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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 88,738 100 79,908 100 25,230 100 1,167 17.9 - 17.6 - 26.8 - 12.2
Single modes 69,906 78.8 76,573 95.8 22,351 88.6 200 18.7 2.1 18.1 2 26.6 2.3 14.2
Truck6 50,770 57.2 54,008 67.6 8,879 35.2 163 8.7 4.7 20.6 6.7 13.2 9.3 17
For-hire truck 27,780 31.3 17,959 22.5 7,080 28.1 652 12.3 2.3 18.4 2.9 14.4 6.5 12
Private truck 22,990 25.9 36,049 45.1 1,799 7.1 45 7.6 2.9 25.2 5.9 15.6 3 7.3
Rail S S 17,757 22.2 13,247 52.5 724 S S 46.4 6.6 41.7 8.6 23.9
Air (incl truck and air) 1,212 1.4 10 - 13 0.1 1,349 18.4 0.4 19.4 - 12.9 - 7.1
Pipeline7 3,236 3.6 4,797 6 S S S 31.9 2.2 28.9 2.2 S S S
Multiple modes 15,993 18 2,741 3.4 2,530 10 1,436 15.2 2.2 36.1 1.5 30.6 2 6
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 12,878 14.5 275 0.3 302 1.2 1,436 16.2 2.5 19.1 0.2 24.4 1.1 6.1
Truck and rail S S 2,448 3.1 2,149 8.5 1,432 S S 41.7 1.6 37.7 2.2 7.8
Truck and water S S 10 - 33 0.1 2,856 S S 44.3 - 45.8 0.1 8.2
Other multiple modes S S S S S S 7,100 S S S S S S 30.3
Other and unknown modes S S S S S S 279 S S S S S S 22.6

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 1,746 100 1,509 100 481 100 439 9.4 - 22.3 - 38.8 - 34.2
Single modes 1,667 95.5 1,498 99.3 476 99.1 S 10 2.9 22.5 0.5 39.3 1.7 S
Truck6 1,632 93.5 1,325 87.9 327 68.1 S 10.2 3.2 17.7 3.8 16.6 9.8 S
For-hire truck 549 31.5 487 32.3 264 54.9 874 17.8 6 20.6 5 17.3 8.9 20.5
Private truck 1,083 62 838 55.6 63 13.2 63 14.8 6.1 19.9 5.4 29.6 4.2 22.1
Rail S S S S S S 428 S S S S S S 41.2
Multiple modes S S S S S S 1,556 S S S S S S 12.6
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier S S S S S S 1,556 S S S S S S 12.6
Other and unknown modes S S 8 0.5 - - 17 S S 36.2 0.6 36.8 0.1 13.2

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 3,820 100 3,092 100 1,070 100 1,431 25 - 18.3 - 19.9 - 24.3
Single modes 2,915 76.3 2,920 94.5 885 82.7 90 13.3 7.1 18.5 2.2 17.5 5.1 41.6
Truck6 2,844 74.4 2,749 88.9 752 70.3 89 13.7 6.8 19 4 18.6 7.5 42
For-hire truck 1,275 33.4 1,258 40.7 587 54.9 503 19.5 5.1 31.2 5 17.8 6.8 23.1
Private truck 1,568 41.1 1,491 48.2 165 15.4 51 12.8 5 13.4 5.3 25.2 1.8 24.5
Rail 60 1.6 171 5.5 133 12.4 736 30.8 2.8 25.6 5.1 27.5 8.1 12
Air (incl truck and air) S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Multiple modes S S 170 5.5 S S 1,527 S S 49.1 2.4 S S 15.4
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier S S S S S S 1,527 S S S S S S 16.6
Truck and rail 60 1.6 S S S S 935 34.2 1.6 S S S S 9.3
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 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 S S 17,175 100 5,091 100 S S S 43.4 - 42.1 - S
Single modes S S 15,415 89.8 3,903 76.7 S S S 47.8 8.1 47.7 7.5 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 169 3.2 S S 197 3.9 S 41.2 17.7 S S 49.2 15.5 S
Rail S S S S S S 1,454 S S S S S S 11.4
Multiple modes S S S S 1,083 21.3 754 S S S S 38.8 8.2 21.8
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 1,654 9.6 1,083 21.3 1,234 S S 49 12.6 35.5 8.9 18.1
Other and unknown modes S S S S S S 822 S S S S S S 28.8

