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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 85,038 100 126,964 100 34,124 100 727 7 - 16.3 - 27 - 7.4
Single modes 71,406 84 125,210 98.6 33,203 97.3 372 8.6 2.2 16.6 0.6 28 2.2 15.9
Truck6 68,022 80 79,196 62.4 14,010 41.1 351 7.4 2.2 11 6.7 9.8 8 16.9
For-hire truck 46,851 55.1 40,353 31.8 10,900 31.9 739 11.7 3.3 12.6 4.3 12.4 6.1 9.3
Private truck 21,171 24.9 38,844 30.6 3,110 9.1 70 13.3 3.3 12 3.5 11.6 2.5 11.3
Rail 2,910 3.4 45,930 36.2 19,171 56.2 488 43.2 1 41.7 6.9 45.2 9.1 11.8
Water 25 - 77 0.1 15 - 167 27.9 - 20.1 0.1 44.8 0.1 30.9
Deep draft 25 - 77 0.1 15 - 167 27.9 - 20.1 0.1 44.8 0.1 30.9
Air (incl truck and air) 450 0.5 6 - 7 - 1,718 34.4 0.1 23.4 - 26.5 - 17.9
Multiple modes 12,687 14.9 1,308 1 614 1.8 949 11.8 2.1 34.8 0.4 32.9 1.3 4.7
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 12,518 14.7 181 0.1 154 0.5 949 12 2.1 9.9 - 11 0.1 4.7
Truck and rail 118 0.1 1,042 0.8 428 1.3 545 29.1 0.1 43.2 0.4 47.7 1.2 45.1
Truck and water 44 0.1 S S S S 1,039 29.9 - S S S S 31.5
Rail and water S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Other and unknown modes 944 1.1 446 0.4 S S 74 26.5 0.3 47.6 0.2 S S 40.5

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 4,956 100 5,739 100 612 100 S 25.9 - 35.6 - 19.9 - S
Single modes 4,931 99.5 5,672 98.8 606 99 S 26 0.8 35.4 0.5 20 0.7 S
Truck6 4,931 99.5 5,672 98.8 606 99 S 26 0.8 35.4 0.5 20 0.7 S
For-hire truck 818 16.5 1,256 21.9 271 44.2 S 22.2 6.1 28.9 7.4 26.9 8.8 S
Private truck 4,113 83 4,416 76.9 336 54.9 S 29.8 6.7 41.5 7.7 31.5 9 S
Multiple modes - - S S S S S 30 0.1 S S S S S
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier - - S S S S S 30 0.1 S S S S S
Other and unknown modes 25 0.5 68 1.2 6 1 S 30.3 2.2 37.1 1.1 46.6 1.8 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 7,313 100 5,466 100 1,673 100 72 25.2 - 19.3 - 17.5 - 17.8
Single modes 7,231 98.9 5,398 98.8 1,606 96 69 25.6 1 19.5 1.1 17.4 2.7 18.5
Truck6 7,179 98.2 5,313 97.2 1,536 91.8 69 25.9 1.5 20 1.9 18 4.5 18.6
For-hire truck 3,111 42.5 2,202 40.3 1,041 62.2 216 25.5 8.2 15.6 8.9 18.4 9.3 36.1
Private truck 4,068 55.6 3,111 56.9 495 29.6 44 33.1 7.9 29.1 8.7 35.4 7.4 31.3
Rail 53 0.7 85 1.6 S S 837 41 2.1 34.2 3.8 S S 44.6
Multiple modes 12 0.2 - - - - 736 24.3 0.3 17.3 - 32.2 - 26.9
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 12 0.2 - - - - 736 24.3 0.3 17.3 - 32.2 - 26.9
Other and unknown modes S S S S S S S S S S S S S 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 489 100 32,071 100 2,284 100 52 25.7 - 21.4 - 23.6 - 18.1
Single modes 472 96.6 31,070 96.9 1,947 85.2 47 26.7 2.6 21.6 2 23.1 5.2 15.9
Truck6 451 92.4 29,881 93.2 1,527 66.9 45 28 5.4 22.3 4.8 27.2 11.2 15
For-hire truck 271 55.4 14,060 43.8 929 40.7 61 39.4 7.5 26.5 4.6 36.7 6.8 20
