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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 95,778 100 49,370 100 10,728 100 505 5.8 - 7.2 - 5.1 - 8.7
Single modes 83,896 87.6 47,898 97 9,839 91.7 243 6.7 1.2 7.5 0.7 5.2 1.2 9.9
Truck6 82,377 86 46,859 94.9 9,346 87.1 217 7 1.7 7.2 1.1 6.2 2.8 9.1
For-hire truck 55,984 58.5 28,554 57.8 7,955 74.2 563 8.8 3.7 7.8 2.9 7.2 3.4 8.3
Private truck 26,394 27.6 18,305 37.1 1,391 13 65 12.8 2.8 10.4 2.7 13.1 2 7.8
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 8,826 9.2 827 1.7 651 6.1 715 9.4 1.3 24.2 0.5 21.6 1.3 9.2
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 8,022 8.4 298 0.6 226 2.1 715 10.7 1.3 38.7 0.3 39 0.8 9.2
Truck and rail 485 0.5 415 0.8 278 2.6 645 29 0.1 24.1 0.2 26.3 0.7 47.4
Truck and water 313 0.3 110 0.2 144 1.3 2,595 29.3 0.1 23.2 0.1 22.1 0.3 23.1
Other multiple modes S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Other and unknown modes 3,056 3.2 645 1.3 238 2.2 225 32.3 0.9 34.5 0.5 37.1 0.8 30.8

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 1,492 100 1,532 100 531 100 170 33.1 - 31.8 - 44.3 - 18.7
Single modes 1,481 99.3 1,524 99.5 527 99.1 168 33 0.4 31.8 0.3 44.2 0.6 19.7
Truck6 1,481 99.3 1,524 99.5 527 99.1 168 33 0.4 31.8 0.3 44.2 0.6 19.7
For-hire truck 932 62.5 790 51.6 436 82.1 539 36.8 5.3 38.1 9.9 44.9 5.9 15.2
Private truck 549 36.8 734 47.9 90 17 102 27.4 8.2 39.3 10.4 44.3 10.2 14.6
Multiple modes S S S S S S 677 S S S S S S 17.4
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier - - - - - - 672 48 - 31.5 - 26.1 - 47.8
Truck and rail 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 S S S S S S 15 S S S S S S 39.9

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 17,351 100 5,577 100 1,286 100 423 17 - 27.3 - 26.7 - 15.8
Single modes 17,106 98.6 5,453 97.8 1,239 96.4 165 17.3 0.5 27.9 1.4 27 1.4 25.8
Truck6 17,047 98.3 5,255 94.2 1,134 88.1 165 17.3 1.8 27.8 2.6 29.6 4.6 26
For-hire truck 8,513 49.1 2,648 47.5 969 75.4 524 32.8 13.6 32.3 10.2 33.6 8.4 11.6
Private truck 8,534 49.2 2,607 46.7 164 12.8 52 33 13 35.6 10.2 41.1 4.6 21.9
Rail 59 0.3 198 3.5 106 8.2 532 28 5.1 29.1 6.8 28.9 12.7 18.2
Multiple modes 238 1.4 S S S S 602 30.3 0.5 S S S S 18.5
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 189 1.1 4 0.1 3 0.2 602 40.6 0.5 34.6 0.1 34.4 0.3 18.8
Truck and rail S S S S S S 518 S S S S S S 25.9
Other and unknown modes 7 - S S S S S 46.1 0.1 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 226 100 14,939 100 413 100 S 21.1 - 26.5 - 29.1 - S
Single modes 219 97.1 14,935 100 410 99.2 S 22.2 3.5 26.5 0.2 29.1 0.3 S
Truck6 219 97.1 14,935 100 410 99.2 S 22.2 3.5 26.5 0.2 29.1 0.3 S
For-hire truck 167 74.1 11,542 77.3 322 78 S 22.4 7.7 22.1 6.1 28.2 6.9 S
Private truck 52 23 3,393 22.7 88 21.2 S 28.1 7.9 47.3 6.5 44.2 7.7 S
Multiple modes S S S S S S 1,156 S S S S S S 37.6
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier S S S S S S 1,156 S S S S S S 37.6
Other and unknown modes - 0.1 4 - S S 746 49.2 0.1 47.2 0.6 S S 41.8

