USA Banner

Official US Government Icon

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure Site Icon

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

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 77,119 100 62,024 100 10,619 100 414 9.6 - 15.2 - 15.9 - 17.9
Single modes 65,372 84.8 59,609 96.1 8,158 76.8 99 10.9 1.5 15.6 1.2 18 7.2 9.7
Truck6 63,135 81.9 58,267 93.9 7,409 69.8 92 10.9 1.9 15.8 1.5 18.9 7 9.5
For-hire truck 30,532 39.6 28,073 45.3 5,574 52.5 204 8 3 18.9 3 20.8 5.3 41.6
Private truck 32,603 42.3 30,194 48.7 1,835 17.3 45 19.5 3.5 16.4 3.8 16.2 2.6 6.4
Rail 932 1.2 1,321 2.1 737 6.9 505 29.7 0.3 32.6 0.8 33.2 2.2 19.1
Water S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Shallow draft S S S S S S 4 S S S S S S -
Deep draft S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Air (incl truck and air) S S 10 - 12 0.1 1,225 S S 25.8 - 32.6 0.1 6.4
Multiple modes 10,451 13.6 1,600 2.6 2,246 21.1 803 13.4 1.8 34.5 1.1 47 7.3 12
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 8,742 11.3 350 0.6 246 2.3 801 17.2 1.9 34.6 0.1 42.8 0.7 12.2
Truck and rail 1,519 2 S S S S 1,459 47.1 1.1 S S S S 19
Truck and water 92 0.1 14 - S S 581 28.5 0.2 26.9 - S S 32.9
Rail and water 97 0.1 2 - S S 212 32 0.3 46.1 - S S -
Other multiple modes S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Other and unknown modes 1,296 1.7 S S S S 109 41.8 0.7 S S S S 31.4

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 2,048 100 1,227 100 151 100 107 20.9 - 31.8 - 30 - 27
Single modes 2,025 98.9 1,220 99.5 142 94 56 20.6 0.6 31.9 0.2 31.3 3.9 29.6
Truck6 2,018 98.5 1,208 98.5 137 90.5 53 20.8 1.1 32.2 0.9 32.4 4.3 20.5
For-hire truck 318 15.5 S S 83 55 S 43 11.2 S S 48.6 16.5 S
Private truck 1,700 83 763 62.2 54 35.5 46 22.4 7 25.5 11.9 30.6 14.9 12.1
Rail S S S S 5 3.5 S S S S S 39.5 15.4 S
Air (incl truck and air) S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Multiple modes S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Other and unknown modes 3 0.1 S S S S S 44.4 0.3 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 8,754 100 6,517 100 1,589 100 S 12.7 - 33.8 - 27 - S
Single modes 8,249 94.2 6,294 96.6 1,191 74.9 S 12.5 2 34.3 1.7 27.2 7.2 S
Truck6 8,222 93.9 6,235 95.7 1,174 73.9 S 12.4 2 33.7 1.7 26.5 7.3 S
For-hire truck 4,444 50.8 2,764 42.4 905 57 295 14.7 5 21.9 7.9 25.5 5.9 31
Private truck 3,778 43.2 3,471 53.3 269 16.9 34 17.9 6.3 49.3 8.7 47 5.8 14.7
Rail S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Multiple modes 500 5.7 221 3.4 398 25.1 S 27.9 2.5 41.1 2.4 37 8.2 S
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier S S S S S S 901 S S S S S S 18.7
Truck and rail 428 4.9 214 3.3 394 24.8 1,474 33.4 3.1 40.5 2.8 34.6 9.2 43.3
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 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 560 100 18,574 100 910 100 45 21.8 - 22.9 - 29.7 - 42.9
Single modes 521 92.9 18,402 99.1 856 94.1 44 21.9 4 23.1 0.8 32.2 5.3 43
Truck6 459 81.9 18,367 98.9 814 89.5 44 24 7 23.1 0.8 30.4 5 41.2
For-hire truck 285 50.9 9,679 52.1 559 61.4 S 26.1 8.3 20.3 8.1 34.6 10.4 S
Private truck 174 31.1 8,688 46.8 255 28.1 28 30.9 10.1 36.8 8.8 36.1 10 16.3
Rail S S 24 0.1 42 4.6 1,697 S S 20 0.3 37 5.5 19.2
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) S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Multiple modes S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier S S S S S S 34 S S S S S S 29.2
Truck and rail S S S S S S 1,565 S S S S S S 13.9
Other multiple modes S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Other and unknown modes - 0.1 S S S S 13 2.5 0.8 S S S S 47.7

