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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 41,027 100 82,253 100 19,336 100 144 15.8 - 19.5 - 15.5 - 22.1
Single modes 32,953 80.3 67,921 82.6 14,372 74.3 71 17.4 4.7 19.9 4.3 16.9 5.9 23.4
Truck6 7,663 18.7 20,095 24.4 1,859 9.6 65 16.4 5.8 18.6 6.8 22.7 5.7 18.8
For-hire truck 3,298 8 10,582 12.9 1,218 6.3 216 23.7 2.8 32.9 6.7 26.4 4.1 35
Private truck 4,365 10.6 9,513 11.6 641 3.3 36 22.6 3.5 18.5 2.6 33.5 1.9 17.9
Rail 976 2.4 2,302 2.8 2,904 15 1,235 16.8 2.2 26.5 1.3 33.1 5.4 12.7
Water 4,053 9.9 8,558 10.4 S S S 36.8 4.2 33.6 4.6 S S S
Shallow draft S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Deep draft 2,623 6.4 5,611 6.8 S S 399 20.9 3.8 25.6 5 S S 44.6
Air (incl truck and air) S S S S - - 1,109 S S S S 2.9 - 3.7
Pipeline7 20,256 49.4 36,965 44.9 S S S 23.7 7.8 29.6 8.2 S S S
Multiple modes 8,012 19.5 13,990 17 4,954 25.6 800 31.6 4.7 36.9 4.2 30.2 5.9 12.8
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 336 0.8 6 - 4 - 818 21.7 0.5 23 - 27.9 0.1 12.5
Truck and rail 133 0.3 S S 158 0.8 S 34.2 0.5 S S 34.1 0.2 S
Truck and water S S S S S S 226 S S S S S S 10.4
Rail and water 287 0.7 437 0.5 371 1.9 1,126 44.2 1 36.3 0.6 50 2.4 36.2
Other multiple modes 5,340 13 8,461 10.3 3,554 18.4 549 31.1 4.7 25.6 3.7 23.1 4.9 27.4
Other and unknown modes 61 0.1 S S S S S 37 0.1 S S S S 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 S S 875 100 S S S S S 43.1 - S S S
Single modes S S 760 86.9 S S S S S 37.3 6.2 S S S
Truck6 S S 760 86.9 S S S S S 37.3 6.2 S S S
For-hire truck S S 417 47.6 S S S S S 46 15.4 S S S
Private truck S S 343 39.3 S S S S S 44.6 16.9 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 674 S S S S S S 17.8
Truck and rail S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Other and unknown modes 6 0.9 2 0.3 S S 218 2.8 10.6 18.3 0.7 S S 18.2

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 569 100 S S S S S 42.9 - S S S S S
Single modes 562 98.7 S S S S S 43.5 1.7 S S S S S
Truck6 562 98.7 S S S S S 43.5 1.7 S S S S S
For-hire truck S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Private truck 548 96.3 436 85.4 S S S 42.3 1.8 43.6 5 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 105 100 7,713 100 341 100 45 30.8 - 41.2 - 33.1 - 16.4
Single modes 98 93.2 6,912 89.6 308 90.3 46 30.3 3.8 41.9 4.2 31.1 3.7 16
Truck6 98 93.2 6,912 89.6 308 90.3 46 30.3 3.8 41.9 4.2 31.1 3.7 16
For-hire truck 74 70.3 S S 183 53.6 44 29.3 9 S S 42.3 12.6 43.7
Private truck 24 22.8 2,310 29.9 125 36.7 48 34.4 13.8 35.8 15.8 36.3 13.5 18
Multiple modes S S 801 10.4 33 9.7 41 S S 49.2 16.1 37.6 13 17.1
Truck and rail S S 801 10.4 33 9.7 41 S S 49.2 16.1 37.6 13 17.1
Other and unknown modes S S S S S S S S S S S S S S

