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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 71,323 100 125,012 100 34,681 100 347 5.4 - 14.7 - 11.1 - 9.8
Single modes 60,015 84.1 118,893 95.1 28,917 83.4 279 6.5 1.9 15.4 1.2 12 3 12.6
Truck6 46,242 64.8 82,260 65.8 12,803 36.9 171 4.5 3.9 14.9 3.4 11.6 4.8 14.6
For-hire truck 24,833 34.8 38,683 30.9 10,941 31.5 442 8.9 4.1 10.5 5.3 13.4 4.3 11.4
Private truck 21,410 30 43,577 34.9 1,863 5.4 61 12.1 3.8 26.3 4.8 13 1.3 4.9
Rail 4,300 6 9,019 7.2 7,174 20.7 787 9.6 0.5 9.7 1.3 10.5 1.6 8.8
Water 4,771 6.7 19,757 15.8 8,716 25.1 356 35.8 2 26.6 2.9 28.4 4 24.6
Shallow draft 4,265 6 18,194 14.6 8,556 24.7 379 40.3 2 29.2 3 28.8 4 29.3
Deep draft S S S S S S 81 S S S S S S 13.3
Air (incl truck and air) 580 0.8 S S S S 1,176 43.6 0.4 S S S S 18.4
Pipeline7 S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Multiple modes 10,253 14.4 4,968 4 5,621 16.2 521 13.6 2 18.1 1 21.9 3 12.2
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 3,761 5.3 146 0.1 81 0.2 515 33.4 1.4 16.9 - 23.2 0.1 12.2
Truck and rail 4,460 6.3 1,974 1.6 2,355 6.8 1,173 35.1 2.3 15 0.6 17.8 1.5 10.2
Truck and water S S 1,185 0.9 926 2.7 1,438 S S 38.6 0.5 36.8 1 28.9
Rail and water S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Other multiple modes 622 0.9 1,377 1.1 1,546 4.5 1,225 43.2 0.4 26.1 0.4 26.9 1.4 29
Other and unknown modes 1,056 1.5 1,151 0.9 143 0.4 51 20.9 0.3 34.1 0.5 33.4 0.2 18.3

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 7,748 100 32,005 100 1,410 100 186 28.7 - 32.8 - 24.7 - 33
Single modes 7,735 99.8 31,984 99.9 1,407 99.8 186 28.8 0.2 32.9 0.1 24.6 0.1 33.1
Truck6 6,956 89.8 28,831 90.1 844 59.8 187 28.9 4.1 34.8 9.4 34 10.4 33.2
For-hire truck 1,315 17 S S 572 40.6 351 29.3 10.3 S S 45.4 8 35.9
Private truck 5,641 72.8 25,676 80.2 272 19.3 100 36.2 11.2 40.1 13 22.3 5.8 8.1
Rail 105 1.4 S S S S S 48.6 18.5 S S S S S
Water S S 2,420 7.6 486 34.5 279 S S 42.8 16 26.8 16.6 15.9
Shallow draft 267 3.4 1,202 3.8 345 24.5 284 32.3 6.8 28.7 16.5 39.8 18.4 15
Deep draft S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Other and unknown modes S S S S S S 129 S S S S S S 32

