dirección General de Servicios Técnicos (DGST)

General Directorate of Technical Services

In support of highway planning, the DGST conducts studies and performs and develops road programs for the construction, modernization and expansion of free (nontoll) highway traffic routes, toll roads and highways under concession. Through field surveys, it gathers data on the origin-destination, weights and dimensions of motor carriers and traffic volume on Mexico's national road network. In addition, the DGST creates and keeps an updated national inventory of infrastructure works.

Dirección General de Tarifas, Transporte Ferroviario y Multimodal (DGTTFM)

General Directorate of Rates, Railroad and Multimodal Transportation

The basic task of this unit is the definition of general principles for rate regulations of air, road and railway transportation services, and of the services offered and performed in ground and airport federal areas. The DGTTFM also is responsible for the coordination, regulation, control and sanctioning of services provided within the railway and multimodal transportation services, except for operational systems. In addition, because of the separation of several railroad lines from Mexico's national rail system, this unit is responsible for the gathering of data on railroad transportation, a task previously undertaken by the National Railroads of Mexico (Ferrocarriles Nacionales de México) prior to 1997.

Ferrocarriles Nacionales de México (FNM)

National Railroads of Mexico

The FNM is responsible for ensuring a safe, efficient and competitive railway system to help satisfy economic needs and establish closer ties between international and national markets. Due to the privatization of some lines of the (National Railway System) Sistema Ferroviario Nacional, since 1998 this agency only records statistical information for the Southeast Railways (Ferrocarril del Sureste) and short line railroads still under its control. (Prior to 1998, the FNM was responsible for statistical information for all of Mexico's railroads).

Instituto Mexicano del Transporte (IMT)

Mexican Institute of Transport

Web site: www.imt.mx

IMT is a technological research and development center under SCT. IMT was created in response to the need for modernizing infrastructure, optimizing operations, developing or adapting technologies according to the country's needs and promoting national industrial production. As part of its organizational mandate, IMT conducts research projects in the area of public and private transport. In addition, the Institute has several programs that are aimed at developing adequate human capital, through education and training, for the transportation sector.

IMT compiles and disseminates an annual Manuel Estadístico del Sector Transporte (Statistical Manual for the Transport Sector.) This publication includes official transportation and transportation related statistics for all modes of transport. The manual aims to offer those interested in the subject an overall perspective on the evolution of multimodal and intermodal transport in Mexico. Similarly, the IMT collaborates with SCT's Dirección General de Servicios Técnicos (Technical Services Directorate) to develop field surveys on the origin, destination, weight and size of road freight transport vehicles. IMT also processes this field data and publishes statistics periodically. This annual survey is known as the Estudio Estadístico de Campo del Autotransporte Nacional (Field Statistics Study of National Auto Transport).

Servicios a la Navegación en el Espacio Aéro Mexicano (SENEAM)

Navigation Services in Mexican Air Space

Web site: www.sct.gob.mx/estructura/seneam.htm/

SENEAM provides air traffic control services, aeronautical meteorology, radio-aided navigation, aeronautical telecommunications, airplane dispatching, aeronautical information, operational messages, administrative services of any kind required by companies, government offices, agencies or individuals in national and international air transport activities, and all services necessary to guaranty safety, order and a smooth traffic flow. SENEAM also generates statistical information on infrastructure, equipment, operation and support services for air navigation, as well as writing, updating and distributing the Publicación de Información Aeronáutica (Aeronautical Information Publication).

Unidad de Autopistas de Cuota (UAC)

Toll Highway Unit

The UAC is responsible for permits and authorizations for the construction of road access, crossings and facilities for Mexico's toll roads. The unit is also in charge of recording the fees being collected at toll roads and bridges. In terms of statistics, this office gathers data on all vehicles that travel on toll roads and bridges and conducts statistical analysis and operational evaluations. In its statistical analysis, the UAC includes data from the Caminos y Puentes Federales de Ingresos y Servicios Conexos (Federal Roads and Bridges and Related Services) in calculating the levels of vehicle traffic. These data are measured in annual and monthly average daily traffic.