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 4,108 100 6,797 100 237 100 S 29.4 - 25.7 - 32.5 - S
Single modes 4,091 99.6 6,474 95.2 232 97.8 S 29.6 2.2 25.9 2.9 33.4 2.5 S
Truck6 4,083 99.4 6,463 95.1 232 97.6 30 29.8 3.3 25.9 3 33.5 3.5 10.5
For-hire truck 1,693 41.2 2,949 43.4 117 49.2 S 44.8 8.4 36.5 8.7 44.2 8.9 S
Private truck 2,390 58.2 3,514 51.7 115 48.4 28 27.5 9.2 30.8 10.6 30.6 10 10.7
Rail S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Air (incl truck and air) S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Multiple modes 6 0.1 S S S S 83 20 2.9 S S S S 24.5
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Truck and rail 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 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 14,395 100 8,559 100 3,877 100 201 19.3 - 27.7 - 34.3 - 26.8
Single modes 12,409 86.2 7,688 89.8 2,352 60.7 91 19 3.1 29.8 4.5 38.6 12 47.3
Truck6 12,087 84 7,558 88.3 2,241 57.8 88 19.7 3.5 30.4 4.2 40.7 10.3 47.7
For-hire truck 9,070 63 4,036 47.2 1,758 45.4 S 24.2 4.9 37.1 7.3 44.1 9.3 S
Private truck 3,017 21 3,522 41.1 483 12.5 63 20.9 5.1 32.8 6.4 38 4.6 12.2
Rail S S S S S S 880 S S S S S S 32.8
Air (incl truck and air) 148 1 2 - 2 - 949 44.4 0.9 39.9 0.1 38.5 0.2 21.5
Multiple modes 1,923 13.4 S S S S 657 32.8 3 S S S S 19
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 819 5.7 S S S S 638 25.1 2.4 S S S S 17.5
Truck and rail S S S S S S 1,575 S S S S S S 26.7
Truck and water S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Rail and water 97 0.7 2 - S S 212 32 2.9 46.1 0.1 S S -
Other and unknown modes S S S S S S S S S S S S S 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 5,758 100 3,049 100 438 100 435 9.5 - 20.9 - 20.7 - 13.3
Single modes 4,522 78.5 2,939 96.4 407 92.8 214 10.3 3.3 22.2 2.1 23.1 4.2 34.3
Truck6 4,521 78.5 2,939 96.4 407 92.8 213 10.3 3.3 22.2 2.1 23.1 4.1 34.6
For-hire truck 1,404 24.4 1,680 55.1 341 77.9 693 17.3 5 35.7 8.3 27.6 6.2 24.3
Private truck 3,117 54.1 1,258 41.3 65 14.9 57 15.9 6 31 7.3 36.6 4.9 22
Air (incl truck and air) S S S S S S 910 S S S S S S 22.3
Multiple modes 1,124 19.5 37 1.2 12 2.7 624 20.5 3.5 25.6 0.5 21.3 1.3 11.2
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 1,124 19.5 36 1.2 12 2.6 624 20.5 3.5 25.6 0.5 21.6 1.3 11.2
Truck and water S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Other and unknown modes 111 1.9 74 2.4 S S S 31.2 0.7 43.6 2.5 S S S

