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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 212,955 100 212,717 100 44,280 100 473 7.4 - 6.9 - 6.4 - 9.8
Single modes 184,079 86.4 201,408 94.7 37,349 84.3 235 6.7 1.5 6.6 0.6 7.2 2.1 10.5
Truck6 171,141 80.4 159,620 75 26,331 59.5 213 6.4 2.2 6.8 3.7 6 2.7 10.8
For-hire truck 114,778 53.9 93,826 44.1 22,316 50.4 463 9.9 2.8 7.1 1.8 6.2 2.2 5.4
Private truck 56,363 26.5 65,794 30.9 4,015 9.1 59 8.9 3.2 11.5 3.2 7.9 0.8 10.4
Rail 11,619 5.5 38,175 17.9 10,412 23.5 704 20.4 0.9 25.6 3.7 19 3.5 11.3
Water S S 3,586 1.7 S S 152 S S 48 1.3 S S 30.9
Shallow draft S S 3,586 1.7 S S 152 S S 48 1.3 S S 30.9
Air (incl truck and air) 1,261 0.6 15 - 16 - 868 31.7 0.2 25.5 - 29.9 - 15.8
Pipeline7 S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Multiple modes 23,727 11.1 9,885 4.6 6,435 14.5 791 17 1.5 17.2 0.6 15.4 2.2 5.4
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 15,826 7.4 375 0.2 273 0.6 789 17.1 1.3 19.2 - 15.7 0.1 5.6
Truck and rail 7,499 3.5 5,156 2.4 3,176 7.2 943 26.4 0.7 28.2 0.5 21.6 1.1 14.6
Truck and water 193 0.1 3,203 1.5 1,633 3.7 S 24.5 - 27.3 0.4 33.6 1.5 S
Rail and water 4 - 3 - 6 - 2,288 28.6 - 35.1 - 35.2 - 8.3
Other multiple modes 204 0.1 1,147 0.5 1,347 3 2,646 43.3 0.1 47.4 0.4 44.6 2.2 29
Other and unknown modes 5,149 2.4 1,424 0.7 496 1.1 S 14.7 0.3 22.6 0.2 14.4 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 12,603 100 25,813 100 10,367 100 221 20.6 - 12.2 - 18 - 27.8
Single modes 11,848 94 23,175 89.8 7,774 75 203 20.9 1.7 13.6 3.1 20.9 8.1 24.4
Truck6 10,243 81.3 14,378 55.7 3,222 31.1 197 23.2 5.7 19.5 6.6 23.2 5.3 25
For-hire truck 8,347 66.2 10,154 39.3 2,845 27.4 334 23.7 6.8 25.1 7 24.6 5.1 12.7
Private truck 1,896 15 4,225 16.4 377 3.6 56 29.2 2.5 17.1 3.5 20.6 1 38.1
Rail 1,605 12.7 8,795 34.1 4,553 43.9 669 21.1 5.7 26.1 7 23.3 7.3 12.5
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 708 5.6 2,543 9.9 2,583 24.9 918 18.7 1.9 23.5 3.5 22.4 9.2 6.6
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier S S S S S S 671 S S S S S S 31.1
Truck and rail 548 4.3 1,556 6 1,423 13.7 1,210 29 1.6 38.2 2.8 39.7 4.5 15.1
Truck and water S S S S S S 2,155 S S S S S S 4.3
Other multiple modes 145 1.2 935 3.6 1,043 10.1 1,120 39.8 3.7 39.4 6.9 40 20 5.6
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 8,942 100 6,076 100 1,875 100 196 16.2 - 24.1 - 31.2 - 14.9
Single modes 8,679 97.1 5,843 96.2 1,697 90.5 94 16 0.6 24.5 1.8 34 6.3 24.1
Truck6 8,257 92.3 4,893 80.5 1,110 59.2 92 15.3 1.6 20 3.8 20.1 9.5 22.3
For-hire truck 3,230 36.1 1,957 32.2 779 41.5 439 14.9 4.5 23.1 7 20 9.3 15.2
Private truck 5,027 56.2 2,935 48.3 331 17.7 64 18.4 4.8 23.5 7.9 29.6 4.5 29.4
Rail S S S S S S 614 S S S S S S 19.4
Multiple modes 196 2.2 193 3.2 S S 856 37.7 0.7 49.6 2 S S 13.6
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 101 1.1 S S S S 856 48.7 0.4 S S S S 15.9
Truck and rail 66 0.7 96 1.6 S S 961 28.4 0.9 44.1 3.3 S S 40.5
Truck and water S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Other and unknown modes 67 0.8 39 0.7 16 0.8 S 49.5 0.3 46.8 0.2 48.2 0.5 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 680 100 49,983 100 2,529 100 35 21.3 - 20.3 - 17.5 - 46.8
Single modes 620 91.2 47,824 95.7 2,187 86.5 34 23.2 5.1 21 1.8 18.9 4.7 47
Truck6 593 87.1 43,421 86.9 1,510 59.7 34 24.5 7.1 24.9 6.2 18.8 9.6 47.6