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 10,800 100 16,913 100 1,604 100 S 26.5 - 23.4 - 16 - S
Single modes 10,779 99.8 16,879 99.8 1,569 97.8 65 26.6 0.3 23.4 0.2 17 3.3 31.1
Truck6 7,344 68 11,748 69.5 839 52.3 55 33.7 11.8 30 11.2 36.4 13.4 22.5
For-hire truck 2,698 25 3,941 23.3 347 21.6 122 30.2 8.6 28.2 8.1 37.2 8.9 31.6
Private truck 4,646 43 7,807 46.2 492 30.7 36 38.3 8.2 33.1 7.8 40.3 9 13.3
Rail S S 336 2 S S 1,786 S S 25.7 4.9 S S 8.9
Pipeline7 3,236 30 4,795 28.3 S S S 31.9 15 28.9 11.9 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 38.2 - S
Truck and rail 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 9,873 100 14,358 100 7,282 100 573 13.3 - 50 - 47 - 14.7
Single modes 7,791 78.9 S S 6,956 95.5 342 16 4.3 S S 48.5 2.9 32.3
Truck6 6,783 68.7 2,558 17.8 1,147 15.8 218 19 5.7 19.7 19.4 22.9 18.2 45
For-hire truck 4,739 48 1,804 12.6 1,094 15 722 22.2 5.7 27.9 12.8 24.1 16.1 12.3
Private truck 2,044 20.7 754 5.3 54 0.7 30 22.9 3.5 21.3 11.6 38 4.8 18.2
Rail 474 4.8 S S S S 502 37.8 3.3 S S S S 38.7
Air (incl truck and air) 535 5.4 S S 5 0.1 1,398 39.1 3.4 S S 33.7 0.2 7.4
Pipeline7 S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Multiple modes 1,775 18 186 1.3 310 4.3 914 15.9 3.1 35.4 1.4 38.3 2.6 12.4
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 1,695 17.2 36 0.3 30 0.4 913 16.4 3.2 18.3 0.4 21.8 1.7 12.4
Truck and rail 80 0.8 149 1 280 3.9 1,913 29.4 0.3 35.6 2.2 34.3 3.9 22.7
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 17 0.1 S S S S S 39.2 0.3 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 4,644 100 1,916 100 391 100 1,235 14.1 - 13.9 - 8 - 15.4
Single modes 3,520 75.8 1,875 97.8 344 87.9 192 11.8 4.3 14 0.9 10.4 4.6 19.8
Truck6 3,515 75.7 1,874 97.8 343 87.8 165 11.8 4.3 14.1 0.9 10.5 4.6 20.6
For-hire truck 1,627 35 775 40.5 258 65.9 528 19.7 7 24.6 8.9 18.3 9.7 14.3
Private truck 1,888 40.7 1,099 57.4 86 21.9 44 21.1 4.6 21.1 8.8 29.8 7.8 20.3
Air (incl truck and air) S S S S S S 1,489 S S S S S S 27.4
Multiple modes 1,095 23.6 38 2 46 11.7 1,420 28.7 4.1 37 0.7 41.4 4.6 8.3
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 1,092 23.5 38 2 45 11.5 1,420 28.8 4.1 37.3 0.7 42.3 4.6 8.3
Truck and water 3 0.1 S S S S 3,329 50 0.4 S S S S 23.7
Other and unknown modes 28 0.6 4 0.2 S S S 45.2 0.5 44.9 0.3 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 27,064 100 17,486 100 6,947 100 399 48.1 - 24.1 - 39.2 - 17.5
Single modes 23,483 86.8 16,657 95.3 6,217 89.5 158 49.8 5.2 24.5 1.8 38.7 2.3 26.9
Truck6 10,511 38.8 13,391 76.6 2,347 33.8 138 23.6 10.1 25.2 5.8 23.5 12.4 27
For-hire truck 7,326 27.1 3,548 20.3 2,027 29.2 678 31.1 5.2 24.7 5.3 27.5 8.5 15.2
Private truck 3,186 11.8 9,843 56.3 320 4.6 40 15.8 7.2 33.4 8.2 35.1 8.2 16.6
Rail S S 3,265 18.7 S S 1,135 S S 39 4.4 S S 13.4
Air (incl truck and air) 100 0.4 2 - S S 928 35.2 1 48.8 - S S 19.9
Multiple modes 3,142 11.6 518 3 640 9.2 722 44.6 5.4 44.6 1.1 48.1 1.9 12.3
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 1,369 5.1 40 0.2 24 0.3 719 35.7 6 25.9 0.1 30.5 0.8 13.5
Truck and rail S S 471 2.7 596 8.6 1,286 S S 43.4 1.4 47 2.3 11
Truck and water S S 7 - 19 0.3 2,465 S S 13.3 0.1 28.9 0.8 19.2
Other multiple modes S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Other and unknown modes 439 1.6 S S S S 131 45.6 1.2 S S S S 45.8

