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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 169,647 100 262,994 100 95,854 100 299 8.2 - 5.7 - 9.1 - 11.7
Single modes 150,219 88.5 218,927 83.2 72,819 76 189 8.6 1.2 8.4 4.9 11.9 5.7 14.2
Truck6 127,095 74.9 134,017 51 22,377 23.3 169 8.4 3.1 9.7 4 13.1 2.9 13.7
For-hire truck 73,869 43.5 65,718 25 15,121 15.8 517 12.1 3 9.6 1.5 12.7 2.4 9.1
Private truck 53,226 31.4 68,299 26 7,256 7.6 66 9.6 2.7 11.8 3 23.6 1.2 6.8
Rail 11,347 6.7 42,940 16.3 26,548 27.7 795 22.4 1.2 14.7 2.8 16.8 3.7 5.3
Water 3,012 1.8 28,633 10.9 21,573 22.5 731 29.2 0.6 42.1 3.9 31 4.8 22.1
Shallow draft 3,012 1.8 28,633 10.9 21,573 22.5 731 29.2 0.6 42.1 3.9 31 4.8 22.1
Air (incl truck and air) 560 0.3 14 - 17 - 1,165 29.4 0.1 41.7 - 40 - 5.8
Pipeline7 S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Multiple modes 16,858 9.9 40,926 15.6 22,413 23.4 528 9.9 0.9 34.1 4.9 30.1 5.7 12.4
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 9,466 5.6 337 0.1 170 0.2 527 13.8 0.8 29.3 - 10.5 - 12.8
Truck and rail 5,607 3.3 6,672 2.5 5,952 6.2 1,309 35.8 1 32 0.7 35.8 1.5 7.7
Truck and water 1,585 0.9 31,039 11.8 13,442 14 S 33 0.4 42.7 4.7 47.5 5.7 S
Rail and water 19 - 91 - 150 0.2 5,495 31.6 - 42.4 0.1 31.1 0.2 40.1
Other multiple modes 181 0.1 2,788 1.1 2,700 2.8 2,078 24.5 - 34 0.5 34.7 1.3 34.3
Other and unknown modes 2,570 1.5 S S 622 0.6 S 31.6 0.5 S S 35.4 0.2 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 21,384 100 76,831 100 42,049 100 170 24 - 17 - 23.6 - 22.2
Single modes 19,778 92.5 69,089 89.9 35,145 83.6 144 26.4 4.4 17.7 3.9 26.2 6.9 26.3
Truck6 14,152 66.2 35,373 46 4,780 11.4 119 33.4 6.1 20.2 6 41.2 2.8 23.5
For-hire truck 9,611 44.9 19,136 24.9 2,161 5.1 153 39.7 6.6 19.5 4.3 30.2 2.1 18.4
Private truck 4,541 21.2 16,237 21.1 S S 106 28.5 4 31.2 5.1 S S 39
Rail 3,256 15.2 18,788 24.5 12,190 29 927 27.2 4.3 24.9 6.8 35.1 7.3 10.1
Water 2,370 11.1 14,928 19.4 18,176 43.2 1,218 39.9 3.6 41.1 5.3 39.3 9.6 4.2
Shallow draft 2,370 11.1 14,928 19.4 18,176 43.2 1,218 39.9 3.6 41.1 5.3 39.3 9.6 4.2
Multiple modes 1,539 7.2 7,449 9.7 6,672 15.9 1,037 46.3 4.4 44.1 3.9 47 7 19.7
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier S S S S S S 861 S S S S S S 22.9
Truck and rail S S S S S S 1,330 S S S S S S 16.3
Truck and water S S S S S S 813 S S S S S S 45.3
Rail and water 11 0.1 83 0.1 101 0.2 1,212 39.3 0.3 42.4 0.6 45.8 1.4 13.8
Other multiple modes S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Other and unknown modes 67 0.3 S S S S S 47.8 0.5 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 16,535 100 19,380 100 8,255 100 94 17.2 - 15.5 - 17 - 22