Private truck 181 37 15,821 49.3 598 26.2 32 29.7 6.1 24.2 5.6 25.8 9.3 9.7
Rail 20 4.2 1,190 3.7 419 18.4 S 25 6.3 26.5 5.6 23.3 11.4 S
Multiple modes 16 3.3 949 3 S S 369 44.8 6.4 30.4 5.1 S S 11.2
Truck and rail 16 3.2 916 2.9 S S 367 47.4 6.4 33.5 5.2 S S 18.8
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 4,300 100 47,467 100 18,365 100 28 32.5 - 41 - 47.2 - 32.5
Single modes 4,298 100 47,466 100 18,365 100 23 32.5 - 41 - 47.2 - 7.9
Truck6 1,744 40.6 3,539 7.5 136 0.7 22 16.1 10.4 22.2 10.6 28.9 10.5 7.1
For-hire truck 618 14.4 1,871 3.9 74 0.4 40 31.8 6.4 33.9 9.8 36.7 8.6 21.9
Private truck 1,126 26.2 1,668 3.5 62 0.3 21 21 9.8 20.9 3.6 26.7 2.8 15.5
Rail 2,554 59.4 43,927 92.5 18,228 99.3 335 46.8 9.3 42.8 4.7 46.4 0.6 12.2
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 2 - S S - - S 29.5 - S S 46 - 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 13,791 100 1,758 100 1,054 100 669 12.8 - 17.5 - 19.1 - 6.5
Single modes 8,014 58.1 1,718 97.7 1,012 96 458 17.4 9.1 17.8 0.6 19.5 1 11.2
Truck6 7,889 57.2 1,717 97.7 1,011 95.9 457 16.7 8.9 17.8 0.6 19.5 1 11.2
For-hire truck 7,148 51.8 1,424 81 958 90.9 722 18.3 8.1 19.6 3.6 19.8 1.7 6.8
Private truck 741 5.4 293 16.7 54 5.1 87 24.1 2.4 25.8 3.8 20.7 1.7 9.5
Air (incl truck and air) S S S S S S 1,233 S S S S S S 36.8
Multiple modes 5,744 41.6 34 2 40 3.8 724 28.4 9 23.5 0.5 32.2 1 9.3
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 5,717 41.5 26 1.5 17 1.6 723 28.5 9 24.8 0.5 27.7 0.5 9.3
Truck and rail 22 0.2 7 0.4 22 2.1 3,215 26.6 0.2 15.5 0.3 16 1.5 0.3
Truck and water 5 - 2 0.1 1 0.1 S 8.4 0.2 43.3 0.3 15.2 0.3 S
Other and unknown modes 33 0.2 S S 2 0.2 S 40.8 0.1 S S 50 0.1 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 14,062 100 19,014 100 5,350 100 934 17 - 26.5 - 33.1 - 11.1
Single modes 12,030 85.6 18,770 98.7 5,180 96.8 341 20.7 5.7 26.8 0.7 33.4 1.4 11.9
Truck6 11,786 83.8 18,313 96.3 4,792 89.6 332 20 5.6 27 1.4 30.9 2.4 11.9
For-hire truck 9,318 66.3 12,143 63.9 3,875 72.4 486 26.1 5.7 33.4 6.1 38.3 3.7 11.8
Private truck 2,468 17.6 6,170 32.4 917 17.1 121 16 2.7 43.2 5.9 26.1 4.3 11.3
Rail S S S S S S 838 S S S S S S 18.6
Air (incl truck and air) S S S S 2 - 1,384 S S S S 45.8 0.1 39.7
Multiple modes 1,794 12.8 131 0.7 112 2.1 1,018 29 6 23.8 0.4 22.1 1.5 8.7
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 1,747 12.4 59 0.3 50 0.9 1,018 29.6 5.9 19 0.2 18.6 0.8 8.7
Truck and rail 39 0.3 69 0.4 61 1.1 1,298 22.7 0.1 36.4 0.2 30.6 0.9 23.4
Truck and water S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Other and unknown modes 238 1.7 114 0.6 S S S 34.8 0.8 37.3 0.7 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 10,088 100 10,228 100 2,111 100 231 12.1 - 10.8 - 15.8 - 19.7
Single modes 9,227 91.5 10,093 98.7 2,057 97.4 141 13.3 2.2 11.1 0.7 16.3 1.1 19
Truck6 9,069 89.9 9,742 95.3 1,973 93.5 139 13.6 2.5 11.8 2.2 17.2 2.7 18.9
