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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 65,134 100 31,099 100 7,399 100 474 6.5 - 10.9 - 8.6 - 9.5
Single modes 55,885 85.8 30,399 97.8 6,732 91 172 7.5 1.8 11.2 0.4 9.4 1.4 13.1
Truck6 54,081 83 29,048 93.4 6,138 83 157 7.9 2.1 11 1.4 8.8 2.5 11.6
For-hire truck 30,012 46.1 11,026 35.5 4,855 65.6 484 6.7 1.3 14.4 3.5 9.1 2.4 12.6
Private truck 24,069 37 18,022 58 1,283 17.3 60 10.2 1.7 13.8 4 9.1 0.7 13.1
Rail 290 0.4 1,343 4.3 587 7.9 458 24.9 0.1 32.4 1.5 31.9 2.2 19.5
Air (incl truck and air) 1,514 2.3 9 - 8 0.1 1,016 34.8 0.9 30.3 - 31.1 - 6.8
Multiple modes 8,561 13.1 532 1.7 602 8.1 705 12.7 1.9 12.7 0.3 15.5 1.4 9.3
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 7,731 11.9 260 0.8 185 2.5 703 13.7 2 12.7 0.2 15 0.4 9.3
Truck and rail S S 261 0.8 381 5.2 1,831 S S 23.2 0.2 23.2 1.2 13.4
Truck and water S S S S S S 7,515 S S S S S S 13.6
Other multiple modes 53 0.1 4 - 11 0.2 3,050 25.7 0.3 19.4 0.1 20.7 0.5 1.4
Other and unknown modes 688 1.1 167 0.5 64 0.9 S 20.8 0.3 26.6 0.2 32.1 0.4 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 2,856 100 1,917 100 463 100 172 27.2 - 34.5 - 24.7 - 24.9
Single modes 2,678 93.8 1,890 98.6 447 96.5 153 26.1 1.9 35.1 1.1 24.4 1.7 28.6
Truck6 2,678 93.8 1,890 98.6 447 96.5 153 26.1 1.9 35.1 1.1 24.4 1.7 28.6
For-hire truck 1,454 50.9 587 30.6 305 65.7 294 27.9 9.2 28.6 12.1 22.8 7 41.8
Private truck 1,225 42.9 S S 142 30.7 113 33.6 10.5 S S 42.2 9.8 12.1
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 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 5,885 100 4,306 100 1,429 100 99 8.4 - 20 - 21.3 - 17.5
Single modes 5,686 96.6 4,133 96 1,183 82.8 95 9 1 20.9 1.5 25.3 5.1 17.3
Truck6 5,674 96.4 4,121 95.7 1,162 81.4 94 9.1 1 21 1.5 25.9 5.2 17.5
For-hire truck 2,871 48.8 2,256 52.4 925 64.7 512 23 7.7 38.3 7.8 33.1 7.4 15.4
Private truck 2,803 47.6 1,865 43.3 238 16.6 71 13.7 7 16.8 7.4 22.6 4 16.2
Rail S S S S S S 1,628 S S S S S S 24.8
Multiple modes 109 1.8 133 3.1 231 16.2 854 24.4 0.8 20 0.9 23.4 5.5 36.5
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Truck and rail 107 1.8 132 3.1 231 16.2 1,501 25.5 0.8 20.2 0.9 23.4 5.5 14.5
Other and unknown modes 91 1.5 41 0.9 15 1 354 6.2 2.7 17.9 3.6 25.4 3.8 9.2

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 S S 2,023 100 198 100 66 S S 36.2 - 36.6 - 38.1
Single modes S S 1,988 98.3 197 99.2 S S S 35 1.2 35.5 1.2 S
Truck6 S S 1,486 73.5 S S S S S 38.5 9.9 S S S
For-hire truck S S S S S S 224 S S S S S S 26
Private truck 24 28.6 1,392 68.8 19 9.8 28 21.1 14 40.1 9.1 42.2 16.3 35.3
Rail S S 501 24.8 159 80.3 317 S S 8.4 18.9 10 6.3 2.4