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 10,720 100 11,928 100 2,267 100 314 6.2 - 16.6 - 16.7 - 30.7
Single modes 9,636 89.9 11,767 98.6 2,234 98.6 126 7.3 2.7 16.7 0.8 16.6 0.4 23.5
Truck6 9,087 84.8 10,758 90.2 1,733 76.5 119 7.9 3.7 17.8 4.6 13.7 6.3 23.4
For-hire truck 5,847 54.5 5,317 44.6 1,455 64.2 410 13.8 4.9 16.6 6.5 17.3 6.1 15.7
Private truck 3,241 30.2 5,440 45.6 278 12.3 43 15.7 5.7 28.9 8.1 32.6 5.8 20.2
Rail 516 4.8 1,008 8.4 497 21.9 438 36.3 2.5 35.1 5.2 40.6 6.6 17.8
Air (incl truck and air) S S S S S S 1,437 S S S S S S 17.8
Multiple modes 1,008 9.4 53 0.4 S S 529 27.9 2.6 36.3 0.2 S S 24.8
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 991 9.2 21 0.2 11 0.5 530 28.2 2.6 35.5 0.1 38.8 0.2 24.8
Truck and rail S S 29 0.2 S S S S S 39.9 0.3 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 3 0.1 S S S S S 45.3 0.1 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 13,886 100 S S S S 820 21.5 - S S S S 15.5
Single modes 8,442 60.8 S S S S 189 28.6 8.1 S S S S 42
Truck6 7,541 54.3 S S S S 124 28.5 7.8 S S S S 49.2
For-hire truck 3,788 27.3 231 20.5 117 19.4 599 19.3 6.9 36.4 10.3 46.1 12.1 12.8
Private truck 3,753 27 S S S S 50 39.5 6.4 S S S S 31.6
Air (incl truck and air) S S 5 0.4 5 0.8 1,249 S S 38.9 0.8 36.3 1.8 8.9
Multiple modes 4,644 33.4 S S S S 932 29.2 9.1 S S S S 11.4
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 4,625 33.3 S S S S 932 29.5 9.2 S S S S 11.4
Truck and rail S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Truck and water 10 0.1 2 0.2 S S S 0.2 0.7 38.3 2.4 S S S
Other and unknown modes S S S S S S 571 S S S S S S 35.8

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 16,884 100 4,242 100 546 100 301 40.7 - 24.4 - 18.9 - 30.1
Single modes 15,476 91.7 4,088 96.4 463 84.8 97 43.8 5 25.3 1.4 21.2 6.3 16.8
Truck6 15,114 89.5 4,008 94.5 395 72.3 94 44.9 5.2 25.9 2 21.3 6.5 15.3
For-hire truck 3,683 21.8 971 22.9 238 43.6 287 25.1 6.7 23.9 5.1 20.1 5.8 27.4
Private truck S S 3,037 71.6 157 28.7 50 S S 29.2 6.3 40.7 6.3 8.6
Rail 160 0.9 79 1.9 67 12.3 849 36.5 1.5 38.4 2.1 37.9 6.4 4.1
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
Deep draft S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Air (incl truck and air) S S 1 - 1 0.2 S S S 48.6 - 38.5 0.2 S
Multiple modes 1,182 7 84 2 71 13 693 14.9 4.7 14.9 0.8 16.7 6.1 12.5
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 1,088 6.4 63 1.5 36 6.5 692 18.4 4.8 21.4 0.8 25.5 6.5 12.6
Truck and rail 34 0.2 15 0.4 31 5.8 2,094 27.6 0.4 25.8 0.7 21.9 6.6 12.8
Truck and water 60 0.4 6 0.1 S S S 12.3 3.1 0.3 0.8 S S S
Other and unknown modes 226 1.3 70 1.6 S S S 39.3 1.2 48.2 1.4 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 772 S S S S S S 49.4
Single modes S S S S S S 36 S S S S S S 46.5
Truck6 S S S S S S 36 S S S S S S 46.5
Private truck S S S S S S 36 S S S S S S 46.5
Multiple modes S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier S S S S S S S S S S S S S S

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.