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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 169,772 100 356,091 100 102,551 100 528 19 - 11.6 - 14.2 - 8.8
Single modes 154,720 91.1 336,454 94.5 89,146 86.9 233 20.9 2.4 12.5 1.5 15.6 3.3 6.4
Truck6 113,909 67.1 161,061 45.2 19,033 18.6 206 12.1 5.3 12.4 5.7 7.3 3.7 3.5
For-hire truck 69,512 40.9 94,704 26.6 14,740 14.4 339 8.7 4.7 22 5.6 8.3 3.1 8.6
Private truck 44,396 26.2 66,357 18.6 4,293 4.2 109 20.6 2.4 10 3.2 11.1 0.9 13.1
Rail S S 125,895 35.4 63,493 61.9 690 S S 18.8 4.5 19.7 4.9 14.3
Water 2,060 1.2 34,385 9.7 6,480 6.3 241 33.4 0.5 36.6 2.3 35 1.5 26.3
Shallow draft 2,060 1.2 34,385 9.7 6,480 6.3 241 33.4 0.5 36.6 2.3 35 1.5 26.3
Air (incl truck and air) 642 0.4 27 - 37 - 1,594 42.8 0.2 38.6 - 42.1 - 12.2
Pipeline7 S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Multiple modes 11,789 6.9 18,115 5.1 13,239 12.9 770 10.3 1.3 19.1 1.6 17.8 3.3 6.6
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 7,563 4.5 224 0.1 163 0.2 760 10.7 0.9 15.4 - 15.4 - 6.2
Truck and rail 2,583 1.5 S S 2,059 2 2,189 38.3 0.3 S S 35.4 1.5 9.7
Truck and water S S 7,579 2.1 5,909 5.8 2,741 S S 33.7 0.7 33.6 1.8 22.6
Rail and water S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Other multiple modes 860 0.5 4,486 1.3 4,255 4.1 1,624 49.2 0.4 45.4 0.9 45.1 2.1 19.8
Other and unknown modes S S 1,522 0.4 167 0.2 S S S 46.2 0.2 36.9 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 5,320 100 12,147 100 5,726 100 240 13.1 - 29.9 - 35.8 - 18.8
Single modes 4,297 80.8 7,587 62.5 1,388 24.3 167 18.1 7.2 29.2 10.4 27 15.1 16
Truck6 3,949 74.2 6,042 49.7 973 17 166 19.8 8.2 32.1 11.1 15.5 14.1 16.3
For-hire truck 1,569 29.5 1,503 12.4 444 7.7 303 21.8 4 24.2 3.2 18.1 8 22.6
Private truck 2,380 44.7 4,539 37.4 530 9.3 134 29.9 10.2 38.8 10.9 30.8 8.3 19.9
Rail S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Water 329 6.2 S S S S S 29.8 14.3 S S S S S
Shallow draft 329 6.2 S S S S S 29.8 14.3 S S S S S
Multiple modes 1,004 18.9 4,554 37.5 4,334 75.7 574 27.9 8.5 41.7 11.3 39.9 13 37.5
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier S S 2 - S S S S S 48.7 0.1 S S S
Truck and rail 192 3.6 66 0.5 135 2.4 2,025 29.9 2.8 33.2 1 34.2 8.8 6.3
Rail and water S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Other multiple modes 663 12.5 4,040 33.3 3,748 65.5 930 35.1 17.7 33.6 15.9 32.8 10 3.7
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 8,554 100 4,736 100 1,694 100 125 10.2 - 13.2 - 16.6 - 24.2
Single modes 8,260 96.6 4,625 97.6 1,612 95.2 103 10.3 1.2 13.9 1.4 17.7 3.3 24
Truck6 8,053 94.1 4,460 94.2 1,448 85.5 99 10 1.4 13.7 1.5 16.6 3.3 23.6
For-hire truck 4,856 56.8 2,505 52.9 1,230 72.6 503 16.8 7 20.6 8.1 20.9 7.2 12
Private truck 3,197 37.4 1,955 41.3 218 12.9 55 15.7 7.2 23.4 8 16 5.7 22.2
Rail 153 1.8 83 1.8 161 9.5 2,177 35.5 0.8 11 0.6 23 3.1 16.9
Air (incl truck and air) S S 1 - 1 0.1 S S S 44.2 - 50 0.2 S
Pipeline7 S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Multiple modes 170 2 99 2.1 73 4.3 S 28.4 0.6 39.2 1.4 21.6 3.4 S
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 62 0.7 6 0.1 S S 298 32.4 0.2 35.7 0.1 S S 30.4
Truck and rail 90 1 90 1.9 61 3.6 1,202 39.6 0.8 42.4 1.8 22.6 4.3 31.3
Truck and water 16 0.2 S S S S 7,589 34.5 0.4 S S S S 6.5
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 706 S S S S S S 40.1

