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U.S. Department of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation Icon United States Department of Transportation United States Department of Transportation

Table 7. Shipment Characteristics by Commodity Group and Mode of Transportation for Metropolitan Area of Origin: 2007

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Table 7. Shipment Characteristics by Commodity Group and Mode of Transportation for Metropolitan Area of Origin: 2007

Estimates are based on data from the 2007 Commodity Flow Survey. Because of rounding, estimates may not be additive.

Excel | CSV

All Commodities5

Mode of transportation Value Tons Ton-miles3 Average miles
per shipment		 Value Tons Ton-miles Average miles per shipment CV
2007
(million $)		 Percent of total 2007
(thousands)		 Percent of total 2007
(millions)		 Percent of
total		 CV4 Standard Error of % CV Standard Error of % CV Standard Error of %
All modes 243,052 100 209,792 100 33,282 100 484 6.6 - 16.7 - 9.7 - 9.8
Single modes 205,833 84.7 202,626 96.6 30,442 91.5 257 7.3 1.1 17 0.6 10.2 1.9 11.7
Truck6 200,373 82.4 199,462 95.1 28,789 86.5 232 7.7 1.3 17.2 0.8 10.5 2.1 11.5
For-hire truck 121,329 49.9 79,390 37.8 20,172 60.6 487 8.1 2.7 18.5 5.3 12.4 4.3 8.1
Private truck 79,043 32.5 120,072 57.2 8,617 25.9 64 15.5 2.7 26.7 5.4 29.1 4.7 15.6
Rail 1,230 0.5 3,094 1.5 1,600 4.8 683 15.8 0.1 25.4 0.6 26.3 1.4 14.6
Water S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Shallow draft S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Air (incl truck and air) 4,228 1.7 69 - 53 0.2 1,044 25.6 0.5 26.4 - 29 - 12.7
Multiple modes 33,065 13.6 2,963 1.4 2,117 6.4 700 7.4 1 17.5 0.3 21.3 1.8 6.6
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 30,622 12.6 1,069 0.5 584 1.8 700 6.9 1 11.5 0.1 10.6 0.2 6.6
Truck and rail 1,640 0.7 1,739 0.8 1,284 3.9 S 30.9 0.2 26.5 0.3 32.4 1.7 S
Truck and water 742 0.3 S S S S 2,381 31.2 0.1 S S S S 16.9
Rail and water S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Other multiple modes S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Other and unknown modes 4,154 1.7 4,203 2 723 2.2 S 14.4 0.3 41.4 0.6 44.6 0.8 S

SCTG2 01-05, Agriculture products and fish

Mode of transportation Value Tons Ton-miles3 Average miles
per shipment		 Value Tons Ton-miles Average miles per shipment CV
2007
(million $)		 Percent of total 2007
(thousands)		 Percent of total 2007
(millions)		 Percent of
total		 CV4 Standard Error of % CV Standard Error of % CV Standard Error of %
All modes 12,330 100 8,611 100 2,053 100 278 13.6 - 27.7 - 18.5 - 23.5
Single modes 12,126 98.3 8,483 98.5 1,913 93.2 96 13.5 0.6 27.2 0.4 17.3 3.3 32.2
Truck6 12,125 98.3 8,483 98.5 1,913 93.2 96 13.5 0.6 27.2 0.4 17.3 3.3 32.2
For-hire truck 4,662 37.8 2,682 31.1 1,102 53.7 457 28.7 5.1 18.4 6.6 22.5 6.2 8.8
Private truck 7,464 60.5 5,801 67.4 810 39.5 81 12.2 5 39.5 6.4 24.1 5.8 34.7
Air (incl truck and air) S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Multiple modes 197 1.6 S S S S 842 49.5 0.9 S S S S 28.2
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier S S S S S S 842 S S S S S S 30.9
Truck and rail S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Truck and water S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Other and unknown modes S S S S S S S S S S S S S S