Other Mexican Federal Agencies

Banco de Mexico, BANXICO

Bank of Mexico

Web site: www.banxico.org.mx

BANXICO´s chief purpose is to supply national currency to the country's economy. In achieving this goal, the central bank's primary objective is to maintain the stability of the currency's purchasing power. The bank also helps promote the development of the financial system and ensures a smooth functioning of payment systems. In coordination with other organizations, BANXICO is responsible for compiling, analyzing and publishing economic and financial statistics. In terms of transportation statistics, BANXICO generates data on tourism flows, differentiating between tourists that enter or leave the country by land or by air.

Comisión Nacional para el Ahorro de Energía, CONAE

National Commission for Energy Conservation

Web site: www.conae.gob.mx

The Commission serves as a technical consulting agency on energy conservation and efficiency for federal agencies and entities, state and municipal governments, and individuals. The Commission is comprised of representatives from several other federal Ministries. CONAE is responsible for promoting energy conservation across all sectors of the Mexican society and economy. Specifically, CONAE's most important functions are promoting, coordinating and evaluating strategies; programs and action on energy conservation and efficiency; and developing and disseminating research, technologies and studies to support these objectives.

Comisión Reguladora de Energía, CRE

Energy Regulation Commission

Web site: www.cre.gob.mx

The mission of the CRE is to promote efficient development of the gas and electrical energy sectors for the benefit of users. To meet this objective, the Commission regulates the electric and natural gas industries in Mexico. The activities regulated and defined in the Ley de la CRE (CRE Act) are generating, operating, transforming, marketing and supplying electrical energy, as well as regulating the transport, storage and distribution of petroleum and natural gas.

Instituto Nacional de Ecología, INE

National Institute of Ecology

Web site: www.ine.gob.mx

The INE is part of the Secretaría de Medio Ambiente, Recursos Naturales y Pesca (Ministry of the Environment, Natural Resources and Fisheries), and is responsible for developing environmental policies and applying different provisions for regulating and managing the environment. Its responsibilities cover both sectoral as well as regional subjects. Because of the impact that transportation has on the environment, INE also engages in transportation related activities and projects. Among these are: determining standards for the maximum allowable levels for automotive vehicle emissions; carrying out emissions inventories of the atmosphere by sector and greenhouse effect gases; evaluating the environmental impact for building and operating general transport routes (roadways, railways, airports, etc.); establishing air quality monitoring networks; and gathering information from these activities.

Instituto Nacional de Migración, INM

National Institute of Migration

The INM is part of the Secretaría de Gobernación (Ministry of Interior and Governmental Affairs,) and is in charge of planning, executing, controlling, supervising and evaluating migratory services, as well as coordinating with other federal agencies that also have responsibilities in the area of migration. INM documents and registers the entrance and exit of nationals and foreigners by land, air or maritime routes. Statistical information is generated according to concepts established in the Ley General de Población (General Population Act) and is provided monthly to the Bank of Mexico to determine figures for tourist income and expenditures.

Petróleos Mexicanos, PEMEX

Mexican Petroleum Company

Web site: www.pemex.org.mx

PEMEX is a public, decentralized agency that is responsible for the exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbons and the production, storage, distribution and commercializing of petroleum and petrochemical products in Mexico. The agency generates a wide array of information on these activities.

Secretaría de Comercio y Fomento Industrial, SECOFI

Ministry of Trade and Industrial Development

Web site: www.secofi.gob.mx/

The Secretaría de Comercio y Fomento Industrial is a federal executive agency that has as its mission the following functions: formulating and developing general policies in the areas of industry, mining, international trade, domestic trade and supply; regulating, directing and estimating consumer protection measures; registering industrial property and commercial ownership; overseeing and regulating foreign investment in Mexico; overseeing and regulating technology transfer and promoting and organizing industry and technology development. In regard to transportation statistics, SECOFI disseminates information on Mexico's merchandise trade by mode of transportation.

Secretaría de Energía, SE

Ministry of Energy

Web site: www.energia.gob.mx/

The Secretaría de Energía has, as its principal functions, the following: developing Mexico's national energy policies; promoting Mexico's use of hydrocarbon and nuclear energy, carrying out energy planning and setting the economic and social policies for the sector's state government enterprises, accomplishing and promoting research on energy costs and savings and issuing official energy standards for Mexico. In terms of transportation statistics, the SE develops and provides information on Mexico's energy balance, and other energy related indicators.

