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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 65,562 100 164,751 100 77,302 100 621 5.7 - 6.8 - 15.4 - 11.4
Single modes 54,815 83.6 132,863 80.6 48,747 63.1 311 7.3 2 12.9 6.2 16.7 7.5 26.6
Truck6 44,433 67.8 74,927 45.5 13,324 17.2 204 7.2 2.6 14.8 4.9 14.2 4.7 16.2
For-hire truck 31,489 48 38,037 23.1 9,862 12.8 565 9 2.9 21.9 3.9 10.2 4.1 10.7
Private truck 12,944 19.7 36,890 22.4 3,462 4.5 65 12.3 2.2 16.8 3.2 49.9 2.1 16.9
Rail 7,986 12.2 56,565 34.3 34,527 44.7 777 12.8 1.3 17 3.9 23.9 5.5 12
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
Great Lakes S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Deep draft S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Air (incl truck and air) S S 7 - 9 - 1,686 S S 36 - 42 - 15.7
Multiple modes 9,314 14.2 30,027 18.2 28,253 36.5 956 10.1 1.7 28.4 6.2 30.3 7.5 7.5
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 6,292 9.6 150 0.1 125 0.2 954 12.6 1.4 11.6 - 10.1 - 7.6
Truck and rail 1,837 2.8 10,400 6.3 7,649 9.9 1,269 19.8 0.6 26.6 1.7 28.8 2.4 6.1
Truck and water 1,036 1.6 16,879 10.2 18,287 23.7 S 36.1 0.7 41.4 6 46.3 8.2 S
Other multiple modes S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Other and unknown modes 1,433 2.2 S S S S S 27.5 0.5 S S S S 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 16,189 100 61,710 100 27,584 100 173 18.3 - 21.7 - 29.7 - 33.5
Single modes 15,348 94.8 58,871 95.4 23,953 86.8 160 18.4 2 22.2 2 28.8 4.2 33.6
Truck6 11,053 68.3 36,698 59.5 4,187 15.2 138 17.8 4.5 26.8 5.7 14.7 5.3 36.8
For-hire truck 8,159 50.4 21,675 35.1 3,503 12.7 237 21.5 6.1 35.9 6.2 17.8 5 34.7
Private truck 2,895 17.9 15,023 24.3 685 2.5 49 22.8 3.7 28.7 4.5 21.7 1.9 26.6
Rail 4,274 26.4 21,956 35.6 19,765 71.7 657 27.2 3.4 27.8 4.4 35.7 4.5 22.1
Water S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Deep draft S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Multiple modes 750 4.6 2,617 4.2 S S 1,177 44 2 45.9 2.1 S S 20.8
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier S S S S - - S S S S S 49.7 - S
Truck and rail S S S S S S 1,433 S S S S S S 14.9
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 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 9,546 100 13,939 100 7,171 100 219 13.5 - 19.1 - 17.7 - 18.1
Single modes 8,556 89.6 11,634 83.5 6,027 84 201 13 3.4 16.2 4.3 16.3 3.8 19.8
Truck6 7,181 75.2 8,574 61.5 2,450 34.2 178 13.9 3.8 16.6 4.2 18.6 4 21.5
For-hire truck 5,305 55.6 5,295 38 2,099 29.3 552 17.6 5.7 20.5 5.9 20.8 4.5 11.2
Private truck 1,876 19.7 3,279 23.5 351 4.9 53 14.7 3.8 21.5 5.2 16 1.4 18.1
Rail 1,375 14.4 3,060 22 3,577 49.9 1,175 16.7 1.8 17.7 2.6 17.3 5.4 2.5
Multiple modes 461 4.8 881 6.3 957 13.3 1,076 33.7 1.2 39.8 2.5 35 3.3 7.5
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier S S S S S S 1,016 S S S S S S 16.8
Truck and rail 429 4.5 870 6.2 937 13.1 1,164 32.6 1.2 38.8 2.7 33.9 3.3 5.5
Truck and water 30 0.3 11 0.1 19 0.3 1,739 41.1 0.3 32.7 0.1 33.3 0.3 1.2
Other and unknown modes S S S S S S 121 S S S S S S 40