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 4,094 100 3,845 100 1,288 100 134 9.4 - 15.4 - 24.5 - 17.9
Single modes 4,006 97.9 3,611 93.9 1,058 82.1 72 9.4 0.8 16.3 3.3 27.7 7 14.6
Truck6 3,797 92.7 3,159 82.1 731 56.7 71 9.6 1.7 17.1 4.9 31.7 9.5 14.5
For-hire truck 983 24 1,430 37.2 584 45.4 327 28.3 6 31.3 7.2 36.8 9.2 30.8
Private truck 2,814 68.7 1,728 45 146 11.4 58 12.9 7 19.4 8.6 23.3 8.9 10.3
Rail 150 3.7 286 7.4 289 22.4 1,018 17.3 1.3 19.4 3.3 21.9 3.9 18.5
Water 60 1.5 166 4.3 S S S 39.9 2.1 29.5 6.1 S S S
Shallow draft 60 1.5 166 4.3 S S S 39.9 2.1 29.5 6.1 S S S
Multiple modes 84 2.1 230 6 S S 1,144 45.7 1 47.5 4.1 S S 10.8
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 7 0.2 S S S S 1,145 42.7 0.3 S S S S 12.8
Truck and rail 74 1.8 S S S S 1,057 46.9 1.6 S S S S 16.2
Truck and water S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Other and unknown modes 3 0.1 5 0.1 2 0.1 S 22.6 0.1 40.9 0.1 43.4 - 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 490 100 14,348 100 6,778 100 S 38.3 - 45.1 - 48 - S
Single modes 469 95.8 13,353 93.1 6,070 89.6 S 39 1.3 46 2 48.9 3.1 S
Truck6 348 71.1 7,212 50.3 982 14.5 S 47.2 9.1 44.1 11.4 42 15 S
For-hire truck 213 43.6 3,912 27.3 819 12.1 193 27.9 9.5 34.1 12.4 39.4 13 42.4
Private truck S S S S S S 48 S S S S S S 21.1
Rail 2 0.5 43 0.3 S S 1,134 20.5 2.4 8.7 4.4 S S 6.9
Water 119 24.2 S S S S 838 27.2 8.8 S S S S 24.3
Shallow draft 118 24.2 S S S S 848 27.3 8.8 S S S S 24.5
Deep draft S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Multiple modes 18 3.6 832 5.8 704 10.4 785 31.6 1.6 41.7 2.4 41.9 3.9 16.1
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier S S - - S S 558 S S 38 - S S 26.3
Truck and rail S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Truck and water 1 0.3 89 0.6 110 1.6 1,237 14.6 1.1 7 2 7 1.9 -
Other multiple modes 13 2.7 732 5.1 578 8.5 761 27.5 1.6 32.4 2.5 30 4.6 12.1
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 15,728 100 32,300 100 4,387 100 107 28.4 - 29.4 - 24.2 - 26.6
Single modes 15,381 97.8 31,681 98.1 3,578 81.6 102 29 2.4 29.7 1.6 27.4 9.5 25.8
Truck6 7,887 50.1 15,173 47 1,603 36.5 97 30.2 11.1 24 12.1 31.2 9.8 22.3
For-hire truck 3,259 20.7 8,417 26.1 918 20.9 S 29.3 7.8 34.8 9.3 30 7.2 S
Private truck 4,629 29.4 6,757 20.9 685 15.6 64 45.5 9.5 46.1 10.1 44.8 4.3 37.6
Rail 680 4.3 872 2.7 797 18.2 891 19.6 4.7 20.9 4.7 19.2 9.5 14.1
Water 2,730 17.4 8,341 25.8 S S 93 47.3 15.6 42.2 16.4 S S 44.8
Shallow draft 2,680 17 8,093 25.1 S S 93 49.6 15.7 46.1 16.4 S S 44.9
Deep draft 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 S S 1,175 S S S S S S 19.4
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier S S - - - - 1,194 S S 47.1 - 38.7 - 10
Truck and water S S S S S S 531 S S S S S S 14.8
Rail 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 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 12,214 100 15,771 100 7,812 100 456 15.5 - 13.9 - 14.4 - 12.5
Single modes 8,903 72.9 14,276 90.5 6,345 81.2 269 14.4 5.7 14.9 3.1 12.3 5.3 17.9
Truck6 7,082 58 9,350 59.3 3,005 38.5 256 19.8 8 22.4 7.9 25.9 10.6 18.2
For-hire truck 5,850 47.9 8,072 51.2 2,829 36.2 506 24.6 8.2 27.1 8.4 28 10.1 10.7
Private truck 1,233 10.1 1,278 8.1 176 2.3 56 19.9 3 30.9 3 27.4 1.4 12.7
Rail 725 5.9 1,773 11.2 1,171 15 631 22.4 2.6 26.4 4.3 21.3 3.9 21.4
Water 1,056 8.6 2,603 16.5 2,157 27.6 321 27.6 3.8 34.9 6 33.6 9.2 37
Shallow draft 1,048 8.6 2,601 16.5 2,157 27.6 331 24.9 4.1 32.9 6.4 31.4 9.8 42.3
Deep draft S S 1 - - - 81 S S 15.5 - 15.5 - -
Air (incl truck and air) S S - - - - 1,467 S S 4.5 - 0.1 - 6.3
Pipeline7 S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Multiple modes 3,139 25.7 1,108 7 1,460 18.7 592 42 6 30.5 2 37 5.3 13.8
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier S S 78 0.5 49 0.6 589 S S 31.5 0.2 30.3 0.3 14.8
Truck and rail S S S S S S 1,666 S S S S S S 25.5
Truck and water S S 222 1.4 S S S S S 39.7 1.1 S S S
Rail and water S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Other multiple modes 595 4.9 638 4 947 12.1 1,211 39.3 5.2 26.3 2.4 31.9 6.3 21.6
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 8,659 100 18,439 100 10,350 100 412 9.6 - 14.4 - 13.3 - 16.6
Single modes 7,673 88.6 16,564 89.8 8,454 81.7 381 8.2 1.5 16.5 2 12.4 2.1 14.5
Truck6 5,502 63.5 11,613 63 3,733 36.1 355 8.5 3.6 25.4 5.7 7.5 3.8 16.5
For-hire truck 4,345 50.2 10,519 57.1 3,565 34.4 680 11.1 4.8 28.9 6.3 7 3.9 12.5
Private truck 1,156 13.4 1,093 5.9 169 1.6 58 21.4 3 23.4 1.7 24.4 0.3 16.9
Rail 2,168 25 4,939 26.8 4,704 45.5 931 16.6 3.3 17.9 4.8 17.6 3.5 6.1
Water - - S S S S 45 3.2 - S S S S 33.5
Shallow draft - - S S S S 45 3.2 - S S S S 33.5
Air (incl truck and air) 3 - S S S S 1,423 42.2 0.1 S S S S 34.3
Multiple modes 899 10.4 1,603 8.7 1,792 17.3 533 23.3 1.4 18.4 1.7 22.5 2.2 22.8
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 268 3.1 11 0.1 7 0.1 522 34 0.8 31.8 - 43.2 - 24
Truck and rail 546 6.3 1,326 7.2 1,483 14.3 966 20.3 0.8 18.2 1.4 22.7 1.6 10.7
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 87 1 S S 104 1 S 48.3 0.3 S S 44.2 0.5 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 10,525 100 5,887 100 1,518 100 246 8.2 - 19.4 - 34.2 - 17
Single modes 8,809 83.7 5,707 96.9 1,499 98.7 188 11.8 6.8 19.4 1 34.7 2.8 12.9
Truck6 8,289 78.8 5,216 88.6 1,401 92.3 178 12.8 7 22.4 6.1 38 7.4 14.9
For-hire truck 5,771 54.8 2,592 44 1,247 82.1 583 18.2 7.9 41.3 9.4 42 10.1 6.5
Private truck 2,518 23.9 2,624 44.6 154 10.1 49 18.8 4.6 25.1 8.8 21.2 6.6 21.7
Rail S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Water S S 127 2.2 10 0.7 74 S S 44.4 1.8 38.6 0.5 18.2
Shallow draft S S S S S S 61 S S S S S S 37.8
Deep draft 40 0.4 95 1.6 8 0.5 81 42.1 1 32.9 3.5 35.7 1 -
Air (incl truck and air) 24 0.2 2 - 3 0.2 1,927 46.3 0.3 43.7 - 47.5 1.7 20
Multiple modes S S 49 0.8 15 1 435 S S 34.3 0.3 35.4 2.8 22.1
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 753 7.2 26 0.4 9 0.6 434 33.2 2.7 32.5 0.2 17.4 0.7 22.2
Truck and rail 13 0.1 S S - - S 40.1 0.4 S S 32.8 0.2 S
Truck and water S S S S S S 838 S S S S S S 28.5
Other multiple modes S S S S S S 308 S S S S S S 47.3
Other and unknown modes S S S S 5 0.3 52 S S S S 31.7 0.4 29.2