Secretaría de Hacienda y Crédito Público, SHCP

Ministry of Finance and Public Credit

Web site: www.shcp.gob.mx/index.html

The Secretaría de Hacienda y Crédito Público is responsible for projecting and coordinating national development planning with the participation of interested social groups; coordinating and developing the national statistical and geographic information services; and establishing standards and procedures for the organization, functioning and coordination of the national statistical and geographic information systems, including coordinating the information services of federal agencies and organizations. The Dirección General de Aduanas (General Directorate of Customs; or Customs Service) is an agency of the SHCP. The Dirección General de Aduanas has as its responsibilities some of the following: promoting programs and activities in order to implement legislative policies relating to Customs; preventing financial offences and crimes; developing, promoting and evaluating the specific systems, methods and procedures of the Customs Service, including the collection of statistical information on international trade.

Secretaría de Programación y Presupuesto, SPP

(Former) Ministry of Planning and Budgeting

The functions and responsibilities of the Secretaría de Programación y Presupuesto (SPP) were transferred to the Secretaría de Hacienda y Crédito Público in the first trimester of 1992.

Secretaría de Turismo, SECTUR

Ministry of Tourism

Web site: mexico-travel.com

SECTUR is responsible for formulating and managing policy on the development of national tourist activities; formulating and disseminating official information concerning tourism; coordinating tourism advertising that is disseminated by various Federal Government agencies, state and municipal authorities, and social and private sectors; and compiling statistics on tourism, according to provisions set forth by the Secretaría de Hacienda y Crédito Público (Ministry of the Finance and Public Credit).

Overview of Transportation Statistics in the United States

Overview of the U.S. Statistical System

The U.S. statistical system is highly decentralized. Responsibility for producing federal statistics is divided among approximately 70 agencies. Eleven agencies, located in 9 departments, have statistical activities (collecting, analyzing, producing and disseminating statistical data) as their primary mission. These agencies are the Bureau of Economic Analysis and the U.S. Census Bureau at the Department of Commerce, the Bureau of Labor Statistics at the Department of Labor, the Statistics of Income Division at the Department of Treasury, the Energy Information Administration at the Department of Energy, the National Center of Health Statistics at the Department of Health and Human Services, the Bureau of Justice Statistics at the Department of Justice, the National Center for Education Statistics at the Department of Education, the Economic Research Service and the National Agricultural Statistics Service at the Department of Agriculture and the Bureau of Transportation Statistics at the Department of Transportation. Each of these agencies maintains its own separate budget. In addition, there are approximately 60 other agencies that also conduct statistical activities, although statistics are not the primary mission of these agencies. Oversight and coordination of the U.S. statistical system is the responsibility of the Office of Management and Budget, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OMB/OIRA).

Specific Sources of U.S. Transportation and Transporation Related Data and Information

The following section discusses the roles and responsibilities of selected U.S. federal agencies along with other organizations that plan, collect, coordinate, develop and maintain transportation and transportation related data and information. For some of these organizations, transportation statistics are a primary focus. For others, it is one of many activities, and for some, it represents a by-product of primary functions. This list represents many of the U.S. sources used in this publication, but should not be viewed as exhaustive. A brief description of each organization's general mission and functions is provided as well as its specific data activities. However, detailed information on agency data activities is not described extensively here. Additional information on specific surveys, methodologies, dissemination and other items can be found at the web sites of individual organizations described below. Some transportation data and information from nonfederal sources also are discussed here.

U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT)

Web site: www.dot.gov/

The mission of the Department of Transportation is to serve the United States by ensuring a fast, safe, efficient, accessible and convenient transportation system that meets U.S. vital national interests and enhances the quality of life of the public. The Department has five strategic goals: (1) Safety (promote the public health and safety by working toward the elimination of transportation related deaths and injuries), (2) Mobility (shape an accessible, affordable and reliable transportation system for all people and goods), (3) Economic Growth (support a transportation system that sustains U.S. economic growth), (4) Human and Natural Environment (protect and enhance communities and the natural environment affected by transportation) and (5) National Security (ensure the security of the transportation system for the movement of people and goods). The DOT consists of the Office of the Secretary and twelve individual operating administrations. These include the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, US Coast Guard, the Federal Aviation Administration, the Federal Highway Administration, the Federal Railroad Administration, the Federal Transit Administration, the Maritime Administration, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Research and Special Programs Administration, the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation, the Surface Transportation Board, the Transportation Administrative Services Center and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (as of January 2000).