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 889 100 62,241 100 8,470 100 35 29.3 - 18.1 - 26.7 - 44.4
Single modes 825 92.8 52,033 83.6 1,879 22.2 30 31.8 3.7 21.9 8.2 28.5 16.2 35.5
Truck6 799 90 48,342 77.7 1,082 12.8 28 32.5 4.8 25.2 10.1 20 15.2 26.9
For-hire truck 556 62.6 24,028 38.6 537 6.3 33 45 8.6 31.3 6 21.6 6.7 35.7
Private truck 244 27.4 24,314 39.1 545 6.4 23 19.3 7.6 24.3 6.6 21 8.7 38
Rail S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Water S S S S 335 4 S S S S S 41.5 12.7 S
Shallow draft S S S S 335 4 S S S S S 41.5 12.7 S
Air (incl truck and air) S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Multiple modes 55 6.2 9,042 14.5 6,569 77.6 438 30.4 4.2 30.9 9 30.5 15.8 47.9
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier S S - - S S S S S 36.3 - S S S
Truck and rail S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Truck and water 43 4.8 7,298 11.7 5,642 66.6 721 31 4.3 31.7 10 32.3 15.6 24.8
Other multiple modes S S S S S S 813 S S S S S S 7.7
Other and unknown modes 8 0.9 S S 22 0.3 15 49.6 0.4 S S 49.9 0.3 18.4

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 24,634 100 222,619 100 67,103 100 55 32.4 - 15.2 - 21.1 - 25.8
Single modes 24,503 99.5 219,560 98.6 66,496 99.1 48 32.6 0.8 15.7 1.1 21.3 0.5 24
Truck6 8,863 36 58,897 26.5 3,130 4.7 40 27.2 9.2 35.6 9.5 36.5 2.9 19
For-hire truck 2,829 11.5 S S 2,695 4 62 29.9 5.3 S S 41.6 2.8 24.6
Private truck 6,034 24.5 17,719 8 435 0.6 25 31.8 5.9 34.6 6.3 25.4 0.3 19.5
Rail 5,620 22.8 116,981 52.5 58,569 87.3 649 19.1 9.5 21 8 21.7 3.2 8.7
Water 1,051 4.3 28,807 12.9 4,698 7 S 38.8 2.3 40 3.9 39.9 2.3 S
Shallow draft 1,051 4.3 28,807 12.9 4,698 7 S 38.8 2.3 40 3.9 39.9 2.3 S
Pipeline7 S S 14,875 6.7 S S S S S 47.4 18.4 S S S
Multiple modes S S S S 607 0.9 751 S S S S 40.1 0.6 35.3
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier S S S S S S 777 S S S S S S 31.6
Truck and rail 1 - S S 3 - 2,199 34.5 - S S 47.9 - 32.4
Rail and water 111 0.5 2,820 1.3 391 0.6 S 35 3.1 43.3 4 43.3 1.3 S
Other multiple modes 10 - 227 0.1 213 0.3 1,282 21.9 1 10.2 0.8 43.1 2.8 45.6
Other and unknown modes S S 10 - S S 13 S S 49.4 - S S 38

