RTA Market Intelligence: Turning Industry Data into Strategic Insight
RTA’s monthly data reports provide members with the most comprehensive and current view of the wood tie market available. Compiled directly from member-submitted information, these reports deliver critical insight into tie demand, production, inventory levels, and purchasing trends, giving suppliers, producers, and railroad partners the data they need to plan with confidence.
At the core of this analysis is RTA’s Purchases Data, calculated using monthly production figures and changes in inventory. This data point serves as the foundation of RTA’s econometric forecasting model and is one of the most important indicators used to project future tie demand. Members can access the full purchases dataset in Excel format through a secure, password-protected file. For questions or access, contact ties@rta.org.
Members also receive tools to create custom scenarios and annual forecasts, allowing them to adjust assumptions and test how changing market conditions may affect outcomes. This flexible modeling approach helps companies anticipate shifts in the market and prepare strategic responses.
In addition, RTA publishes a Historical Green Tie Pricing Report, updated monthly. This report incorporates raw pricing data from The Hardwood Market Report, which is then rescaled and adjusted for inflation by RTA’s economists to provide accurate, real-world pricing trends over time.
Together, these resources equip RTA members with the insight needed to make informed decisions, manage risk, and stay ahead in a changing marketplace.
RTA Procurement Trends Dashboard
The RTA Procurement Trends Dashboard captures monthly market sentiment from active wood tie buyers across the country who are responsible for purchasing untreated crossties in their respective regions. Data is submitted within the first two weeks following each reporting period and presented in both a monthly snapshot and a rolling 12-month view, with historical tracking dating back to July 2016.
Users can customize the dashboard by selecting individual regions or grouped regions from the dropdown menus, allowing all charts and trend visuals to update dynamically based on selected criteria.
Because the data reflects real-time perspectives from buyers working across various procurement companies, the dashboard provides valuable insight into current market conditions and regional trends. As this information represents point-in-time opinions, RTA does not warrant the accuracy of the data. Questions or feedback may be directed to RTA for follow-up.