Energy Intensity of Various Transportation modes: Passenger and Freight Movements

This report is intended as a resource document for use by transportation analysts in comparing the energy intensities of various transportation alternatives. "Energy intensity" is defined as the energy use per unit of productive output.

Transportation accounts for a significant portion of the total energy consumption in the United States, utilizing over 25 percent of the annual total. Consequently, the energy impacts of transportation alternatives are a critical national concern. Any reduction in energy consumption which can be realized in the transportation sector will contribute substantially toward the alleviation of the U.S. energy problem.