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 16,920 100 6,902 100 3,407 100 501 12.2 - 15.1 - 15.2 - 13.3
Single modes 15,427 91.2 6,576 95.3 3,015 88.5 322 12.3 2.7 15.9 1.3 16.2 3.2 8.2
Truck6 13,959 82.5 4,110 59.6 1,737 51 305 13.4 3.9 14.3 6.5 18.1 6.7 8.8
For-hire truck 12,166 71.9 2,937 42.5 1,492 43.8 390 15.2 4.1 16.1 5.3 16.9 5.7 10.7
Private truck 1,793 10.6 1,174 17 245 7.2 142 16.2 2.3 19.2 3.5 37.6 2.1 15.9
Rail 1,255 7.4 2,020 29.3 1,051 30.8 533 29.8 2.9 29.1 4.8 27.2 5.5 5.6
Water S S S S S S 1,011 S S S S S S 2.3
Shallow draft S S S S S S 1,011 S S S S S S 2.3
Air (incl truck and air) S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Pipeline7 95 0.6 130 1.9 S S S 26.8 0.8 23.1 1.7 S S S
Multiple modes 1,447 8.5 311 4.5 380 11.1 723 37.3 2.6 23.8 1.3 35 3.1 19.6
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 580 3.4 20 0.3 12 0.4 711 36 1.1 32.7 0.2 44.4 0.3 15.2
Truck and rail 446 2.6 261 3.8 223 6.5 1,116 34 0.9 28.8 1.3 32.9 2.6 13.7
Truck and water S S S S S S 4,293 S S S S S S 37
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 S S S S S 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 16,491 100 9,706 100 3,164 100 741 17.2 - 15.6 - 8.9 - 9
Single modes 12,205 74 9,327 96.1 2,794 88.3 382 17.6 7.1 17 3.1 10.7 3.9 23.7
Truck6 11,837 71.8 8,818 90.9 2,541 80.3 265 18.3 7.1 17.9 4 10.7 5.1 22.1
For-hire truck 8,138 49.3 5,602 57.7 2,078 65.7 315 14.9 6.5 17.4 4.6 9.1 4.2 29.2
Private truck 3,699 22.4 3,216 33.1 463 14.6 183 35.6 5.2 25.7 5.3 29.6 3.3 23.4
Rail 309 1.9 507 5.2 248 7.8 622 44.9 1.4 40.6 2.5 34.4 2.9 40.5
Air (incl truck and air) S S S S S S 2,227 S S S S S S 23.8
Multiple modes 1,890 11.5 249 2.6 291 9.2 835 16.8 2.3 25.5 1.2 31.7 2.9 5
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 1,681 10.2 85 0.9 69 2.2 835 17.5 1.9 24.4 0.4 23 0.5 5
Truck and rail 206 1.2 164 1.7 222 7 1,537 32.9 1.1 30.3 1.2 35.2 3.2 16.6
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 S S S S S
Other and unknown modes S S S S S S S S S S S 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 29,607 100 21,902 100 6,053 100 377 8.9 - 9.5 - 6.5 - 9.7
Single modes 26,634 90 21,579 98.5 5,706 94.3 276 9.9 2.5 9.5 0.4 6 1 10.9
Truck6 23,453 79.2 17,971 82.1 4,118 68 269 11.1 3.2 11.6 3.3 9.2 4 11.6
For-hire truck 17,180 58 11,042 50.4 3,397 56.1 432 13.1 4.2 11 5.8 9.5 3 7.7
Private truck 6,273 21.2 6,930 31.6 722 11.9 143 16.9 3.2 29.6 7 31.9 3.8 22
Rail 2,544 8.6 2,848 13 1,082 17.9 335 30.9 2.6 29.6 3.3 22.6 4.6 38
Water 430 1.5 747 3.4 493 8.1 986 40.8 3.5 44.3 8.5 36.9 17 32.7
Shallow draft 430 1.5 747 3.4 493 8.1 986 40.8 3.5 44.3 8.5 36.9 17 32.7
Air (incl truck and air) S S S S S S 906 S S S S S S 15.1
Multiple modes 2,762 9.3 242 1.1 328 5.4 523 22.7 2.6 25.1 0.3 23.8 1.1 9.1
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 2,290 7.7 47 0.2 28 0.5 520 26.1 2.6 17 - 20.4 0.1 9
Truck and rail 346 1.2 187 0.9 236 3.9 1,763 33.5 0.4 32.8 0.3 28.8 1.1 14.1
Truck and water 2 - - - S S S 31.9 - 48.1 - S S S
Other multiple modes S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Other and unknown modes 210 0.7 80 0.4 S S S 33.2 0.2 33.4 0.1 S S 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 S S 6,887 100 4,622 100 725 S S 25.5 - 40 - 10.6
Single modes S S 6,584 95.6 4,175 90.3 456 S S 25.6 2.5 42.5 3.6 11.5
Truck6 27,465 55.1 5,147 74.7 2,374 51.4 380 21.7 10.9 14.8 7.8 17.5 13.4 11
For-hire truck 16,715 33.5 3,992 58 1,981 42.9 469 16.3 12.4 19.9 10.5 22.6 13.2 8.4
Private truck S S 1,155 16.8 392 8.5 224 S S 45.7 4.9 48.1 3.4 24.3
Rail S S S S S S 1,284 S S S S S S 40.5
Air (incl truck and air) 67 0.1 2 - 2 - 1,110 22.8 0.1 30.8 - 37.7 - 11.9
Multiple modes 3,059 6.1 S S S S 888 30.9 3.4 S S S S 12.2
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 1,777 3.6 31 0.4 25 0.5 841 37.3 3.6 24.8 0.2 27.9 0.3 10.1
Truck and rail S S S S S S 2,535 S S S S S S 12.5
Truck and water S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Other and unknown modes 276 0.6 S S 8 0.2 S 40 0.9 S S 48.7 0.3 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 17,531 100 8,951 100 2,314 100 607 17.1 - 31.4 - 30.3 - 11.9
Single modes 16,077 91.7 8,582 95.9 2,080 89.9 247 18.8 5.3 30.2 1 30.9 3.8 7.2
Truck6 15,529 88.6 7,273 81.3 1,630 70.4 238 18.6 5.1 32 5.5 28.7 6.7 8.4
For-hire truck 5,502 31.4 1,917 21.4 886 38.3 637 22.3 5 42.6 5 41.7 7.3 4.4
Private truck 10,027 57.2 5,357 59.8 744 32.2 139 20.9 5 40.2 7.8 36 6.8 8.3
Rail 144 0.8 549 6.1 S S S 31.3 0.6 31.9 3.7 S S S
Water 187 1.1 S S S S 580 47.8 3.9 S S S S 45.4
Shallow draft 187 1.1 S S S S 580 47.8 3.9 S S S S 45.4
Air (incl truck and air) S S S S S S 1,389 S S S S S S 21.6
Multiple modes 1,278 7.3 S S S S 759 29.2 5.3 S S S S 8.8
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 1,153 6.6 33 0.4 25 1.1 759 33.8 5.4 37.6 0.6 35.4 2.4 9
Truck and rail S S S S S S 2,361 S S S S S S 4.5
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 45 0.3 21 0.2 50 2.1 2,317 25.7 0.7 25.6 1.4 25.9 10.2 -
Other and unknown modes 176 1 S S S S 208 38 0.3 S S S S 41.1

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
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

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.