For-hire truck 363 53.3 19,613 39.2 1,027 40.6 S 30.5 6.8 25.2 5.1 20.9 6.7 S
Private truck 230 33.8 23,808 47.6 483 19.1 19 22.7 6.1 26 3.9 22 4.1 26
Rail S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Water 21 3.1 3,509 7 S S 157 48 2 47.6 8.2 S S 31.5
Shallow draft 21 3.1 3,509 7 S S 157 48 2 47.6 8.2 S S 31.5
Air (incl truck and air) S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Multiple modes 14 2 1,782 3.6 319 12.6 S 22.2 2.9 39 3 26.5 7.2 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 5 0.8 S S S S S 42.5 9.6 S S S S S
Truck and water 7 1.1 1,077 2.2 277 11 245 28.8 1 8.8 2.4 22 7.8 14.9
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 10,021 100 53,852 100 4,817 100 74 12.3 - 21.6 - 18.5 - 39.3
Single modes 9,856 98.4 50,309 93.4 3,441 71.4 55 12.3 0.6 23 3.3 23.6 10.7 47.1
Truck6 8,952 89.3 29,193 54.2 1,537 31.9 53 12.3 3 19.7 9.4 34 11.3 49.2
For-hire truck 4,728 47.2 22,865 42.5 1,263 26.2 73 24.5 7.9 26 9.3 42.7 9.3 36.6
Private truck 4,224 42.2 6,328 11.8 274 5.7 34 16.7 7.2 14.5 3.6 13.8 3.6 11.7
Rail 896 8.9 21,105 39.2 1,903 39.5 214 22.2 4.7 19.4 10.2 13.8 16.6 27.1
Pipeline7 S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Multiple modes 162 1.6 3,533 6.6 1,375 28.5 347 28.4 0.9 26.3 5.3 28.1 15.3 25.8
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 4 - - - S S S 47.9 - 36.3 - S S S
Truck and rail 77 0.8 1,583 2.9 286 5.9 S 29.4 0.6 32.1 2.7 13 3.1 S
Truck and water 81 0.8 1,950 3.6 S S 562 5.3 1.1 5.7 6.9 S S 13
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 37,255 100 17,656 100 5,475 100 318 12.3 - 22.4 - 12.3 - 17.2
Single modes 34,848 93.5 17,161 97.2 4,994 91.2 248 13 2.2 23 1.3 13.3 3.8 16.8
Truck6 33,274 89.3 15,903 90.1 4,158 75.9 244 14 3.6 26.2 5.6 13 7.6 17.1
For-hire truck 18,868 50.6 8,415 47.7 3,131 57.2 579 18.2 8.7 40.9 8.6 12.6 8.7 8.5
Private truck 14,406 38.7 7,488 42.4 1,027 18.8 79 36.4 9.5 35 9.8 38.7 5.5 20.1
Rail S S S S S S 850 S S S S S S 11.4
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
Air (incl truck and air) 20 0.1 1 - 1 - 811 46.9 - 31.3 - 45 - 39.4
Multiple modes 1,938 5.2 456 2.6 S S 449 33.8 2.1 46.6 1.3 S S 16.2
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 1,395 3.7 S S S S 447 43.1 2 S S S S 16.3
Truck and rail S S S S 156 2.9 1,032 S S S S 47.6 2.1 40.1
Truck and water 8 - S S S S 6,048 47.7 - S S S S 3.8
Other multiple modes S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Other and unknown modes S S 38 0.2 14 0.2 S S S 42.6 0.1 47.1 0.2 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 15,276 100 7,406 100 3,043 100 570 44.2 - 14.9 - 29.9 - 9.1
Single modes 13,961 91.4 7,190 97.1 2,747 90.2 238 47.8 3.5 15.3 1.3 33.1 4.4 19.1
Truck6 13,903 91 7,116 96.1 2,647 87 228 47.9 3.6 15.6 1.4 34.9 5.3 18.4
For-hire truck S S 4,144 56 2,469 81.1 352 S S 24.2 7.7 35.7 7.6 19
Private truck 2,313 15.1 2,972 40.1 178 5.9 48 17.9 5.1 16 7.8 30.3 3.8 20.7
Rail 34 0.2 74 1 99 3.3 1,497 41.8 0.3 45.7 0.8 49.1 4.5 18.5
Air (incl truck and air) 24 0.2 - - - - 954 36.8 0.2 35.3 - 36.7 - 43.6
Multiple modes 1,135 7.4 175 2.4 269 8.8 868 13.9 3.6 32.4 1.3 33.7 4.4 8
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 960 6.3 60 0.8 54 1.8 865 14.5 3.2 18 0.1 21 1.3 7.9
Truck and rail 147 1 S S 159 5.2 1,918 37.2 0.9 S S 49.6 4.3 12.5
Truck and water S S S S 26 0.8 5,246 S S S S 42.1 3.4 39.4
Rail and water 2 - 2 - 5 0.2 2,184 38.5 0.2 16.5 0.3 24.9 1.3 8.8