Bureau of Transportation Statistics

Web site: www.bts.gov/

The mission of the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) is the development of transportation data, information and analysis of high quality and to advance their effective use in both public and private decision making. These decisions focus on transportation investment, policies and planning decisions in the areas of safety, economic activity, mobility, national security and the human and natural environment, which are also the overarching strategic goals of the USDOT. BTS compiles, analyzes and makes accessible information about the nation's transportation systems; collects information on various aspects of transportation; and enhances the quality and effectiveness of the USDOT's statistical programs through research, the development of guidelines and the promotion of improvements in data acquisition and use. BTS customers include the US Congress, federal, state and local governments; transportation-related associations; private business and industry; universities and the general public. BTS measures its performance in terms of specific data and information outcomes, including relevance, quality, timeliness, comparability, completeness and utility.

BTS' largest data collection programs are the Commodity Flow Survey (CFS) (conducted jointly with the Census Bureau) and the National Personal Transportation Survey/American Travel Survey (NPTS/ATS, conducted jointly with the Federal Highway Administration), to identify where freight and people go by all modes of transportation. BTS also sponsors the processing of transportation related data for U.S. merchandise land trade and then analyzes and disseminates this information. In conjunction with the Bureau of Economic Analysis at the Department of Commerce, BTS has developed the Transportation Satellite Accounts (TSAs) for the United States, which provide a way to measure both inhouse and for-hire transportation services contribution to gross domestic product (GDP) in a framework consistent with the national accounts. In addition, BTS' Office of Airline Information (OAI) collects, maintains and analyzes financial, market and performance data of the airline industry. BTS also manages the National Transportation Library and leads the Federal Government's effort in developing geo-spatial data for transportation. BTS also is developing the Intermodal Transportation Data Base (ITDB) that will link key safety and other data sets for multimodal analysis through web-based technologies.

Federal Aviation Administration

Web site: www.faa.gov/

The primary function of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is to foster the development and safety of aviation in the United States. FAA maintains a diverse set of data that supports critical activities in safety regulation; airspace and air traffic management; management of air navigation facilities; research, engineering and development; testing and evaluation of aviation systems; airport programs; and registration of aircraft.

Federal Highway Administration

Web site: www.fhwa.dot.gov/

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) directly administers a number of road transportation activities, including standards development, research and technology, training, technical assistance, highway access to federally-owned and Indian lands and commercial vehicle safety enforcement. FHWA also has a significant role, working through partnerships, programs, policies and the allocation of resources, in facilitating the strategic development and maintenance of state and local roads and intermodal transportation systems. FHWA statistical activities include the collection, analysis and dissemination of data on the U.S. road system, infrastructure financing, vehicle fuel consumption, vehicle registrations, driver registrations and characteristics of local travel.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

Web site: www.fmcsa.dot.gov/

The mission of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is the issuance, administration and enforcement of federal motor carrier safety regulations and the drug and alcohol testing requirements under U.S. hazardous materials regulations. FMCSA's goal is to achieve continuous safety improvements in the U.S. highway system, intermodal connections and motor carrier operations through the development and promotion of data-driven, analysis-based, and innovative programs. FMCSA began as a USDOT operating administration in January 2000. FMSCA collects, analyzes and disseminates motor carrier safety and related data.

Federal Railroad Administration

Web site: www.fra.dot.gov/

The mission of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is to promulgate and enforce rail safety regulations, administer railroad financial assistance programs, conduct research and development in support of improved railroad safety and national rail transportation policy and facilitate the development of new and improved rail technology. FRA collects, analyzes and disseminates data on the U.S. railroad system, including traffic, safety and accident reports, as well as information on grade crossings and inspections.

Federal Transit Administration

Web site: www.fta.dot.gov/

The mission of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is to assist public and private transit companies in the development of improved transit systems, facilities and equipment, and to provide assistance to state and local governments in financing these systems and facilities. The FTA collects, analyzes and disseminates operating and financial data on transit systems and services in the United States.