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 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 2,396 100 5,709 100 198 100 S 36.4 - 35.7 - 35.7 - S
Single modes 2,394 99.9 5,709 100 198 100 54 36.4 2.1 35.7 0.3 35.7 3.4 17.1
Truck6 2,394 99.9 5,709 100 198 100 54 36.4 2.1 35.7 0.3 35.7 3.4 17.1
For-hire truck 293 12.2 2,000 35 39 19.9 S 40.3 8.4 30.5 10.6 26.7 10.6 S
Private truck 2,101 87.7 3,708 65 159 80.1 56 38.8 8 39.6 10.1 38.5 9.6 18.3
Multiple modes 1 - - - - - 652 31.8 2.1 24.7 0.3 35.6 3.4 20.4
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 1 - - - - - 652 31.8 2.1 24.7 0.3 35.6 3.4 20.4
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 5,498 100 1,384 100 355 100 298 21.8 - 21 - 21.4 - 18.7
Single modes 4,666 84.9 1,351 97.6 338 95.1 297 23.8 4.1 21.7 2.3 21.9 1.8 31.8
Truck6 4,002 72.8 1,321 95.5 331 93 173 24.9 7 22.1 2.7 22.1 1.9 31.6
For-hire truck 2,354 42.8 598 43.2 267 75 533 34.6 5.2 29.1 7.4 25.2 7.3 14.4
Private truck 1,647 30 724 52.3 S S 57 19.7 8.2 32.7 8.3 S S 10.9
Rail S S S S S S 202 S S S S S S 4.2
Air (incl truck and air) 655 11.9 2 0.1 2 0.6 1,025 40.5 4.5 45.9 0.1 45.7 0.3 11.4
Multiple modes 771 14 27 1.9 12 3.4 307 30.3 4.1 46.8 2.3 35 1.1 23.9
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 765 13.9 25 1.8 10 2.9 307 30.5 4.1 49.6 2.3 35.2 1.2 23.9
Truck and rail S S 1 0.1 S S S S S 0.5 0.7 S S S
Other and unknown modes S S 7 0.5 S S S S S 42.6 0.4 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 5,068 100 3,138 100 784 100 615 14.5 - 35 - 24.9 - 11.4
Single modes 3,321 65.5 3,001 95.6 662 84.4 S 13.5 6.1 36.1 2.9 26.1 3.1 S
Truck6 3,297 65.1 2,993 95.4 658 83.9 S 13.5 6.2 36 3 26 3.1 S
For-hire truck 2,017 39.8 1,150 36.7 568 72.5 S 17.2 4.7 28.4 8.6 26.2 4.8 S
Private truck 1,280 25.3 1,843 58.7 90 11.5 S 20.6 4.9 45.5 9.7 43.5 3.1 S
Rail S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Air (incl truck and air) 17 0.3 S S S S 1,111 50 0.3 S S S S 15.5
Multiple modes 1,708 33.7 123 3.9 118 15 816 25.6 6.3 23.7 2.7 27.5 2.9 10.1
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 1,689 33.3 107 3.4 78 9.9 816 26.1 6.3 26.8 2.8 29.7 2.8 10.1
Truck and rail 19 0.4 16 0.5 40 5.1 2,482 32.4 0.4 42.4 0.4 44.6 2.8 4.2
Other and unknown modes 39 0.8 14 0.4 S S S 26.9 0.4 34.6 0.4 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 13,965 100 6,665 100 1,641 100 398 10.2 - 25.8 - 16.8 - 11.8
Single modes 12,109 86.7 6,555 98.3 1,519 92.6 210 9.3 1.4 26 0.4 17.1 1.3 18.2
Truck6 11,276 80.7 5,761 86.4 1,125 68.6 196 9.4 2.5 28.1 4.3 14 6.3 18.8
For-hire truck 7,273 52.1 1,683 25.2 924 56.3 559 11.2 2.9 19.9 10 16.2 7.5 10.5
Private truck 4,003 28.7 4,078 61.2 202 12.3 43 12.7 3.4 41.4 9.7 19.9 1.8 23.5
