Vehicle Inventory and Use Survey (VIUS)
What is VIUS?
The VIUS has been the principal data source on the physical and operational characteristics of the United States truck population. Its primary goal is to gain an understanding nationally and statewide on how trucks are being utilized for various goods transport.
- 2021 VIUS Public Use File
- 2021 VIUS Public Use File Data on the Microdata Access Tool (MDAT)
- 2021 VIUS Tabulation Tool
- Selected Tables from the 2021 VIUS
- Complete 2021 VIUS Data Tables
- 2021 VIUS Methodology Document
- Restricted-Use Data Application: Apply to request access to the Title 13 (T13) VIUS dataset
- Survey Design Changes That Affect the Comparability of the 2002 and 2021 VIUS Estimates
- Existing Data Sources That Can Be Used in Conjunction with the Vehicle Inventory and Use Survey (VIUS)
The 2021 VIUS was conducted for the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) by the U.S. Census Bureau with support from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Department of Energy (DOE) to better understand the characteristics and use of vehicles on our nation's roads. The data can be used to guide investments in our nation's infrastructure and vehicle technologies as well as to evaluate truck safety needs and conservation practices. BTS is proud to have brought back this survey with the support of its partners after 20 years.
The 2021 VIUS was a survey of 150,000 vehicle owners of class 1 through 8 trucks. The vehicles included in the 2021 VIUS were pickups, SUVs, minivans, light vans, straight trucks, and truck tractors. Dependent on the size of the selected vehicle, the vehicle owner received either the Heavy Vehicle Questionnaire or the Light Vehicle Questionnaire. The survey was conducted from February through October 2022.
The 2021 VIUS collected data on:
- Vehicle safety technologies, such as, collision warning, parking assist, and vehicle to vehicle communications
- Vehicle fuel types, including alternative fuel sources
- Vehicle maintenance costs and level of repairs
- The uses of vehicles, including how often they were used, how far they traveled, why they traveled, the type of use (personal vs. business), and the type of economic activity served
- Vehicle miles traveled and fuel economy by weight, type, configuration, and age of vehicle
- Axle configurations, trailers hauled, and operating weight
- Equipment added after manufacture of the chassis
- Commodities carried
- And more!
Current VIUS estimates are of critical importance to federal agencies, state departments of transportation, metropolitan planning organizations, business, and drivers alike.
Results from the 2021 survey will:
Provide statistics and data for:
- Vehicle size and weight studies
- Tracking the deployment of driver-assistance technology
- Input to freight demand models and air quality models
- Role of motor vehicles in the economy
- Fuel efficiency of the Nation's truck fleet
- Analyses of fees and allocation of cost among highway users
- Highway traveler exposure to potential safety risks
Guide investments into:
- Better roadways, bridges, fueling stations, and other transportation infrastructure at the local and state level
- Decrease traffic congestion and energy usage on the nation’s roadways
- Increase safety and the ability to move goods more effectively
- And more!
A Title 13 (T13) dataset of the 2021 VIUS data is now available for researchers to request through the Federal Statistical Research Data Center (FSRDC). Title 13 data is information collected directly by the Census Bureau.
Researchers need to request FSRDC access and receive Special Sworn Status (SSS) clearance. The project must provide a benefit back to the Census Bureau and estimates must have Disclosure Review Board (DRB) approval before being released. Lastly, the data cannot be used for regulatory purposes. More details on the process of applying for FSRDC access and SSS clearance can be found here.
Please direct inquires and interest to: VIUS@dot.gov and ERD.VIUS@census.gov.