SCTG2 06-09, Grains, alcohol, and tobacco products

Mode of transportation Value Tons Ton-miles3 Average miles
per shipment		 Value Tons Ton-miles Average miles per shipment CV
2007
(million $)		 Percent of total 2007
(thousands)		 Percent of total 2007
(millions)		 Percent of
total		 CV4 Standard Error of % CV Standard Error of % CV Standard Error of %
All modes 17,014 100 10,972 100 3,372 100 385 16.1 - 25.1 - 23.4 - 25.8
Single modes 16,435 96.6 10,737 97.9 3,216 95.4 98 15.8 1 25.5 1.1 23.6 1.9 20.2
Truck6 16,435 96.6 10,736 97.9 3,215 95.4 98 15.8 1 25.5 1.1 23.6 1.9 20.2
For-hire truck 9,921 58.3 7,087 64.6 2,797 83 490 23.9 4.8 34.7 6.6 26.3 4.8 20.2
Private truck 6,514 38.3 3,649 33.3 418 12.4 58 20 5.1 28.9 6.6 30.6 4.2 22.6
Air (incl truck and air) S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Multiple modes 384 2.3 S S 139 4.1 849 43.7 0.7 S S 49.4 2.3 36.3
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 264 1.5 S S S S 848 49.7 0.8 S S S S 19.7
Truck and rail 121 0.7 S S S S 2,139 40.3 0.4 S S S S 8.2
Other and unknown modes S S S S 17 0.5 S S S S S 40.3 0.7 S

SCTG2 10-14, Stones, nonmetallic minerals, and metallic ores

Mode of transportation Value Tons Ton-miles3 Average miles
per shipment		 Value Tons Ton-miles Average miles per shipment CV
2007
(million $)		 Percent of total 2007
(thousands)		 Percent of total 2007
(millions)		 Percent of
total		 CV4 Standard Error of % CV Standard Error of % CV Standard Error of %
All modes 979 100 58,697 100 2,369 100 51 23.6 - 25.4 - 36.5 - 18.1
Single modes 966 98.6 58,174 99.1 2,066 87.2 32 23.4 0.5 25.4 0.5 30.2 4.2 18.7
Truck6 965 98.6 58,116 99 2,034 85.9 31 23.4 0.6 25.4 0.5 30.7 4.3 18
For-hire truck 387 39.5 18,612 31.7 S S 33 47.1 8.7 44.1 8.8 S S 40.9
Private truck 578 59.1 39,504 67.3 1,182 49.9 31 18.5 9 23.3 8.9 23.2 10.2 44.8
Rail S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Multiple modes S S S S S S 854 S S S S S S 31.4
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier S S S S S S 854 S S S S S S 31.4
Truck and rail - - 15 - 11 0.5 728 39.4 0.5 17 0.2 26.9 3.3 10.2
Other and unknown modes S S S S S S 496 S S S S S S 33.6

SCTG2 15-19, Coal and petroleum products

Mode of transportation Value Tons Ton-miles3 Average miles
per shipment		 Value Tons Ton-miles Average miles per shipment CV
2007
(million $)		 Percent of total 2007
(thousands)		 Percent of total 2007
(millions)		 Percent of
total		 CV4 Standard Error of % CV Standard Error of % CV Standard Error of %
All modes S S S S 1,152 100 46 S S S S 48.5 - 13.6
Single modes S S S S 1,151 100 43 S S S S 48.5 0.1 13.6
Truck6 S S S S 1,151 100 43 S S S S 48.5 0.1 13.6
For-hire truck 7,382 37.2 15,795 45.9 611 53.1 S 41.5 14.3 45.8 13.2 48 10.4 S
Private truck S S S S S S 36 S S S S S S 19.1
Multiple modes 4 - S S S S 473 48.5 - S S S S 30
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 4 - S S S S 473 48.5 - S S S S 30
Other and unknown modes S S S S S S S S S S S S S S