Other multiple modes S S S S S S 3,678 S S S S S S 21.3
Other and unknown modes 180 1.2 S S S S 679 42.3 0.8 S S S S 20.8

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 42,647 100 35,345 100 9,114 100 245 9.4 - 11.8 - 12.6 - 23.4
Single modes 40,076 94 34,561 97.8 8,712 95.6 159 10 1.4 12.3 0.8 12.8 1.1 26.2
Truck6 36,725 86.1 30,229 85.5 6,948 76.2 153 10.1 2 14.1 3 12.7 2.4 26.2
For-hire truck 25,723 60.3 18,172 51.4 6,269 68.8 477 12.1 3.5 18.2 4.8 13.4 2.7 5.9
Private truck 11,002 25.8 12,057 34.1 679 7.5 37 10.6 2.6 19.5 6.2 14.5 1.4 20.7
Rail 3,299 7.7 4,331 12.3 1,763 19.3 424 21 1.3 22.4 2.7 18.8 2.3 24.5
Air (incl truck and air) S S 1 - 1 - 963 S S 37.9 - 47.2 - 24.2
Multiple modes 2,032 4.8 399 1.1 350 3.8 550 22.6 1.2 33.7 0.4 28.6 1.1 13.2
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 1,316 3.1 40 0.1 26 0.3 539 26.1 1 15.3 - 16.9 0.1 13.3
Truck and rail 687 1.6 336 1 289 3.2 1,028 41.3 0.7 33.9 0.4 27.5 1.1 25.8
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 539 1.3 385 1.1 52 0.6 105 32.7 0.4 48.9 0.8 41.4 0.4 49.8

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 62,978 100 7,906 100 4,665 100 749 17 - 14.3 - 24.5 - 7.4
Single modes 43,550 69.2 6,891 87.2 3,540 75.9 437 14.8 3.8 12.9 1.8 23.9 3.4 7.5
Truck6 38,842 61.7 6,355 80.4 3,026 64.9 358 14 5.3 11.8 3.5 23.1 5.8 5.7
For-hire truck 30,504 48.4 4,631 58.6 2,800 60 651 17.8 2.7 15.5 3.2 24.8 5.7 5.7
Private truck 8,338 13.2 1,724 21.8 226 4.8 92 10.9 3.2 15.3 3.5 21.4 1.1 21.2
Rail S S 524 6.6 S S 1,002 S S 43 2.6 S S 18.2
Air (incl truck and air) 1,082 1.7 12 0.2 13 0.3 867 36.7 0.6 32.7 0.1 40.5 0.1 8.9
Multiple modes 16,053 25.5 671 8.5 806 17.3 875 26.1 4.2 35.3 1.8 44.5 4 4.5
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 10,755 17.1 121 1.5 105 2.2 871 25.2 3.4 23.2 0.5 26.6 1 4.4
Truck and rail 5,292 8.4 548 6.9 S S 1,320 38.1 1.9 42.5 1.7 S S 13.8
Truck and water S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
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 3,375 5.4 345 4.4 319 6.8 S 21.4 0.8 19.1 0.7 18.1 1.8 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 22,542 100 8,663 100 2,387 100 459 15 - 20.1 - 11 - 13.6
Single modes 20,631 91.5 8,437 97.4 2,250 94.2 377 14.4 1.3 20.2 0.3 11.2 0.9 13.9
Truck6 20,342 90.2 8,115 93.7 2,167 90.8 364 14.7 1.5 20.7 1.4 12 1.8 14.6
For-hire truck 11,425 50.7 3,875 44.7 1,734 72.6 758 14.4 6.2 33 8.1 15.4 5 6.7
Private truck 8,917 39.6 4,240 48.9 434 18.2 89 30.1 6.3 25.7 7.6 29.1 4.3 15.3
Rail 205 0.9 321 3.7 82 3.4 S 47.1 0.7 37.3 1.8 32 2.1 S
Air (incl truck and air) S S 1 - 1 - 798 S S 43 - 33.1 - 40.1
Multiple modes 1,490 6.6 132 1.5 104 4.4 761 22.1 1.3 28.4 0.4 21.3 0.9 7.5
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 1,292 5.7 54 0.6 41 1.7 760 25.1 1.2 29 0.2 28.9 0.5 7.7
Truck and rail 186 0.8 77 0.9 58 2.4 1,383 36.9 0.4 34.6 0.3 20.9 0.6 19.7
Truck and water S S 1 - S S 7,686 S S 39.7 0.1 S S 47.1
Other and unknown modes S S 94 1.1 33 1.4 S S S 31.5 0.3 37.9 0.6 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 1,001 S S S S S S 29.3
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 1,394 S S S S S S 23.7
Private truck S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Multiple modes S S S S S S 1,676 S S S S S S 40.5
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier S S S S S S 1,676 S S S S S S 40.5

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.