WASHINGTON, DC: March 03, 2016. As Alaska, American, Delta, Jet Blue, Southwest and United bid for route authorization to Cuba, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DoT) is forecasting a 40 percent increase in America’s freight volumes in the next three decades while the trade value will almost double.

By 2045, total freight on all modes – air, vessel, pipeline, rail, and trucks – is projected to reach 25 billion tons while the value is expected to grow to US$37 trillion.

In 2015 nearly 18.1 billion tons worth US$19.2 trillion moved on America’s transportation network. On a daily basis, 49 million tons valued at US$53 billion were shipped on all modes.

The DOT projects tonnage will increase to 69 million tons per day by 2045 while the daily value will reach US$101 billion or a total of US$37 trillion by 2045.

Trucks moved 64 percent of U.S. tonnage in 2015 and 69 percent of the value. Trucking volumes are expected to grow 44 percent by 2045 while the value is forecast to rise 84 percent, according to the DoT.

(Note: Total includes shipments by other and unknown modes that are not shown in the tables.)

Weight of Freight by Mode (million tons)

Value of Freight by Mode (billion 2012 dollars)