SCTG2 20-24, Basic chemicals, chemical, and pharmaceutical products

Mode of transportation Value Tons Ton-miles3 Average miles
per shipment		 Value Tons Ton-miles Average miles per shipment CV
2007
(million $)		 Percent of total 2007
(thousands)		 Percent of total 2007
(millions)		 Percent of
total		 CV4 Standard Error of % CV Standard Error of % CV Standard Error of %
All modes 40,912 100 S S 6,692 100 434 15.1 - S S 30.2 - 13.8
Single modes 32,383 79.2 S S 6,073 90.7 345 17.3 5.5 S S 34.1 7.3 14.2
Truck6 31,954 78.1 S S 5,953 88.9 343 17.7 5.7 S S 34.6 7.3 13.7
For-hire truck 25,870 63.2 7,614 28.7 3,570 53.3 461 20.8 5.8 14.3 14.1 21.6 10.5 11.7
Private truck 6,084 14.9 S S S S 105 22.9 3.7 S S S S 28.2
Rail 209 0.5 200 0.8 116 1.7 720 17.2 0.6 27.7 1.1 25.4 1.6 48
Air (incl truck and air) S S S S 4 0.1 735 S S S S 46.7 0.1 11.8
Multiple modes 7,779 19 S S S S 496 29.7 5.6 S S S S 16.4
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 7,183 17.6 259 1 130 1.9 495 33.5 4.3 25.8 0.9 30.2 0.7 16.5
Truck and rail S S S S S S 949 S S S S S S 33.4
Truck and water S S 4 - S S 1,723 S S 48.5 0.2 S S 18.1
Other multiple modes S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Other and unknown modes 750 1.8 299 1.1 106 1.6 S 20.1 0.6 34.9 1.6 49.6 1 S

SCTG2 25-30, Logs, wood products, and textile and leather

Mode of transportation Value Tons Ton-miles3 Average miles
per shipment		 Value Tons Ton-miles Average miles per shipment CV
2007
(million $)		 Percent of total 2007
(thousands)		 Percent of total 2007
(millions)		 Percent of
total		 CV4 Standard Error of % CV Standard Error of % CV Standard Error of %
All modes 20,480 100 16,532 100 7,589 100 817 8.5 - 11.3 - 22.3 - 15.3
Single modes 17,918 87.5 15,769 95.4 7,121 93.8 516 9.5 2.4 11.7 1.2 23 2.1 18.6
Truck6 17,717 86.5 14,753 89.2 6,180 81.4 474 9.6 2.4 11.5 2 21.1 3.1 17.7
For-hire truck 10,857 53 7,961 48.2 5,418 71.4 741 10.6 3.7 19.3 5.7 23.4 3.9 12.2
Private truck 6,860 33.5 6,792 41.1 761 10 68 13 3 19.2 6.6 18.1 3.5 19.2
Rail 194 0.9 1,016 6.1 939 12.4 1,041 21.6 0.4 33 2.5 40.6 3 16
Water S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Shallow draft S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Air (incl truck and air) 6 - S S S S 4,404 39.1 - S S S S 24.4
Multiple modes 1,853 9 495 3 407 5.4 915 19 1.8 42.1 1.1 46.9 2.1 13.2
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 1,504 7.3 98 0.6 54 0.7 918 26.2 1.8 16.1 0.1 24.9 0.3 13.3
Truck and rail S S 392 2.4 S S S S S 49 1.4 S S S
Truck and water S S 6 - 7 0.1 1,175 S S 26.3 - 26.7 0.1 6.8
Other and unknown modes 708 3.5 268 1.6 62 0.8 830 38.3 1.3 41.5 0.7 43.3 0.4 27.4