Single modes 15,607 94.4 17,646 91.1 7,243 87.7 88 18.2 2 15.6 2.3 17.4 2.6 22.7
Truck6 14,051 85 13,775 71.1 4,120 49.9 85 20.1 3.5 18.8 4.4 22.9 6.8 22.6
For-hire truck 8,303 50.2 8,346 43.1 3,142 38.1 417 23 3.9 18.2 2.9 21 5.9 6.6
Private truck 5,748 34.8 5,428 28 978 11.8 59 17.2 3.8 22.4 3.6 33.7 2 23.3
Rail 976 5.9 2,947 15.2 2,019 24.5 726 15.8 0.9 19.5 3 20.5 5.3 13
Water S S S S S S 1,299 S S S S S S 12.8
Shallow draft S S S S S S 1,299 S S S S S S 12.8
Air (incl truck and air) S S S S - - S S S S S 26.3 - S
Pipeline7 S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Multiple modes 556 3.4 1,172 6 941 11.4 896 27.5 0.9 25.7 1.3 30.1 2.7 17.9
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier S S S S S S 703 S S S S S S 31.2
Truck and rail 519 3.1 1,151 5.9 853 10.3 989 26.5 0.9 23.5 1.3 30.1 2.4 12.4
Truck and water 13 0.1 S S S S 2,330 49.7 0.1 S S S S 22.9
Rail and water 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 71 0.9 S S S S S 42.5 1.5 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 860 100 64,430 100 12,151 100 S 10.5 - 27.2 - 36.3 - S
Single modes 772 89.7 51,558 80 6,851 56.4 S 12.9 6 32.2 8.4 28.6 12.3 S
Truck6 537 62.5 35,290 54.8 2,203 18.1 S 13.5 7.4 25.8 9 19 10.8 S
For-hire truck 304 35.3 12,870 20 1,450 11.9 121 14 5.5 31.9 5.2 20.9 7.7 46.9
Private truck 234 27.2 22,420 34.8 753 6.2 S 21.3 5 32.2 7.7 24.8 4.6 S
Rail 195 22.7 4,443 6.9 3,254 26.8 619 35.5 6.9 29.4 5.8 43.9 8.1 11.7
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
Multiple modes S S S S S S 685 S S S S S S 28.9
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier S S S S S S 815 S S S S S S 48.5
Truck and rail 16 1.9 1,025 1.6 S S 773 46 0.9 49.4 1.6 S S 28.2
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 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 15,463 100 60,021 100 18,696 100 155 42.9 - 22.1 - 25 - 21.8
Single modes 14,724 95.2 40,562 67.6 10,768 57.6 91 45.1 4.4 27 9.1 29.5 11.9 28.9
Truck6 4,368 28.2 12,805 21.3 1,036 5.5 75 14.6 13.3 12.6 11 18 9.6 32.9
For-hire truck 1,347 8.7 7,907 13.2 512 2.7 172 17.6 4.9 13.5 7.3 17.6 6 29.7
Private truck 3,021 19.5 4,898 8.2 524 2.8 57 15.5 10.2 20.8 8.2 29.4 7 44
Rail 2,214 14.3 14,525 24.2 7,429 39.7 723 35.9 5.3 31.4 6.9 35.1 9.6 18
Pipeline7 S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Multiple modes 721 4.7 19,295 32.1 7,882 42.2 425 33 4.9 33.8 9.5 37.6 12.4 25
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 11 0.1 2 - S S 937 41.8 0.1 49.9 - S S 14.8
Truck and rail 15 0.1 335 0.6 260 1.4 775 12 0.5 3.9 0.7 4.1 0.9 -
Truck and water 636 4.1 17,075 28.4 5,944 31.8 343 28.4 5.7 28.3 9.3 32.7 12.8 16.1
