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 116,270 100 144,363 100 32,424 100 353 5.2 - 14.5 - 7.5 - 15.1
Single modes 108,585 93.4 140,051 97 29,880 92.2 175 5.2 0.8 14.7 0.9 6.9 1.4 22.8
Truck6 104,283 89.7 121,956 84.5 22,157 68.3 160 5.4 1.3 15 2.7 5.4 4.2 19
For-hire truck 59,913 51.5 60,686 42 16,918 52.2 515 10.3 3.6 14.6 4.1 5.9 4.7 6.9
Private truck 44,370 38.2 61,271 42.4 5,239 16.2 60 5.6 2.7 20.8 3.5 14.2 1.7 19.8
Rail 3,184 2.7 16,531 11.5 7,710 23.8 451 16.3 0.5 25.3 2.4 18.4 3.1 16.6
Air (incl truck and air) 196 0.2 6 - 5 - 993 41.7 0.1 46.9 - 44.7 - 11.5
Pipeline7 S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Multiple modes 5,472 4.7 3,174 2.2 2,271 7 724 20.8 0.8 26.7 0.8 25.1 1.4 7
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 4,424 3.8 293 0.2 196 0.6 725 24.1 0.7 29.4 - 28.7 0.1 7
Truck and rail 826 0.7 2,786 1.9 1,995 6.2 569 27.1 0.2 30.3 0.8 28.4 1.5 24.1
Truck and water 222 0.2 96 0.1 81 0.3 S 37.3 0.1 30.7 - 24.1 0.1 S
Other and unknown modes 2,213 1.9 1,138 0.8 273 0.8 S 16.5 0.4 12.7 0.2 20.5 0.1 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 9,744 100 12,071 100 3,332 100 206 22.7 - 23.1 - 20.3 - 28.4
Single modes 9,686 99.4 12,007 99.5 3,293 98.8 208 22.7 0.5 23.3 1 20.4 1.1 28.1
Truck6 9,539 97.9 11,644 96.5 3,092 92.8 207 22.5 1.3 23.3 2.8 21.2 4.5 28.2
For-hire truck 6,396 65.6 7,479 62 2,360 70.8 395 18.7 3.4 23.2 5 16.4 5.4 17
Private truck 3,143 32.3 4,165 34.5 732 22 129 36.6 3.2 35.7 5.3 45.4 4.6 15.8
Rail 147 1.5 S S 201 6 581 29.5 2 S S 38.9 9.3 32.9
Multiple modes 56 0.6 62 0.5 38 1.2 S 37.4 1.3 36.9 2.7 37.4 2.8 S
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Truck and rail 49 0.5 59 0.5 37 1.1 624 23.4 1.8 21.4 3.8 21.5 3.9 -
Truck and water S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Other and unknown modes 2 - S S S S S 25.2 0.1 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 5,462 100 3,539 100 913 100 S 21.9 - 16.5 - 16.6 - S
Single modes 5,342 97.8 3,478 98.3 880 96.3 S 21.7 0.7 16.8 0.9 17.5 2.8 S
Truck6 5,172 94.7 3,346 94.5 794 87 S 22 1.8 17.1 2.1 20 7 S
For-hire truck 2,188 40.1 1,822 51.5 640 70.1 449 24.7 8.1 19.1 8.8 22.5 7 14.7
Private truck 2,984 54.6 1,524 43.1 154 16.9 S 31.6 7.9 29.5 8 29.3 4.3 S
Rail S S 132 3.7 85 9.4 660 S S 29.9 2.3 27.2 8.5 14.5
Multiple modes 99 1.8 61 1.7 33 3.6 281 40.7 0.9 36.7 1.1 38.8 3.5 47
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier S S - - - - S S S 42.4 - 40.9 - S
Truck and rail 94 1.7 61 1.7 33 3.6 565 34.5 1.4 23.5 1.7 26.8 5.7 6
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 1,777 100 46,998 100 9,019 100 S 19.3 - 34.6 - 22 - S
Single modes 1,601 90.1 45,095 96 7,627 84.6 S 18.7 2.2 35.8 3.9 22.8 4.4 S
Truck6 1,033 58.1 34,050 72.5 3,167 35.1 S 19.8 4.3 40.4 8.7 29.2 4.1 S