SCTG2 31-34, Base metal and machinery

Mode of transportation Value Tons Ton-miles3 Average miles
per shipment		 Value Tons Ton-miles Average miles per shipment CV
2007
(million $)		 Percent of total 2007
(thousands)		 Percent of total 2007
(millions)		 Percent of
total		 CV4 Standard Error of % CV Standard Error of % CV Standard Error of %
All modes 34,956 100 28,984 100 4,717 100 459 14.5 - 19.8 - 19.2 - 9.6
Single modes 29,853 85.4 28,235 97.4 4,303 91.2 335 17.7 3.6 20.3 0.6 20.1 2.1 12.4
Truck6 28,648 82 27,983 96.5 4,180 88.6 323 18.4 4.6 20.5 0.9 20.4 2.2 11.2
For-hire truck 17,374 49.7 11,863 40.9 2,890 61.3 503 19.4 4 32.9 6.4 19.3 3.6 14.3
Private truck 11,274 32.3 16,120 55.6 1,289 27.3 111 19.5 3.3 18.9 5.9 24.2 2.6 18.3
Rail 180 0.5 224 0.8 106 2.2 S 44.9 0.5 32.1 0.7 34.6 1.2 S
Air (incl truck and air) 1,025 2.9 28 0.1 S S 1,242 38.3 1.4 49.6 - S S 19.2
Multiple modes 4,652 13.3 566 2 396 8.4 578 19.9 3.6 20.7 0.5 25.8 2.1 14.5
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 4,110 11.8 127 0.4 69 1.5 578 23.9 3.8 20 0.2 15.5 0.4 14.7
Truck and rail 359 1 437 1.5 323 6.8 S 35.7 0.6 24.4 0.4 31.2 2.3 S
Truck and water S S S S S S 1,658 S S S S S S 21.1
Other and unknown modes 451 1.3 183 0.6 18 0.4 S 39.3 0.6 37.2 0.4 30.5 0.2 S

SCTG2 35-38, Electronic, motorized vehicles, and precision instruments

Mode of transportation Value Tons Ton-miles3 Average miles
per shipment		 Value Tons Ton-miles Average miles per shipment CV
2007
(million $)		 Percent of total 2007
(thousands)		 Percent of total 2007
(millions)		 Percent of
total		 CV4 Standard Error of % CV Standard Error of % CV Standard Error of %
All modes 58,896 100 4,948 100 1,558 100 443 10.1 - 15.6 - 18.3 - 14.4
Single modes 44,628 75.8 3,731 75.4 1,373 88.1 249 12.8 3 13.4 5.9 20.9 3.1 24.2
Truck6 41,427 70.3 3,604 72.8 1,323 84.9 195 13.6 4.1 13.5 5.7 21.3 3.5 28
For-hire truck 32,201 54.7 2,691 54.4 1,137 73 461 15 4.1 12.9 5.3 18.7 3.6 9.9
Private truck 9,226 15.7 913 18.4 186 11.9 S 18.9 2.3 18.4 2.5 46.1 3.1 S
Rail 231 0.4 96 1.9 21 1.4 223 11.4 0.4 30.3 2 31.4 0.9 1
Air (incl truck and air) 2,969 5 31 0.6 28 1.8 938 38.4 2 38.8 0.4 36.2 0.7 8
Multiple modes 12,846 21.8 269 5.4 145 9.3 713 12.1 3.3 27.4 1.8 20.5 2.1 5.2
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 12,532 21.3 239 4.8 130 8.4 713 12 3.2 30.4 1.6 23.8 2.1 5.2
Truck and rail S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Truck and water S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Other and unknown modes 1,423 2.4 S S 40 2.6 S 34 0.7 S S 43.2 1.8 S

