Statistics On-Line Database presents information on transportation and transportation-related activities among Canada, the United States and Mexico, both within individual countries and between the countries.  This database, presented in French, English, and Spanish is, accessible in table and time series formats, and covers twelve thematic areas, including transportation and the economy, transportation safety, transportation’s impact on energy and the environment, passenger and freight activity, and transportation and trade.

This On-Line Database currently contains 31 tables with additions planned for the future, and allows users to obtain both value data in any of the three national currencies and volume data in metric or U.S. measurement units via the time series function. Data in table or time series format can be printed or downloaded for further processing and analysis. For most tables, data are available for 1990, 1995 to 2004. The data will be updated on a regular basis, thus a few tables already contain more recent data.

The On-Line Database updates a subset of tables and figures from the North American Transportation in Figures report published in 2000. The report, also released in French, English and Spanish, includes data for 1990, 1995 and 1996, with value data reported only in current U.S. dollars and all measurement units in metric. To view and download the full report, please consult http://www.bts.gov/programs/international/natf.html.

The On-Line Database and the Figures report are products of the North American Transportation Statistics working group within the North American Transportation Statistics Interchange, a trilateral initiative among the transportation and statistical agencies of Canada, the United States and Mexico.  Underway since 1991, the Interchange provides a forum for the exchange of information and for the discussion of topics and issues related to transportation statistics among the participating countries. The last Interchange meeting was held during June 2008 in Manzanillo, Colima, Mexico. The next Interchange meeting is scheduled for the summer of 2009 in Washington, D.C.

The primary participating agencies include Statistics Canada and Transport Canada from Canada; the Secretaría de Comunicaciones y Transportes (SCT) (Ministry of Communications and Transportation), the Instituto Mexicano del Transporte (IMT) (Mexican Institute of Transportation) and the Instituto Nacional de Estadística, Geografía e Informática (INEGI) (National Institute of Statistics, Geography and Informatics) from Mexico; and the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) and the U.S. Census Bureau from the United States. Other agencies throughout the three countries participated and provided data and expertise.

Major objectives of the North American Transportation Statistics working group are to: (a) identify key information that will help provide a comprehensive view of transportation in North America, (b) characterize transportation activity and impacts across and between Canada, Mexico and the United States, (c) reveal specific data comparability differences among countries, (d) identify data and information gaps and (e) begin discussions for reducing comparability differences and data gaps through cooperative activities.

The need for North American Transportation Statistics reflects the increase in global economic growth and greater integration of trade, finance and manufacturing in recent decades. Transportation is vital in the changing global economy, linking people and places, businesses and consumers, facilitating trade and tourism, and contributing to economic development. The North American experience mirrors these worldwide trends. Reduced trade barriers and increased personal mobility have created a heightened need for information on transportation infrastructure and services among Canada, the United States, and Mexico. While the positive contributions of transportation to the national economies and to the daily life of people everywhere are important, transportation also has adverse impacts. Transportation accidents are a major cause of death and injury every year in North America. Transportation consumes significant amounts of energy, mainly derived from petroleum and also contributes to environmental problems.

The On-Line Database provides for the first time a central web based source for North American transportation statistics for all three countries on common subjects. The working group members evaluate each table for data comparability and note all definitional differences among the three countries.  Accurate data, comparable across modes and countries, is important to understand changes in dynamic transportation markets; to evaluate transportation benefits and impacts; and to support critical decision-making in the public and private sectors.