Source: BTS.

Share of Total Domestic Freight Activity by Mode, 1996 (% of total domestic metric ton-km)

Modes servicing freight transport demand vary substantially according to the geographical setting. Most of the domestic freight carried by continental European countries (France, Germany and Italy) is dominantly assumed by road transportation (60 to 70% of all ton-kilometers), mainly because the concerned distances are short. Railways assume a rather marginal role (10 to 20%) as their major function is geared towards servicing the passenger transport demand. Maritime transportation plays a more significant domestic role (25%) in the United Kingdom due to insularity. As far as Japan is concerned, maritime shipping services about 60% of the domestic freight demand. The island nation is fragmented and most of the cities are located nearby the coast. The continental scale of Canada and the United States is linked with a reliance on rail as a support to domestic freight transportation (40 to 50%). Since those two countries are significant producers and consumers of oil, pipelines account for a noticeable share of domestic ton-kilometers.