Rail 215 1.5 791 11.9 391 23.9 445 29 0.6 32.9 5.1 33.1 6.1 11.8
Air (incl truck and air) 618 4.4 3 - 3 0.2 936 33.1 1.6 41.6 - 37.5 0.1 12.9
Multiple modes 1,711 12.3 89 1.3 108 6.6 737 19.9 1.3 21.7 0.3 26.9 1.3 6.5
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 1,544 11.1 27 0.4 23 1.4 729 22.6 1.4 10 0.3 16.2 0.4 7.1
Truck and rail 97 0.7 53 0.8 59 3.6 3,188 49.7 0.5 31 0.3 39.5 1.6 21.4
Truck and water S S S S S S 7,689 S S S S S S 11.8
Other multiple modes 53 0.4 4 0.1 11 0.7 3,050 25.7 1.5 19.4 0.3 20.7 1.7 1.4
Other and unknown modes 145 1 21 0.3 14 0.8 S 18.1 0.2 18.6 0.2 44.6 0.7 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 11,969 100 1,690 100 547 100 535 13 - 31.4 - 13.2 - 13.6
Single modes 8,874 74.1 1,594 94.3 465 84.9 119 16.2 4.5 33.3 1.9 15.7 3.5 34
Truck6 8,697 72.7 1,593 94.2 464 84.8 117 16.9 4.6 33.3 1.9 15.7 3.5 34.1
For-hire truck 6,163 51.5 1,171 69.3 391 71.5 511 23.1 4.8 40.2 5.7 14.7 4 11.1
Private truck 2,534 21.2 421 24.9 73 13.3 49 22.3 4.3 25.8 5.2 33 3 16
Rail S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Air (incl truck and air) 177 1.5 S S S S 909 41 1.2 S S S S 7.2
Multiple modes 2,940 24.6 86 5.1 79 14.4 681 21 4.4 19.4 1.8 17.9 3.4 10.5
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 2,878 24 71 4.2 47 8.6 680 22.2 4.6 27.7 1.9 35.4 3.3 10.8
Truck and rail S S 14 0.8 28 5.2 2,584 S S 37.5 0.9 33.2 4.3 9.3
Truck and water S S S S 4 0.6 S S S S S 31.4 2.4 S
Other and unknown modes 155 1.3 11 0.6 4 0.7 S 40.2 0.6 40.5 0.2 34.5 0.2 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 17,410 100 4,265 100 1,783 100 468 12.4 - 14.3 - 11 - 14.4
Single modes 16,069 92.3 4,178 98 1,723 96.7 333 11.5 1.2 14.9 1.7 11.6 1.5 13.1
Truck6 15,983 91.8 4,172 97.8 1,714 96.2 326 11.6 1.2 14.9 1.7 11.6 1.5 13.2
For-hire truck 7,534 43.3 1,485 34.8 1,418 79.6 953 12.2 5.8 13.8 6.6 13.6 5.9 3.7
Private truck 8,449 48.5 2,687 63 296 16.6 92 24.7 5 21.9 6.3 21.3 4.6 17.4
Rail 39 0.2 4 0.1 S S 1,870 9.9 1.1 26.1 0.5 S S 40.9
Air (incl truck and air) S S S S S S 1,129 S S S S S S 31.7
Multiple modes 1,222 7 S S 54 3.1 798 34.1 1.4 S S 33.2 1.6 8.5
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 752 4.3 29 0.7 27 1.5 796 21.7 1.1 17 0.1 23.1 0.3 8.6
Truck and rail S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Truck and water 1 - S S S S 8,591 8.2 - S S S S 0.3
Other and unknown modes S S 12 0.3 5 0.3 S S S 47.9 0.2 44.5 0.1 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 70 S S S S S S 40.5
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
For-hire truck 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
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 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.