For-hire truck 5,466 54.2 3,795 37.1 1,553 73.6 477 19.4 5.7 25.2 7.4 21.8 6.7 11.2
Private truck 3,603 35.7 5,947 58.1 419 19.9 71 12.5 5 17.4 7.2 27.2 5.5 14
Rail S S 272 2.7 68 3.2 S S S 25.4 3.2 20.9 3.8 S
Water 25 0.2 77 0.8 15 0.7 167 27.9 0.7 20.1 1.1 44.8 1.4 30.9
Deep draft 25 0.2 77 0.8 15 0.7 167 27.9 0.7 20.1 1.1 44.8 1.4 30.9
Air (incl truck and air) 78 0.8 2 - 2 0.1 860 44.1 0.4 44.2 - 49.3 - 8.3
Multiple modes 679 6.7 112 1.1 50 2.3 667 21.4 1.6 28.3 0.6 22 0.9 8.3
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 605 6 15 0.1 10 0.5 667 24.2 1.7 30.1 0.1 34.1 0.3 8.4
Truck and rail S S 49 0.5 22 1 S S S 42.7 0.8 27.4 0.9 S
Truck and water 25 0.3 S S S S 511 41.8 0.4 S S S S 18.3
Rail and water S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Other and unknown modes 183 1.8 22 0.2 4 0.2 S 34.6 1.2 19.4 0.1 40.5 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 16,225 100 2,214 100 1,618 100 909 21.3 - 20.1 - 23.5 - 8.3
Single modes 13,424 82.7 2,076 93.8 1,432 88.5 896 24.8 3.7 21.2 3.3 23.5 5.2 11.7
Truck6 13,195 81.3 2,073 93.7 1,429 88.3 848 25.4 4.1 21.3 3.4 23.5 5.2 13
For-hire truck 12,135 74.8 1,665 75.2 1,340 82.8 965 28.3 6.2 24.8 8.3 24.9 6.5 7.2
Private truck 1,060 6.5 409 18.5 89 5.5 205 39.9 3.3 38.7 8.5 41.8 5.3 19.1
Air (incl truck and air) 229 1.4 3 0.1 3 0.2 1,751 34.4 0.9 43.3 0.1 47.1 0.1 26.9
Multiple modes 2,416 14.9 23 1.1 22 1.4 935 14.5 3.2 25.7 0.2 29 0.5 9.1
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 2,411 14.9 23 1 22 1.3 935 14.5 3.2 25.2 0.2 29.4 0.5 9.1
Truck and water S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Other and unknown modes 385 2.4 S S S S 209 31.7 1.9 S S S S 38.9

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 13,791 100 3,006 100 1,056 100 898 19 - 22.5 - 16.5 - 9.1
Single modes 11,776 85.4 2,946 98 998 94.5 439 22.2 5.6 22.6 0.8 16.8 1.3 15.4
Truck6 11,774 85.4 2,945 98 998 94.5 438 22.2 5.6 22.6 0.8 16.8 1.3 15.6
For-hire truck 7,964 57.7 1,936 64.4 859 81.4 844 27.7 6.9 20.1 4.9 15.3 3.4 6.4
Private truck 3,810 27.6 1,009 33.6 139 13.1 103 44.5 7 34.5 4.7 42.2 3.3 17.2
Air (incl truck and air) S S S S - - 2,183 S S S S 49.9 - 28.1
Multiple modes 2,007 14.6 58 1.9 55 5.2 976 35.1 5.6 26.4 0.8 26.8 1.4 7.5
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 2,007 14.6 58 1.9 55 5.2 976 35.1 5.6 26.4 0.8 26.8 1.4 7.5
Other and unknown modes 8 0.1 2 0.1 S S S 32.7 0.2 35 0.2 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 S S S S S S 412 S S S S S S 32.4
Single modes S S S S S S 402 S S S S S S 49.6
Truck6 S S S S S S 402 S S S S S S 49.6
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 425 S S S S S S 33.9
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier S S S S S S 425 S S S S S S 33.9
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.