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 7,528 100 683 100 562 100 338 30.7 - 30.6 - 35.7 - 31.4
Single modes 3,264 43.4 318 46.6 108 19.2 290 29.5 8.1 34.4 10.2 36.7 15.4 44.4
Truck6 3,140 41.7 308 45.1 108 19.2 190 29 8 34.3 10.4 36.7 15 42.5
For-hire truck 1,705 22.6 199 29.1 83 14.8 533 38 6.6 49 9.1 42.5 11.5 16.8
Private truck 1,435 19.1 109 16 25 4.4 80 34 9.4 32.6 12.3 42.6 13.7 34.2
Rail S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
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 0.3 - - - - 1,158 27.9 1.2 18.2 0.1 22 1.1 30.4
Multiple modes 4,058 53.9 321 47 454 80.7 366 36.1 8.5 39 10 38.2 15.4 39.5
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 378 5 S S 10 1.7 355 47.4 5.9 S S 45.3 9.2 37.7
Truck and rail 3,500 46.5 291 42.6 413 73.5 1,343 18 8.1 18.4 10.6 15.3 7.7 9
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 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 4,337 100 1,732 100 577 100 681 13.7 - 25 - 28.5 - 18.6
Single modes 3,772 87 1,398 80.7 398 69.1 706 13.6 3 30.2 7.1 26.4 9.3 19.6
Truck6 3,240 74.7 1,398 80.7 397 68.9 167 14.1 5 30.2 7.1 26.4 9.3 21.4
For-hire truck 1,391 32.1 386 22.3 324 56.1 582 21.8 4.6 22.9 9 33.7 9.6 18
Private truck 1,848 42.6 1,011 58.4 73 12.7 76 18 5.4 44.5 8.9 27 9.4 9.5
Air (incl truck and air) 532 12.3 1 0.1 1 0.2 1,167 38.7 10.1 25.2 0.1 25.4 0.4 19
Multiple modes 362 8.3 S S S S 618 37.1 3.1 S S S S 16
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 194 4.5 10 0.6 5 0.8 615 30.5 1.1 49.7 0.4 49.2 0.3 16
Truck and rail S S S S 7 1.2 1,006 S S S S 46.5 5.4 26.1
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 203 4.7 128 7.4 S S 147 36.3 1.4 49.2 5.5 S S 28.7

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 2 100 S S S S 117 40.6 - S S S S 20
Single modes 2 100 S S S S 117 40.6 - S S S S 20
Truck6 2 100 S S S S 117 40.6 - S S S S 20
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 118 S S S S S S 23.4

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.