WASHINGTON — Trade using surface transportation between the U.S. and its neighbors to the north and south, was 17.4 percent higher in February 2012 than in February 2011, totaling $78.1 billion, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) of the U.S. Department of Transportation.

BTS, a part of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration, reported that the February 2012 value of U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico rose 12.6 percent from February 2008 — two months after the start of the recession, and rose 63 percent from February 2009, the middle of the recession.

The value of U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico in February increased by 87.3 percent compared to February 2002, a period of 10 years. Imports in February were up 75.9 percent since February 2002, while exports were up 102.8 percent.

February saw 87.4 percent of U.S. trade by value with Canada and Mexico moved via land, 8.7 percent moved by vessel, and 3.9 percent moved by air.

U.S.-Canada and U.S.-Mexico surface transportation trade in February 2012 both increased compared to February 2011, with U.S.-Canada reaching $45.4 billion, a 13.7 percent increase, and U.S.-Mexico reaching $32.7 billion, a 23 percent increase.

Surface transportation includes freight movements by truck, rail, pipeline, mail, Foreign Trade Zones, and other.