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 10,615 100 549 100 590 100 1,468 18.3 - 25.7 - 35.4 - 17.1
Single modes 4,728 44.5 442 80.6 415 70.3 180 16 6.8 28 7.2 44.2 11 39.1
Truck6 4,127 38.9 435 79.4 405 68.6 131 16.6 6.2 28.1 7.1 44.6 10.7 44.7
For-hire truck 2,957 27.9 349 63.6 402 68.2 879 20 5.2 34.2 8.6 44.8 10.6 11.3
Private truck 1,170 11 87 15.8 2 0.4 36 28.7 3.4 22.7 5.8 30.6 0.3 38
Rail S S 4 0.7 6 1 1,689 S S 41.4 2.6 38.5 3.8 5.6
Air (incl truck and air) 557 5.2 3 0.6 4 0.7 1,378 23 1.3 34.3 0.3 39.7 0.7 6.3
Multiple modes 5,401 50.9 61 11.2 S S 1,585 31.9 7.6 39.6 6.2 S S 12
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 5,229 49.3 52 9.4 73 12.3 1,584 33 7.5 44.3 4.8 45.9 8 12
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 multiple modes S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Other and unknown modes 486 4.6 S S S S 513 40.9 3.4 S S S S 34.1

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 14,939 100 6,911 100 1,775 100 959 9.3 - 11.3 - 13.2 - 4.9
Single modes 12,190 81.6 6,731 97.4 1,586 89.4 276 10.9 2.3 12.2 2.9 10.7 2.8 24.2
Truck6 12,033 80.5 6,106 88.4 1,519 85.6 273 11 2.3 13 3.7 10.3 2.9 24.3
For-hire truck 4,805 32.2 1,724 25 1,098 61.9 862 14.8 3.4 11.8 4.1 13.6 3.8 11.6
Private truck 7,228 48.4 4,382 63.4 421 23.7 71 13.9 4.7 17.2 6.5 22.2 4.7 27.2
Rail 151 1 625 9 67 3.8 S 32.1 0.6 30.8 4.6 40.5 2.6 S
Air (incl truck and air) 5 - - - S S 1,226 31.9 - 42.5 - S S 23.8
Multiple modes 2,693 18 90 1.3 104 5.9 1,244 11.6 2.1 21.5 0.3 25.4 1.1 3.7
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 2,622 17.5 61 0.9 57 3.2 1,244 11.8 2.1 14.4 0.2 12.2 0.5 3.7
Truck and rail 54 0.4 27 0.4 42 2.4 2,019 44.5 0.3 49.6 0.3 46.1 1.5 20.7
Truck and water S S S S S S 2,071 S S S S S S 6
Other multiple modes 10 0.1 2 - 3 0.2 1,880 11.2 0.2 26.5 0.1 25.7 0.7 23.1
Other and unknown modes S S S S S S S S S 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 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
Private truck 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.