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 2,027 100 2,517 100 109 100 S 25.4 - 26.2 - 36.6 - S
Single modes 2,019 99.6 2,500 99.3 107 98.6 23 25.4 1 26.2 0.4 37 1.5 22.8
Truck6 1,981 97.7 2,442 97 107 98.3 23 26.2 2.7 27.1 3.1 37.2 2.4 22.8
For-hire truck 357 17.6 409 16.2 29 26.4 71 15.5 9.1 16.2 9 29.6 14.7 21.6
Private truck 1,624 80.1 2,033 80.8 78 71.8 22 25.9 5.3 27 5.5 40 8.3 24.2
Rail S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Multiple modes S S S S S S 540 S S S S S S 24.8
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier S S S S S S 540 S S S S S S 24.8
Other and unknown modes S S S S S S 18 S S S S S S 30.6

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 21,156 100 4,918 100 2,560 100 497 26.3 - 21.2 - 24.1 - 13.7
Single modes 20,145 95.2 4,780 97.2 2,442 95.4 203 28 2.4 21.5 1 24.9 1.6 31.2
Truck6 19,708 93.2 4,531 92.1 2,218 86.7 199 28.8 4.1 22.6 4.6 27.8 7.2 31.8
For-hire truck 18,332 86.7 3,703 75.3 2,088 81.6 417 30.9 5.4 27.2 7.2 29.9 7.2 18.2
Private truck 1,376 6.5 827 16.8 130 5.1 S 28.2 3.1 49 6.8 45.1 3 S
Rail S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Air (incl truck and air) S S - - - - 659 S S 35.1 - 31 - 9.8
Multiple modes 918 4.3 S S S S 704 29 2.2 S S S S 22.2
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 799 3.8 S S S S 703 35.7 2.2 S S S S 21.9
Truck and rail S S S S S S 2,474 S S S S S S 30.1
Truck and water S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Other and unknown modes 93 0.4 24 0.5 S S S 22.4 0.5 36.7 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 18,914 100 7,171 100 2,363 100 577 5.9 - 19.8 - 10.7 - 6.9
Single modes 16,739 88.5 6,903 96.3 2,123 89.8 290 7.1 3 20.7 1.5 12 2.3 18.2
Truck6 16,624 87.9 6,437 89.8 2,026 85.7 287 7.2 2.9 20.4 3 11.6 2.2 20.4
For-hire truck 13,697 72.4 4,219 58.8 1,710 72.3 744 8.5 3.3 14.6 4.3 9.3 3.1 5.4
Private truck 2,928 15.5 2,218 30.9 317 13.4 99 14.2 2 37.7 4.9 39.2 3.5 20.7
Rail 88 0.5 S S 96 4.1 S 40.1 0.5 S S 43.6 3.1 S
Air (incl truck and air) S S - - 1 - 1,644 S S 40.7 - 49 - 32.7
Multiple modes 1,860 9.8 217 3 216 9.1 763 24.9 2.7 29.6 1.3 21.6 2.5 6.8
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 1,565 8.3 104 1.5 76 3.2 761 26.8 2.5 49 1.1 43.4 1.9 6.7
Truck and rail 46 0.2 S S 37 1.6 985 28.2 0.2 S S 48.5 0.9 42.2
Truck and water 248 1.3 66 0.9 103 4.3 2,203 35.6 0.6 27.3 0.4 17.1 1.3 41.5
Other and unknown modes 316 1.7 50 0.7 S S S 36.1 0.7 43.5 0.5 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 8,651 100 7,101 100 1,387 100 622 13 - 15 - 18.5 - 12.6
Single modes 7,082 81.9 6,802 95.8 1,272 91.7 127 14.9 3.4 14.7 1.5 17.4 2.6 19.2
Truck6 7,027 81.2 6,779 95.5 1,255 90.4 126 15 3.3 14.6 1.6 17.5 2.9 19.2
For-hire truck 4,623 53.4 2,596 36.6 1,092 78.7 513 19.2 3.7 16.6 8.1 19.5 4.3 9.9
Private truck 2,404 27.8 4,184 58.9 162 11.7 47 18.7 4 19 7.7 23.9 3.6 10.1
Rail 35 0.4 S S S S S 33.5 0.4 S S S S S
Air (incl truck and air) 20 0.2 - - - - 937 45.5 0.3 30 - 42 - 12.4
Multiple modes 1,444 16.7 S S S S 870 20.8 3.2 S S S S 8.2
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 1,386 16 S S S S 878 22.5 3.4 S S S S 6.3
Truck and rail S S 61 0.9 S S S S S 7.9 2.3 S S S
Truck and water S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Other and unknown modes 125 1.4 S S 10 0.7 428 37.2 0.7 S S 45.2 0.3 29.1