Maritime Administration

Web site: www.marad.dot.gov/

The mission of the Maritime Administration (MARAD) is to promote the development, operation and maintenance of the U.S. Merchant Marine. MARAD also seeks to ensure that the United States enjoys adequate shipbuilding and repair service, efficient ports, effective intermodal water and land transportation systems, and reserve shipping capacity in time of national emergency. MARAD collects, analyzes, maintains and disseminates data on foreign and domestic trade, vessel characteristics and itineraries, port facilities, shipbuilding and repair, ship values, financial reports and operating expenses, shipping activities and maritime employment.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Web site: www.nhtsa.dot.gov/

The mission of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is to improve the safety of motor vehicle transportation by identifying and eliminating motor vehicle and road safety problems. NHTSA collects, analyzes and disseminates data and information on road and vehicle safety, including motor vehicle-related crashes, injuries and fatalities and the economic costs of these.

Research and Special Programs Administration

Web site: www.rspa.dot.gov/

The mission of the Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA) is to serve as a long-range research and technical development arm of the USDOT and to conduct special programs. Statistical activities include the collection of data on the movement of hazardous materials and the safety of liquid and natural gas pipelines.

Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation

Web site: www.dot.gov/slsdc/

The Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (SLSDC) is responsible for operating and maintaining the St. Lawrence Seaway in cooperation with Canada, and for developing international trade throughout the Great Lakes Seaway system. Statistical activities include the analysis and dissemination of data specific to the St. Lawrence Seaway.

Surface Transportation Board

Web site: www.stb.dot.gov/

The Surface Transportation Board (STB or Board) is a bipartisan, independent, adjudicatory body, housed within the USDOT. The Board was established following the termination of the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) in 1995, and assumed certain ICC regulatory functions. These included broad economic oversight of railroads, and more limited oversight of pipeline carriers, intercity bus carriers, water carriers engaged in noncontiguous domestic trade, household goods carriers, and certain types of motor carriers. The STB collects, maintains and analyzes economic, financial and employment data on Class I railroads in the U.S.

U.S. Coast Guard

Web site: www.uscg.mil/

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) is one of five branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, and falls under the jurisdiction of DOT. The USCG is the country's oldest continuous seagoing service with responsibilities that include search and rescue operations, maritime law enforcement, navigation aids, icebreaking, environmental protection, port security and military readiness. The USCG collects, maintains and analyzes data on recreational boating safety; commercial vessel casualties; merchant marine licensees; USCG inspections of foreign and U.S. vessels, offshore and port facilities; USCG search and rescue performance; and pollution incidents that occur within navigable waters of the United States.

U.S. Department of Commerce (USDOC)

Web site: www.doc.gov/

The Department of Commerce promotes job creation, economic growth, sustainable development and improved living standards by working in partnership with business, universities, communities and workers. Specifically, the Commerce Department facilitates technology that is used in the workplace and home every day; supports the development, gathering and transmitting of information essential to competitive business; promotes the diversity of companies and goods; supports environmental and economic health for communities; and conducts the constitutionally mandated decennial census.

U.S. Census Bureau

Web site: www.census.gov/

The U.S. Census Bureau (Census) is responsible for collecting, tabulating and publishing a variety of statistical data about the United States. Census' responsibilities include the decennial census of population and housing; quinquennial censuses of state and local governments and domestic industries; special censuses done at the request and expense of states and localities, and statistical compilations of U.S. foreign trade. Among its major transportation data activities are the Census of Transportation, the Vehicle Inventory and Use Survey (VIUS), and the Transportation Annual Survey (TAS). The Census of Transportation is conducted every 5 years (years ending in 7 and 2), and collects financial and operational data on domestic establishments that provide passenger and freight transportation. The VIUS (formerly known as the Truck Inventory and Use Survey, or TIUS) measures the physical and operational characteristics of the U.S. private and commercial trucking fleet. The TAS collects data on revenue, expenses and vehicle fleet inventories for commercial motor freight transportation and public warehousing service industries. In addition, Census jointly conducts the Commodity Flow Survey with the Bureau of Transportation Statistics at DOT.