Other multiple modes 59 0.4 1,883 3.1 S S 749 39.2 1.2 41.4 2.5 S S 20.2
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 14,971 100 8,198 100 2,692 100 358 13.3 - 12.6 - 12.4 - 16.2
Single modes 13,201 88.2 8,071 98.5 2,571 95.5 227 13.9 2.4 12.5 0.2 12.6 1.4 13.3
Truck6 12,929 86.4 7,170 87.5 1,857 69 222 14 2.8 14.1 4 13.2 7.6 12.6
For-hire truck 9,058 60.5 2,791 34 1,497 55.6 530 15.8 3.9 19.9 6.7 16.7 7.4 12.1
Private truck 3,871 25.9 4,379 53.4 359 13.4 64 22.4 4.7 22.5 7.4 14.6 1.9 15.9
Rail 233 1.6 758 9.2 672 25 1,136 25.8 1 28.8 4.6 37.4 9.6 20.4
Water S S S S S S 831 S S S S S S 43.5
Shallow draft S S S S S S 831 S S S S S S 43.5
Air (incl truck and air) S S S S S S 1,385 S S S S S S 10.8
Multiple modes 1,312 8.8 107 1.3 116 4.3 657 18.7 2 29.7 0.3 32.6 1.5 13.4
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 861 5.8 27 0.3 22 0.8 651 20.9 2.3 21 0.1 28.2 0.2 13.4
Truck and rail 272 1.8 69 0.8 83 3.1 1,752 50 0.9 29.8 0.4 36.9 2.4 15.6
Truck and water 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 12.4 - S
Other and unknown modes S S 20 0.2 S S S S S 36.6 0.1 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 5,992 100 4,384 100 1,519 100 414 7.9 - 17 - 17.7 - 15
Single modes 4,914 82 4,269 97.4 1,397 91.9 134 8.7 2.8 17.7 1.2 19.6 3.5 16.4
Truck6 4,856 81 4,073 92.9 1,217 80.1 130 8.9 2.3 18.3 3.5 19.1 6.5 15.4
For-hire truck 2,701 45.1 2,568 58.6 1,029 67.7 386 14.1 3.7 23.2 6 23.2 8.3 15.7
Private truck 2,155 36 1,504 34.3 188 12.4 38 7.9 3 15.2 5.8 12.1 5 8.3
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 962 S S S S S S 25.2
Multiple modes 921 15.4 86 2 112 7.4 707 20.6 2.6 18.8 0.8 23.7 3.5 10.6
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 846 14.1 39 0.9 24 1.6 706 23.7 2.6 18.8 0.4 21.6 1 10.7
Truck and rail 75 1.2 47 1.1 86 5.7 1,950 37.1 1.1 34.8 1 28.3 4.6 7.3
Truck and water 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 29 0.7 10 0.7 S S S 32.7 0.7 46.2 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 33,349 100 18,580 100 6,204 100 359 11.5 - 10.2 - 18 - 11.9
Single modes 29,280 87.8 17,328 93.3 5,245 84.5 257 11.1 3 9.8 2.4 15.9 3.8 15.4
Truck6 28,462 85.3 15,575 83.8 3,871 62.4 243 11.5 2.7 9.4 4.6 10.3 7.2 16.1
For-hire truck 21,707 65.1 7,834 42.2 3,177 51.2 600 13.1 3.2 11.8 5.1 11.7 6.3 7.9
Private truck 6,754 20.3 7,740 41.7 694 11.2 54 14 2.3 18 5.2 14.3 1.7 17.1
Rail 648 1.9 846 4.6 513 8.3 807 29.1 1.1 32.3 1.4 27.8 2.7 29.2
Water 58 0.2 905 4.9 S S 949 28.3 0.7 5.6 13.9 S S 1.1
Shallow draft 58 0.2 905 4.9 S S 949 28.3 0.7 5.6 13.9 S S 1.1
Air (incl truck and air) 112 0.3 S S S S 1,126 46.8 0.1 S S S S 20.7
Multiple modes 3,905 11.7 1,201 6.5 935 15.1 570 38.5 3 47.5 2.5 44.3 3.9 7.6