For-hire truck 708 39.8 S S 2,114 23.4 186 17.7 4.7 S S 26.3 3.3 43
Private truck 325 18.3 20,611 43.9 S S S 32.6 4.2 44.3 11.5 S S S
Rail 568 32 11,045 23.5 4,460 49.4 453 20.6 4.4 37.8 6.5 20.1 3.4 25.2
Multiple modes 176 9.9 1,894 4 1,391 15.4 881 38.7 2.2 39 3.9 33.2 4.4 29.6
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Truck and rail 174 9.8 1,894 4 1,391 15.4 854 39 2.2 39 3.9 33.2 4.4 31.1
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 7,198 100 10,180 100 548 100 24 22.3 - 23.9 - 31.2 - 41.3
Single modes 7,177 99.7 10,164 99.8 548 100 31 22.5 1.1 24 0.8 31.3 0.2 27.8
Truck6 6,368 88.5 8,988 88.3 541 98.8 32 25.1 7.5 27.7 8.6 31.5 1.6 47.4
For-hire truck 3,652 50.7 5,532 54.3 384 70.1 86 33.5 12.4 33.4 12.8 34.9 12.8 26.8
Private truck 2,716 37.7 3,456 33.9 157 28.7 S 21 12 27.6 12.9 27.3 14.9 S
Rail S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Pipeline7 S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Multiple modes - - S S S S 134 46.1 - S S S S 35.4
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier - - S S S S 134 46.1 - S S S S 35.4
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 13,548 100 9,107 100 3,159 100 142 15.8 - 17 - 16.2 - 35.6
Single modes 12,363 91.3 8,691 95.4 3,029 95.9 156 16.1 3.4 17.7 2.4 16.6 1.7 30.2
Truck6 11,470 84.7 6,680 73.4 2,035 64.4 154 16.2 2.9 19.1 4.3 19.7 6 30.7
For-hire truck 7,893 58.3 4,109 45.1 1,727 54.7 338 16 3.3 16.6 2.9 18.8 5.4 22.5
Private truck 3,578 26.4 2,571 28.2 308 9.7 52 22.7 3.5 25.6 3.3 25.8 1 22.1
Rail 713 5.3 1,548 17 991 31.4 695 22.5 1.7 21.5 4.7 25.1 6.4 8.5
Air (incl truck and air) S S - - - - 961 S S 42.4 - 42.6 - 21.6
Pipeline7 S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Multiple modes S S 215 2.4 106 3.3 S S S 30 0.5 31.9 0.8 S
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier S S S S 9 0.3 S S S S S 38.2 0.2 S
Truck and rail 37 0.3 153 1.7 88 2.8 635 19.4 0.2 31.7 0.8 26.4 1.3 23.2
Truck and water S S S S S S 659 S S S S S S 16.2
Other and unknown modes 188 1.4 S S S S S 47.1 1.8 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 35,554 100 36,382 100 9,713 100 594 8.4 - 20.6 - 11.2 - 10.5
Single modes 32,801 92.3 35,195 96.7 9,057 93.3 305 9.2 1.6 21.3 0.8 11.4 1.1 20.2
Truck6 31,628 89 33,359 91.7 7,803 80.3 261 9.3 1.9 22 2.1 12.6 3.9 19.2
For-hire truck 16,507 46.4 21,539 59.2 6,278 64.6 618 13.9 4.7 34.8 5.9 13.1 3.5 9.5
Private truck 15,121 42.5 11,820 32.5 1,526 15.7 64 9.5 3.5 16.1 5.4 18.2 2.6 41.8
Rail 1,150 3.2 1,832 5 1,250 12.9 671 20.1 0.7 23.4 1.5 25.3 3.1 11.3
Air (incl truck and air) 23 0.1 S S S S S 48.6 - S S S S S
Multiple modes 1,926 5.4 523 1.4 498 5.1 905 16 0.7 21.2 0.4 22.6 0.9 3.9
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 1,534 4.3 145 0.4 128 1.3 905 16 0.5 29.9 0.2 31.9 0.4 3.9
Truck and rail 277 0.8 306 0.8 316 3.3 929 33.4 0.2 27.3 0.3 30.4 0.9 21.3
