<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2006-09-28</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000099780</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>TRINITY INDUSTRIES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>NYSE/TRN</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001199859</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>STILES MARK W</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>2525 STEMMONS FREEWAY</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>DALLAS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TX</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>75207</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Senior Vice President</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2006-09-28</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>5</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>G</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>900</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>197702</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Employee Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>35.3333</value>
                <footnoteId id="F5"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2008-03-12</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>15001</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>15001</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F5"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Employee Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>26.2083</value>
                <footnoteId id="F6"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2008-12-07</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>18000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>18000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F6"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Employee Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>18.94</value>
                <footnoteId id="F7"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2014-05-10</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>22441</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>22441</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F7"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Employee Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>17.94</value>
                <footnoteId id="F8"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2015-05-09</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>25275</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>25275</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F8"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Restricted Stock Units</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>0</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>3000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>3000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F9"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Trinity Stock Units</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>0</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F4"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F4"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>84</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>84</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F10"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>by Trust</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Option Term is Ten Years.  Options vest over 4 years at twenty-five percent (25%) per year beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Option Term is Ten Years.  Options vest over 5 years at twenty percent (20%) per year beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Restricted Stock Units granted pursuant to Trinity Industries, Inc. Stock Option &amp; Incentive Plan.  Units vest in varying percentages beginning on the 3rd anniversary date of the grant wtih 100% vesting on the 5th anniversary date of the grant.  Distribution is 1 for 1 in Trinity Stock on each vesting date.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">The Trinity Stock Units were accrued under the Trinity Industries, Inc. Supplemental Profit Sharing Plan and will be settled upon the reporting  person's retirement or other termination of service or earlier for in service distributions under limited circumstances as provided by the plan.  Stock Units convert at a ratio of 1 to 1.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F5">This option was previously reported as covering 10,000 shares at an exercise price of $53.00 per share, but was adjusted to reflect the stock split that occurred on May 26, 2006.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F6">This option was previously reported as covering 12,000 shares at an exercise price of $39.3125 per share, but was adjusted to reflect the stock split that occurred on May 26, 2006.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F7">This option was previously reported as covering 14,960 shares at an exercise price of $28.41 per share, but was adjusted to reflect the stock split that occurred on May 26, 2006.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F8">This option was previously reported as covering 16,850 shares at an exercise price of $26.91 per share, but was adjusted to reflect the stock split that occurred on May 26, 2006.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F9">On May 26, 2006, the common stock of Trinity Industries, Inc. split 3-for-2, resulting in the reporting person's ownership of 1,000 additional restricted stock units.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F10">On May 26, 2006, the common stock of Trinity Industries, Inc. split 3-for-2, resulting in the reporting person's ownership of 28 additional Trinity stock units.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Michael G. Fortado  For:  Mark W. Stiles</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2006-10-02</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
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X0202
4
2006-09-28
0000099780
TRINITY INDUSTRIES INC
NYSE/TRN
0001199859
STILES MARK W
2525 STEMMONS FREEWAY
DALLAS
TX
75207
0
1
0
0
Senior Vice President
Common Stock
2006-09-28
5
G
0
900
0
D
197702
D
Employee Stock Option (right to buy)
35.3333
2008-03-12
Common Stock
15001
15001
D
Employee Stock Option (right to buy)
26.2083
2008-12-07
Common Stock
18000
18000
D
Employee Stock Option (right to buy)
18.94
2014-05-10
Common Stock
22441
22441
D
Employee Stock Option (right to buy)
17.94
2015-05-09
Common Stock
25275
25275
D
Restricted Stock Units
0
Common Stock
3000
3000
D
Trinity Stock Units
0
Common Stock
84
84
I
by Trust
Option Term is Ten Years.  Options vest over 4 years at twenty-five percent (25%) per year beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date.
Option Term is Ten Years.  Options vest over 5 years at twenty percent (20%) per year beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date.
Restricted Stock Units granted pursuant to Trinity Industries, Inc. Stock Option & Incentive Plan.  Units vest in varying percentages beginning on the 3rd anniversary date of the grant wtih 100% vesting on the 5th anniversary date of the grant.  Distribution is 1 for 1 in Trinity Stock on each vesting date.
The Trinity Stock Units were accrued under the Trinity Industries, Inc. Supplemental Profit Sharing Plan and will be settled upon the reporting  person's retirement or other termination of service or earlier for in service distributions under limited circumstances as provided by the plan.  Stock Units convert at a ratio of 1 to 1.
This option was previously reported as covering 10,000 shares at an exercise price of $53.00 per share, but was adjusted to reflect the stock split that occurred on May 26, 2006.
This option was previously reported as covering 12,000 shares at an exercise price of $39.3125 per share, but was adjusted to reflect the stock split that occurred on May 26, 2006.
This option was previously reported as covering 14,960 shares at an exercise price of $28.41 per share, but was adjusted to reflect the stock split that occurred on May 26, 2006.
This option was previously reported as covering 16,850 shares at an exercise price of $26.91 per share, but was adjusted to reflect the stock split that occurred on May 26, 2006.
On May 26, 2006, the common stock of Trinity Industries, Inc. split 3-for-2, resulting in the reporting person's ownership of 1,000 additional restricted stock units.
On May 26, 2006, the common stock of Trinity Industries, Inc. split 3-for-2, resulting in the reporting person's ownership of 28 additional Trinity stock units.
Michael G. Fortado  For:  Mark W. Stiles
2006-10-02