SCTG2 39-43, Furniture, mixed freight and misc. manufactured products

Mode of transportation Value Tons Ton-miles3 Average miles
per shipment		 Value Tons Ton-miles Average miles per shipment CV
2007
(million $)		 Percent of total 2007
(thousands)		 Percent of total 2007
(millions)		 Percent of
total		 CV4 Standard Error of % CV Standard Error of % CV Standard Error of %
All modes 37,617 100 20,059 100 3,777 100 459 11.2 - 24.6 - 17.4 - 12
Single modes 31,673 84.2 17,486 87.2 3,223 85.3 251 13.6 4.3 26.6 4.9 17.4 3.5 10.8
Truck6 31,255 83.1 16,004 79.8 2,840 75.2 248 14.1 4.3 29 6 20.2 5.3 11.1
For-hire truck 12,674 33.7 5,084 25.3 1,793 47.5 467 19.6 3.3 27.2 3.8 23.2 4.6 14.7
Private truck 18,581 49.4 10,920 54.4 1,047 27.7 112 15.4 4.4 31.6 6.4 18.1 3.8 14.8
Rail 411 1.1 S S S S 320 49 2.2 S S S S 26.3
Air (incl truck and air) 8 - S S S S 734 30 - S S S S 8.4
Multiple modes 5,341 14.2 737 3.7 366 9.7 608 19 3.7 21.4 1.8 23.8 3.4 11.5
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 4,893 13 284 1.4 157 4.2 607 20.7 3.8 31.5 1.7 34.7 3 11.7
Truck and rail 211 0.6 401 2 118 3.1 684 23 0.3 42.4 0.7 24.7 0.7 32.5
Truck and water 181 0.5 40 0.2 75 2 3,456 43.1 0.5 41.1 0.3 41.2 3 43.9
Rail and water S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Other and unknown modes 603 1.6 S S S S S 46.2 1.1 S S S S S

SCTG2 99, Commodity Unknown

Mode of transportation Value Tons Ton-miles3 Average miles
per shipment		 Value Tons Ton-miles Average miles per shipment CV
2007
(million $)		 Percent of total 2007
(thousands)		 Percent of total 2007
(millions)		 Percent of
total		 CV4 Standard Error of % CV Standard Error of % CV Standard Error of %
All modes S S S S S S 742 S S S S S S 29
Single modes S S S S S S 418 S S S S S S 24.5
Truck6 S S S S S S 478 S S S S S S 3.6
For-hire truck S S S S S S 478 S S S S S S 3.6
Rail S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Multiple modes S S S S S S 767 S S S S S S 41.2
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier S S S S S S 767 S S S S S S 41.2

KEY: S = Estimate does not meet publication standards because of high sampling variability or poor response quality. - = Zero or Less than half the unit shown; thus, it has been rounded to zero.

1 Commodity Flow Survey (CFS) geographic areas were drawn from a subset of Combined Statistical Areas (CSAs) and Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MeSAs) as defined by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). However, CFS metropolitan areas are divided into their state parts when they include more than one state. In addition, the CFS also utilizes a unique geography referred to as, "remainder of state," to represent those areas of a state not contained within a separately published metropolitan area for the CFS (as opposed to not part of any Core-Based Statistical Area (CBSA) as defined by OMB). Because of the differences in the CFS geography, as compared to OMB defined geography, caution should be exercised when comparing CFS estimates to other estimates of similar geography.
2 Standard Classification of Transported Goods.
3 Ton-miles estimates are based on estimated distances traveled along a modeled transportation network.
4 Coefficient of Variation.
5 Estimates exclude shipments of crude petroleum (SCTG 16).
6 "Truck" as a single mode includes any shipment that was made by private truck only, by for-hire truck only, or by a combination of private and for-hire truck.
7 Estimates for pipeline exclude shipments of crude petroleum.

NOTES: Value-of-shipment estimates are reported in current prices. Estimated measures of sampling variability for each estimate known as coefficients of variation (CV) are also provided in these tables. More information on sampling error, confidentiality protection, nonsampling error, sample design, and definitions may be found at http://www.bts.gov/publications/commodity_flow_survey/.
Rows are not shown if all cells for that particular row have no value. For example, Dallas-Fort Worth, TX by Base metal and machinery (31-34) by Water has no data for any shipment characteristic therefore the entire row is not shown. Also, entire commodity groups are not present if there is no such data for that commodity group by area. For example, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV (DC part) by Coal and petroleum products (15-19) has no data for any mode therefore the entire commodity group is not shown.

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Transportation, Research and Innovative Technology Administration, Bureau of Transportation Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Census Bureau, 2007 Economic Census: Transportation Commodity Flow Survey, December 2009.