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 12,931 100 1,051 100 519 100 428 12.4 - 20.7 - 35.1 - 18
Single modes 7,230 55.9 824 78.4 357 68.9 374 21.7 8.5 21.8 6.3 41.5 10 29.2
Truck6 6,578 50.9 806 76.7 323 62.2 317 20.9 8.5 21 6.2 40.7 9.7 36.8
For-hire truck 3,068 23.7 392 37.3 269 51.9 839 26.8 4.7 28.4 8 38.3 9.6 13.5
Private truck 3,510 27.1 413 39.3 S S 72 23.9 8.2 25.9 8.3 S S 37.3
Rail 111 0.9 10 1 24 4.7 S 46.6 0.5 40.3 0.6 34.9 4.5 S
Air (incl truck and air) S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Multiple modes 3,295 25.5 47 4.5 32 6.1 501 34.7 7.8 35.8 2.5 43.9 2.3 30.1
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 3,276 25.3 45 4.2 18 3.5 501 35 7.8 38.2 2.5 25.5 2.2 30.2
Truck and rail S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Truck and water 16 0.1 S S S S S - 0.5 S S S S S
Other and unknown modes 2,406 18.6 180 17.1 S S S 42.5 8.4 46.8 6.4 S S 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 13,025 100 4,560 100 1,559 100 625 7.9 - 22.9 - 16.1 - 11.5
Single modes 11,870 91.1 4,172 91.5 1,360 87.2 373 9.2 1.8 20.8 1.9 15.5 4.3 16
Truck6 11,707 89.9 4,146 90.9 1,347 86.4 343 9.2 1.9 21 2.1 15.8 4.5 14.7
For-hire truck 6,295 48.3 2,254 49.4 1,039 66.7 628 17.4 6.8 32.1 7.1 16.8 5.8 9.4
Private truck 5,412 41.5 1,891 41.5 308 19.7 83 22.2 7.3 18.2 7.7 23.9 4.1 12.5
Rail S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Air (incl truck and air) S S 1 - S S 1,267 S S 46.6 - S S 11.7
Multiple modes 1,055 8.1 216 4.7 163 10.4 906 19.4 1.8 37.9 1.6 39.9 4.3 10
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 799 6.1 29 0.6 22 1.4 907 29.1 1.7 24.5 0.3 34.7 0.7 11.6
Truck and rail 222 1.7 154 3.4 116 7.5 869 24.8 2.5 35.7 3.9 40.2 11.1 18.1
Truck and water S S S S S S 1,978 S S S S S S 30.9
Other and unknown modes 101 0.8 S S S S S 21.8 0.3 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 5 100 S S - 100 193 37.5 - S S 32.4 - 28.9
Single modes 5 100 S S - 100 193 37.5 - S S 32.4 - 28.9
Truck6 5 100 S S - 100 193 37.5 - S S 32.4 - 28.9
For-hire truck S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Private truck 5 99.8 S S - 98.1 189 37.6 0.2 S S 34.8 6 29.8

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.