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 32,288 100 57,513 100 13,845 100 S 18 - 22.7 - 15.6 - S
Single modes 25,455 78.8 45,978 79.9 10,119 73.1 70 20.4 6.8 25.7 6.4 17.9 7.7 44.2
Truck6 3,282 10.2 5,438 9.5 576 4.2 68 27 2.3 23.9 2.1 40.9 1.5 28.2
For-hire truck 1,705 5.3 3,081 5.4 495 3.6 170 29.3 1.8 27.6 2.2 41.4 1.8 18.8
Private truck 1,576 4.9 2,357 4.1 81 0.6 29 33.2 1.8 33.3 1.9 37.7 0.3 22.5
Rail S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
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 1,650 5.1 2,753 4.8 S S 715 36.6 5.9 40.4 5.6 S S 34
Pipeline7 19,087 59.1 34,856 60.6 S S S 22.7 9.6 30 9.9 S S S
Multiple modes 6,831 21.2 11,534 20.1 3,726 26.9 287 28.3 8.2 30 7.6 26 8.3 19.9
Truck and water S S S S S S 226 S S S S S S 10.4
Rail and water 267 0.8 417 0.7 368 2.7 1,231 43.7 1.7 27.3 1.2 40.7 3.7 34.1
Other multiple modes 4,648 14.4 7,244 12.6 2,490 18 312 29.8 8.6 23.2 8.3 30.2 7.2 8.5
Other and unknown modes 1 - S S S S S 29.1 - 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 4,513 100 10,619 100 4,421 100 312 10.8 - 21.5 - 32.3 - 37.6
Single modes 3,747 83 9,328 87.8 3,325 75.2 191 6.4 6.2 24.5 6.3 34.8 9.7 43.1
Truck6 636 14.1 S S 356 8 156 43.4 5.4 S S 45.9 3.5 36.2
For-hire truck S S S S 341 7.7 678 S S S S 47 3.5 17.7
Private truck 197 4.4 250 2.4 15 0.3 34 35.8 1.5 28 0.8 29.7 0.4 38.8
Rail 968 21.5 2,293 21.6 2,902 65.6 1,240 17.5 4.9 26.7 5 33.1 7.5 12
Water 974 21.6 S S 38 0.9 15 23.9 17.3 S S 38.1 1.8 9
Shallow draft S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Deep draft 973 21.6 S S 38 0.9 15 23.9 17.3 S S 38.3 1.8 8.8
Pipeline7 1,170 25.9 2,109 19.9 S S S 33.4 10.7 25.9 11.9 S S S
Multiple modes S S 1,290 12.2 S S 1,425 S S 46.1 6.3 S S 18.4
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 10 0.2 S S S S 1,436 42.7 0.2 S S S S 19.9
Truck and rail S S 54 0.5 28 0.6 S S S 44.5 0.7 44.1 2.3 S
Rail and water S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Other multiple modes S S 1,217 11.5 1,063 24.1 973 S S 41.5 10.1 46.1 15.2 32
Other and unknown modes S S 1 - S S S S S 45.1 - 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 57 100 S S S S 187 22.1 - S S S S 27.9
Single modes 42 73.9 S S S S S 23.3 8.8 S S S S S
Truck6 42 73.9 S S S S S 23.3 8.8 S S S S S
For-hire truck 16 28.9 S S S S S 24.7 9.5 S S S S S
Private truck 26 45 S S S S 29 33.1 9.5 S S S S 39.5
Multiple modes 14 25.5 1 2.1 - 6.9 524 42.2 9.3 36.7 9.5 39.9 10.3 19.1
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 14 25.5 1 2.1 - 6.9 524 42.2 9.3 36.7 9.5 39.9 10.3 19.1
Other and unknown modes S S S S S S 15 S S S S S S 33.8

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 1,573 100 4,432 100 S S 130 18.5 - 27.3 - S S 39.8
Single modes 1,474 93.7 4,100 92.5 S S 101 18.9 3.1 27 3.8 S S 36.2
Truck6 1,474 93.7 4,100 92.5 S S 101 18.9 3.1 27 3.8 S S 36.2
For-hire truck 621 39.5 S S S S S 35.4 9.2 S S S S S
Private truck 853 54.2 3,540 79.9 S S 50 27.8 7.6 32.1 9.5 S S 27.7
Multiple modes 81 5.1 1 - - 0.1 557 39 1.7 39.2 - 23.6 0.1 28.9
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 81 5.1 1 - - 0.1 557 39 1.7 39.2 - 23.6 0.1 28.9
Other and unknown modes S S S S S S S S S S S S S 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 803 100 145 100 S S 353 25.8 - 36.6 - S S 40.8
Single modes 635 79.1 141 97 S S 109 34.6 10.7 37.4 6.9 S S 44.4
Truck6 630 78.4 140 97 S S 82 35.1 10.7 37.4 7 S S 49.8
For-hire truck S S S S 2 7.3 304 S S S S 46.6 18.4 16.9
Private truck 567 70.6 136 93.6 S S 48 39.7 12.3 38.1 14.2 S S 41
Air (incl truck and air) S S S S S S 1,112 S S S S S S 11.3
Multiple modes 148 18.5 2 1.3 1 4.2 1,044 28.9 12.3 32.9 7.9 36.4 14.2 14.2
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 148 18.5 2 1.3 1 4.2 1,044 28.9 12.3 32.9 7.9 36.4 14.2 14.2
Other and unknown modes 20 2.4 2 1.7 S S 44 34.1 1 36.4 1.1 S S 35.7

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 422 100 405 100 102 100 174 30.2 - 31.5 - 31.4 - 32.8
Single modes 277 65.5 S S 25 24.8 S 36.2 7.5 S S 37.4 10.9 S
Truck6 276 65.5 S S 25 24.7 S 36.2 7.5 S S 37.2 10.9 S
For-hire truck 68 16.1 36 8.8 18 17.6 374 29.1 6.8 36.1 2.1 42.3 3.1 11.3
Private truck 208 49.4 S S S S 30 49.2 11.4 S S S S 23.7
Air (incl truck and air) S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Multiple modes 141 33.3 249 61.6 75 74 575 42.3 7.4 33.5 12.9 33.3 10.7 17.7
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier S S S S S S 579 S S S S S S 20.9
Truck and rail 58 13.7 248 61.2 74 72.7 301 27.9 8.8 26.6 11.6 27.3 7.3 1.6
Other and unknown modes 5 1.2 S S S S S 26 0.5 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 S S S S S S S S
Single modes S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Truck6 S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Private truck 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.