Bureau of Economic Analysis

Web site: www.bea.doc.gov/

The Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) is responsible for preparing, developing and interpreting sets of economic accounts that include national income and wealth accounts, state and regional income and product accounts and international trade and balance of payment accounts. In conjunction with the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, BEA helped develop the Transportation Satellite Account (TSA).

International Trade Administration

Web site: www.ita.doc.gov/

The International Trade Administration (ITA) disseminates data and reports on U.S. merchandise and service trade, production prices and foreign direct investment in the United States. In addition, the Tourism Industries Office at ITA collects and maintains
data on international travel to and from the United States.

Other U.S. Federal Agencies

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor

Web site: www.stats.bls.gov/

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is responsible for collecting, analyzing and disseminating data on employment, prices and consumer expenditures, compensation and working conditions, productivity and employment projections. This includes data for the U.S. transportation sector.

Energy Information Administration, U.S. Department of Energy

Web site: www.eia.doe.gov/

The Energy Information Administration (EIA) is responsible for collecting, processing and publishing energy supply and demand data and information on energy consumption, distribution and related technologies. EIA develops analyses on energy trends and their micro- and macroeconomic effects. Coverage includes data on coal, petroleum, natural gas, and electric and nuclear energy.

Environmental Protection Agency

Web site: www.epa.gov/

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) monitors the quality of the air and drinking, surface and ground water, ecosystem status and the introduction of toxic or hazardous substances into the environment. It conducts research and studies to provide baseline data and to evaluate and support environmental monitoring systems. Established in 1997, the Center for Environmental Information and Statistics (CEIS) is EPA's one-stop source of data and information on environmental quality and trends.

National Transportation Safety Board

Web site: www.ntsb.gov/

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is an independent federal agency charged by the U.S. Congress with investigating every civil aviation accident in the United States and significant accidents in the railroad, highway, marine and pipeline modes. It also issues safety recommendations aimed at preventing future accidents. The NTSB compiles, analyzes and disseminates data and information on transportation accidents that it investigates.

U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, U.S. Department of Defense

Web site: www.usace.army.mil/

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the U.S. waterway system to ensure efficient and safe passage of commercial and recreational vessels. The USACE's Navigation Data Center (NDC) is responsible for establishing and maintaining a variety of navigation-oriented databases. These include databases of foreign and domestic waterborne commerce, domestic commercial vessels, port facilities, lock facilities and operations and navigation dredging projects.

U.S. Customs Service, U.S. Department of Treasury

Web site: www.customs.ustreas.gov/

The U. S. Customs Service (Customs) ensures that all imports and exports comply with U.S. laws and regulations. Customs collects and verifies tariff and trade data, which the Census Bureau tabulates, analyzes and disseminates. In addition, Customs collects and maintains border crossing data for passengers, vehicles and vessels entering the United States.

Nongovernment Organizations and Associations

This list represents selected nongovernmental organizations and associations that were used as U.S. resources for this publication. This list should not be viewed as an exhaustive list of nongovernmental organizations and associations that maintain and analyze transportation and transportation related data for the United States. A brief description of each organization's general mission and functions is provided as well as its specific data activities.

Association of American Railroads

Web site: www.aar.org/

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) represents North America's major freight railroads and Amtrak. Among its activities, AAR compiles and disseminates a variety of data on railroads, including its annual Railroad Fact book, which provides financial and operating statistics for Class I railroads in the United States.

American Public Transit Association

Web site: www.apta.com/

The American Public Transit Association (APTA) represent operators of bus, rapid transit and commuter rail systems, and the organization is responsible for planning, designing, constructing, financing and operating transit systems. Among its activities, APTA compiles and publishes transit data, including its annual Transit Fact Book.

Association of Oil Pipe Lines

Telephone: 202-408-7970

The Association of Oil Pipe Lines is an unincorporated nonprofit organization, which among other activities, assembles, maintains and disseminates current information about the U.S. oil pipeline industry.

American Gas Association

Web site: www.aga.com/

The American Gas Association (AGA) represents 181 local natural gas utilities that deliver gas to 54 million homes and businesses in all 50 states. Among its activities, AGA acts as a clearinghouse for natural gas energy information.