The volume of rail freight transport in the US has shown varying trends over the last decade. The actual value in 2023 stood at 2.254 trillion tonne kilometers. From 2013 to 2023, the year-on-year variations indicate periods of growth and decline, with notable downturns in 2016 and 2020. The average annual variation (CAGR) from 2019 to 2023 was -2.24%, reflecting a general decline over the last five years.

Future trends suggest a modest recovery, with forecasted annual growth rates improving slightly to an average of 0.49% CAGR from 2024 to 2028, resulting in a total increase of 2.49% over this period.

Future trends to watch for:

Technological advancements in rail infrastructure and logistics efficiency.
Shifts in domestic production and consumption patterns due to economic and environmental policies.
Potential impacts of global trade dynamics and supply chain shifts.