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 2,446 100 64,097 100 32,619 100 112 18.6 - 15.2 - 30.6 - 34.1
Single modes 1,229 50.2 38,746 60.4 10,114 31 61 27.5 10.7 26.1 10 21.1 10.9 37.8
Truck6 97 3.9 8,950 14 523 1.6 52 23.7 2.1 23.9 6.3 29.8 1.4 39.3
For-hire truck 48 2 2,761 4.3 349 1.1 S 33.6 0.8 38.4 1.9 43.6 1 S
Private truck 49 2 6,189 9.7 175 0.5 S 24.7 1.5 30.7 5.5 23.9 0.8 S
Rail 1,132 46.3 29,796 46.5 9,590 29.4 451 30 10.4 31.8 8.5 22.5 10.2 18.5
Multiple modes 1,217 49.8 25,337 39.5 22,492 69 1,141 33.4 10.5 32.9 10.2 37.5 9 9.2
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Truck and rail 445 18.2 6,923 10.8 3,042 9.3 1,130 26.6 11.9 25.6 6.6 28.5 15.5 16.9
Truck and water 622 25.4 15,816 24.7 17,258 52.9 S 37.3 9.2 39.4 10.1 44.8 9.5 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 673 S S S S S S 36.3

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 2,899 100 7,611 100 S S S 40.5 - 40.9 - S S S
Single modes 2,671 92.1 6,925 91 S S S 36.6 2.7 37.1 3.1 S S S
Truck6 2,074 71.5 5,618 73.8 S S S 28.5 8.7 33.4 8.3 S S S
For-hire truck 238 8.2 S S S S 174 49.4 3.5 S S S S 14.5
Private truck 1,835 63.3 4,469 58.7 S S S 29.1 9.3 38.5 9.7 S S S
Rail 92 3.2 161 2.1 S S 809 22.7 14.3 24.7 15.9 S S 32.5
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
Great Lakes 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
Truck and rail S S S S S S S S S S S S S 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 0.3 0.1 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 3,239 100 1,636 100 558 100 412 18.8 - 17.2 - 14.6 - 13.2
Single modes 2,940 90.8 1,588 97.1 523 93.7 199 20.7 2.8 17.7 1.7 12.2 2.3 25.2
Truck6 2,808 86.7 1,454 88.9 396 71 168 22.2 4.2 20.2 4.9 15.6 9 28.8
For-hire truck 1,315 40.6 731 44.7 315 56.4 649 20 8.3 30.4 8.1 19.7 9.1 11.9
Private truck 1,493 46.1 722 44.2 81 14.6 63 40.6 8.7 33.9 7.8 38.3 6.2 21.2
Rail 114 3.5 134 8.2 126 22.5 801 26.1 3.2 26.4 5.4 16.1 10.9 32.7
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
Air (incl truck and air) S S S S S S 1,000 S S S S S S 23.7
Multiple modes 273 8.4 S S S S 702 28.4 2.8 S S S S 14
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 244 7.5 14 0.8 S S 700 28.8 2.5 47.1 0.8 S S 14.2
Truck and rail S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Truck and water S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Other and unknown modes 26 0.8 S S S S S 31.2 0.4 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 6,377 100 5,829 100 3,354 100 760 21.9 - 17.1 - 13.6 - 7.8
Single modes 5,585 87.6 5,417 92.9 2,824 84.2 403 23.8 2 18.8 2.6 16.2 4 12
Truck6 4,678 73.4 4,280 73.4 1,779 53.1 385 28.7 4.5 23 4.1 25.4 5.1 13
For-hire truck 4,023 63.1 3,422 58.7 1,673 49.9 611 34.1 6 27.9 5.9 27.3 5.5 7.5
Private truck 655 10.3 859 14.7 106 3.2 80 20.9 3.8 22 4.5 22.5 1.2 15.8
Rail 905 14.2 1,136 19.5 1,045 31.2 932 27 4.5 22.1 4 16 4.7 10.9
Air (incl truck and air) S S - - - - 1,119 S S 43.3 - 42.3 - 6.8
Multiple modes 720 11.3 309 5.3 465 13.9 913 16.8 1.6 16.1 1.3 24.4 3.3 7.6
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 512 8 39 0.7 37 1.1 911 21.8 1.5 25.3 0.2 26 0.3 7.6