Truck and water 116 0.3 72 0.2 54 0.6 S 49.9 0.2 39.8 0.1 36.5 0.2 S
Other and unknown modes 827 2.3 664 1.8 157 1.6 S 34.6 1.5 22.6 0.6 26.1 0.4 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 11,247 100 18,132 100 2,755 100 191 11.6 - 30.4 - 14 - 32.3
Single modes 10,335 91.9 17,709 97.7 2,621 95.1 142 12.5 1.2 30.4 0.8 13.9 1.3 38.1
Truck6 10,084 89.7 17,247 95.1 2,246 81.5 139 13.2 2.1 31 1.9 12.1 4.6 40
For-hire truck 6,115 54.4 3,535 19.5 1,550 56.3 602 16 5.1 22.9 10.3 14 7.3 6.4
Private truck 3,969 35.3 13,712 75.6 695 25.2 48 21.1 5 39.5 10.6 27.3 5 29.4
Rail S S 460 2.5 375 13.6 807 S S 42.7 1.6 47.3 5.3 35.7
Air (incl truck and air) S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Multiple modes 680 6 S S 124 4.5 456 11.3 1.1 S S 42 1.5 19
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 562 5 21 0.1 8 0.3 463 13.5 0.9 38.2 0.1 28.2 0.2 18.9
Truck and rail S S S S 116 4.2 S S S S S 37.9 2.1 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 10 0.4 S S S S S 40.5 0.5 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 17,476 100 2,099 100 1,182 100 303 18.3 - 14.1 - 17.6 - 26.8
Single modes 16,045 91.8 1,968 93.8 1,080 91.4 S 19.9 3.6 15.1 2.7 19 3.3 S
Truck6 16,030 91.7 1,968 93.7 1,080 91.3 S 19.9 3.6 15.1 2.7 19 3.3 S
For-hire truck 11,815 67.6 1,528 72.8 977 82.6 733 28.3 9.2 23.1 8.2 22.5 6.9 13.2
Private truck 4,215 24.1 440 21 103 8.7 S 29.8 7.5 21.6 6.9 41.9 5.7 S
Air (incl truck and air) S S S S S S 1,011 S S S S S S 5.5
Multiple modes S S S S 28 2.4 843 S S S S 45.2 1.1 12.2
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier S S S S S S 843 S S S S S S 12.4
Truck and rail 42 0.2 3 0.1 8 0.7 2,812 32.5 1 45 0.4 46.8 2.1 4
Truck and water S S S S S S 6,478 S S S S S S 5.4
Other and unknown modes 707 4 107 5.1 74 6.2 S 38.5 2.9 43.3 3.3 34.3 3.6 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 14,263 100 5,855 100 1,803 100 363 16.9 - 21.2 - 32.7 - 15.1
Single modes 13,235 92.8 5,744 98.1 1,744 96.7 173 17.8 2 21.8 1.2 33.5 1.8 7.7
Truck6 12,959 90.9 4,675 79.8 1,398 77.6 172 18.4 2.1 18.6 6.3 38 7.7 7.7
For-hire truck 4,640 32.5 1,703 29.1 S S 686 31.5 3.8 36.6 4.5 S S 7.1
Private truck 8,319 58.3 2,972 50.8 510 28.3 100 14.8 3.5 12.8 5.7 15.4 6.5 11.5
Rail S S S S S S 359 S S S S S S 16.4
Air (incl truck and air) 2 - - - - - 1,743 23.7 - 12.1 - 40.1 - 33.8
Multiple modes 813 5.7 71 1.2 53 2.9 563 30.8 1.9 29.5 0.7 29.3 1.6 17
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 696 4.9 56 1 34 1.9 562 37.4 2 36.5 0.6 30.8 1.3 16.9
Truck and rail S S S S 6 0.3 S S S S S 29.7 1.3 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 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
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

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.