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 2,199 6.6 51 0.3 32 0.5 567 23.1 1.7 10.9 0.1 9.5 0.2 7.7
Truck and rail S S S S S S 1,088 S S S S S S 19.9
Truck and water S S S S S S 3,519 S S S S S S 34.9
Other multiple modes 45 0.1 S S S S S 43.9 0.6 S S S S S
Other and unknown modes 165 0.5 51 0.3 24 0.4 S 44.4 0.2 48.9 0.1 49.8 0.3 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 31,113 100 3,949 100 2,269 100 261 16.1 - 10.9 - 20.7 - 35.9
Single modes 23,779 76.4 3,376 85.5 1,821 80.3 228 17.8 2.6 11 3.3 19.9 4.6 40.9
Truck6 19,662 63.2 3,055 77.4 1,545 68.1 188 13.8 3.8 11.2 4.9 19.9 7.4 45.7
For-hire truck 13,913 44.7 2,269 57.5 1,371 60.4 733 19.2 4.3 14 6 22.9 6.7 10.8
Private truck 5,749 18.5 786 19.9 174 7.7 S 22.8 4.1 23.2 4.2 27.8 3.3 S
Rail 3,729 12 312 7.9 265 11.7 968 39.6 6.3 40.1 7.3 27.3 8.9 10.7
Air (incl truck and air) 388 1.2 S S S S 1,108 42.6 0.4 S S S S 13.7
Multiple modes 6,033 19.4 394 10 297 13.1 335 16.2 2.6 34.3 2.8 38.1 2.3 41
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 3,923 12.6 S S 43 1.9 332 19 3.1 S S 17.1 0.5 41.2
Truck and rail 2,102 6.8 S S 252 11.1 1,513 42.5 2 S S 44.8 2.5 13.8
Truck and water 2 - - - 2 0.1 5,484 23.5 - 18 - 27 0.1 37.1
Other multiple modes S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Other and unknown modes 1,301 4.2 179 4.5 S S S 49.1 1.9 46.1 2.4 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 29,977 100 7,222 100 2,018 100 482 15.9 - 17.5 - 23.8 - 14.2
Single modes 28,163 94 7,028 97.3 1,778 88.1 240 16.5 1.7 17.6 1.1 23.6 3.6 21.6
Truck6 28,075 93.7 6,902 95.6 1,748 86.6 210 16.6 1.8 17.4 1.3 23.1 3.6 25.3
For-hire truck 6,925 23.1 1,996 27.6 781 38.7 651 21.6 3.2 23.9 2.6 31.3 4.1 9.5
Private truck 21,151 70.6 4,906 67.9 967 47.9 117 19.7 4.4 15.7 3.6 20.6 5.9 17
Rail 38 0.1 125 1.7 28 1.4 279 30 0.5 19.4 5.5 35 3.2 45.6
Air (incl truck and air) 50 0.2 1 - 2 0.1 1,411 33.2 0.1 33.4 - 45.6 0.1 11.5
Multiple modes 1,794 6 163 2.3 203 10.1 853 30.9 1.7 28.3 1.1 35.7 3.6 6.5
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 1,605 5.4 56 0.8 46 2.3 851 33.4 1.7 24.1 0.4 25.7 1 6.5
Truck and rail 176 0.6 106 1.5 150 7.4 1,502 35.8 0.4 31 1.4 36.7 4.8 21.7
Truck and water S S 1 - 1 0.1 2,302 S S 23.3 0.1 40.8 0.5 19.6
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 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 3 100 - 100 - 100 S 43.2 - 33.9 - 35.3 - S
Single modes S S - 96.3 - 88.9 51 S S 27.2 1.8 35.9 5.5 49.3
Truck6 S S - 96.3 - 88.9 51 S S 27.2 1.8 35.9 5.5 49.3
Private truck S S - 96.3 - 88.9 51 S S 27.2 1.8 35.9 5.5 49.3
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.