Truck and rail 201 3.1 267 4.6 419 12.5 1,570 19.4 0.7 17.4 1.2 24.7 3.1 9.9
Truck and water S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Other and unknown modes 73 1.1 S S S S 350 47.6 0.7 S S S S 36.5

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 7,513 100 8,309 100 1,656 100 392 12.4 - 23 - 11.9 - 13.1
Single modes 6,393 85.1 8,193 98.6 1,555 93.9 285 13.9 3.5 23.2 0.9 11.5 2.2 23.2
Truck6 6,344 84.4 8,105 97.6 1,432 86.4 282 14 3.4 23.6 2 12.3 4 23.4
For-hire truck 3,981 53 2,161 26 1,021 61.7 783 11.4 4.3 22.5 9.5 12.1 5.6 10.4
Private truck 2,363 31.5 5,944 71.5 410 24.8 103 23.1 4.3 30.9 10.8 32.8 6.3 16.4
Rail 42 0.6 88 1.1 S S 1,255 21.2 0.8 47 3.9 S S 16.2
Air (incl truck and air) S S 1 - 1 - 1,077 S S 42.4 - 39 - 20.9
Multiple modes 876 11.7 77 0.9 98 5.9 614 34.4 3.1 28.6 0.6 38.6 2.2 13.4
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 813 10.8 28 0.3 16 0.9 613 37 3.2 34.5 0.1 22.4 0.2 13.4
Truck and rail 61 0.8 43 0.5 63 3.8 1,452 20.9 0.8 36.6 1.3 41.8 4 19
Truck and water S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Other and unknown modes S S 38 0.5 S S S S S 40.5 0.4 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 13,777 100 650 100 512 100 1,060 17.6 - 15 - 17.8 - 11.1
Single modes 9,650 70 585 90 466 91 1,010 21 4.7 16.7 3.5 18.5 2 18.4
Truck6 7,903 57.4 581 89.4 462 90.1 366 15.1 5.3 16.8 3.6 18.6 2.4 23.3
For-hire truck 7,016 50.9 456 70.1 440 85.8 855 15.5 5.4 16.8 6 18.2 2.9 7.3
Private truck 887 6.4 125 19.3 22 4.3 64 22.8 1.8 22.8 4 35.5 1.1 29.7
Air (incl truck and air) S S 4 0.5 S S 1,720 S S 42.5 0.3 S S 13.2
Multiple modes 3,726 27 33 5.1 29 5.7 1,155 19.6 4.8 24.6 1.6 14.6 1.8 9
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 3,676 26.7 31 4.7 25 4.8 1,155 20 4.9 27.2 1.6 19.7 1.8 9
Truck and rail 38 0.3 1 0.2 1 0.2 1,406 23 0.6 28.4 0.6 41.5 0.4 38.2
Truck and water 12 0.1 1 0.1 3 0.6 S 32.8 0.3 46.3 0.4 45.3 1.9 S
Other and unknown modes 401 2.9 32 4.9 S S S 45.4 2.3 41.1 3.8 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 3,575 100 970 100 519 100 778 8.3 - 19.8 - 20.2 - 9
Single modes 2,442 68.3 903 93.1 465 89.6 348 10.6 3.8 20.6 1.4 21.3 2.6 26.9
Truck6 2,296 64.2 666 68.7 280 54 313 10.9 4.5 18.2 7.7 13.7 10.2 25.7
For-hire truck 1,404 39.3 388 40 248 47.7 836 14.8 4.7 20.2 6.4 15.8 9.8 10
Private truck 892 24.9 279 28.7 33 6.3 77 16.3 3.4 19.6 4.7 22.2 2.4 14.4
Rail S S S S S S 815 S S S S S S 18.5
Air (incl truck and air) S S S S S S 1,645 S S S S S S 26.5
Multiple modes 1,063 29.7 57 5.9 54 10.3 921 14.8 3.7 24.6 1.2 18.1 2.6 5.9
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 1,042 29.2 38 4 39 7.5 920 15.4 3.7 21.5 1.2 24.3 2.9 5.9
Truck and rail 8 0.2 S S S S 1,065 46.3 0.3 S S S S 30.5
Truck and water S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Other and unknown modes 69 1.9 S S S S S 36.3 0.9 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 - 100 S S - 100 S 1.4 - S S 30.2 - S
Single modes - 94.7 S S - 98.5 S 6.9 5.4 S S 29.2 1.2 S
Truck6 - 94.7 S S - 98.5 S 6.9 5.4 S S 29.2 1.2 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.