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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 31,535 100 47,792 100 3,083 100 243 14.1 - 14.5 - 13.8 - 13.2
Single modes 25,187 79.9 47,456 99.3 2,903 94.2 96 14.3 4 14.7 0.5 13.9 1.4 11.5
Truck6 24,090 76.4 47,074 98.5 2,825 91.6 80 14 3.8 14.8 0.5 14.1 1.8 16.1
For-hire truck 11,002 34.9 21,602 45.2 2,012 65.3 298 19.3 3.5 13.1 3.8 20 4.8 20.5
Private truck 13,088 41.5 25,472 53.3 814 26.4 31 13.1 3.9 18.3 3.9 18.2 4.3 5.7
Rail 82 0.3 326 0.7 72 2.3 208 23.9 0.3 19.2 0.4 30.8 1.5 25
Air (incl truck and air) 990 3.1 4 - 5 0.2 1,306 29 0.8 34.9 - 22.6 0.1 16.3
Pipeline7 25 0.1 53 0.1 S S S 22.7 0.2 49.2 0.6 S S S
Multiple modes 4,845 15.4 138 0.3 140 4.5 726 25.4 2.2 40.5 0.1 44.4 1.5 6.7
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 4,714 14.9 42 0.1 34 1.1 721 26.3 2.3 31.9 - 35.3 0.4 6.7
Truck and rail 30 0.1 S S 47 1.5 1,322 33.5 0.1 S S 38.5 0.9 43.7
Truck and water S S 14 - S S 7,105 S S 45.8 - S S 29.8
Other and unknown modes 1,503 4.8 198 0.4 40 1.3 S 38.3 2.4 46.9 0.5 43.3 0.4 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 279 100 494 100 89 100 S 32.3 - 44.3 - 39 - S
Single modes 277 99.5 477 96.4 S S S 32.4 6.6 46.3 6.4 S S S
Truck6 249 89.3 379 76.6 S S S 36.3 9.3 47.6 9.2 S S S
For-hire truck S S S S S S 160 S S S S S S 25.7
Private truck 220 78.9 165 33.3 S S 31 35 9.5 40.6 18.9 S S 22.2
Rail S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Multiple modes S S S S S S 1,025 S S S S S S 14.8
Truck and rail S S S S S S 1,025 S S S S S S 14.8

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 3,805 100 3,694 100 772 100 62 27.9 - 26.9 - 49 - 16.5
Single modes 3,794 99.7 3,674 99.4 761 98.5 60 28 0.3 27 0.6 49.9 2.9 17.4
Truck6 3,769 99 3,621 98 760 98.4 59 28 0.7 27.3 1.2 50 2.9 17.2
For-hire truck S S S S S S 650 S S S S S S 20.6
Private truck 2,626 69 2,586 70 194 25.1 36 27.1 8.5 31.4 7.7 34.4 15 11.9
Air (incl truck and air) S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Pipeline7 25 0.7 53 1.4 S S S 22.7 4.4 49.2 6.4 S S S
Multiple modes 10 0.3 S S 12 1.5 1,774 42.5 0.6 S S 42.8 6.2 37.4
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier - - - - - - 1,388 14.4 - 38.8 - 31.7 0.1 23
Truck and rail 8 0.2 19 0.5 7 0.9 357 7.1 1.6 5.9 3.6 16.8 11.5 -
Truck and water S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Other and unknown modes 1 - S S - - S 23.5 - S S 37.5 - 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 372 100 29,729 100 497 100 16 26.4 - 23.1 - 23.5 - 7.3
Single modes 370 99.4 29,727 100 497 100 16 26.5 0.5 23.1 - 23.5 - 7.3
Truck6 370 99.4 29,727 100 497 100 16 26.5 0.5 23.1 - 23.5 - 7.3
For-hire truck 164 44.1 14,792 49.8 280 56.3 19 20.1 6.5 18.2 5.3 20.7 5.7 11
Private truck 206 55.3 14,935 50.2 217 43.7 15 34.3 6.1 30.6 5.3 31.7 5.7 8.2
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 4,081 100 6,641 100 296 100 23 39.7 - 35.6 - 37.9 - 21
Single modes 4,078 99.9 6,636 99.9 296 100 23 39.7 - 35.6 - 37.9 - 23.5
Truck6 4,078 99.9 6,636 99.9 296 100 23 39.7 - 35.6 - 37.9 - 23.5
For-hire truck 1,437 35.2 2,445 36.8 119 40.3 39 43.5 8.7 40.4 8.5 36.9 9.9 21.2
Private truck 2,641 64.7 4,191 63.1 177 59.7 21 38.3 8.8 33 8.9 40.3 10 26.4
Other and unknown modes S S S S S S 36 S S S S S S 32.4

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 2,209 100 413 100 244 100 504 23.9 - 20.6 - 27.3 - 22.9
Single modes 1,894 85.8 386 93.5 210 85.9 208 27.4 9.2 21.1 4.8 29.3 6.1 37.4
Truck6 1,885 85.3 386 93.5 210 85.8 199 27.6 9.3 21.1 4.8 29.2 6.1 30.6
For-hire truck 1,551 70.2 288 69.6 204 83.7 717 33 11.2 29.1 12.4 29.5 8.2 6.7
Private truck 334 15.1 99 23.9 5 2.2 27 27.8 9.5 25.8 11.2 38.7 6.3 24.5
Air (incl truck and air) S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Multiple modes S S S S S S 1,017 S S S S S S 13.8
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier S S S S S S 1,017 S S S S S S 13.8
Other and unknown modes 78 3.6 19 4.6 S S S 32.8 12 40.1 6.7 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 2,542 100 1,734 100 248 100 341 17.8 - 10.1 - 17 - 20.9
Single modes 2,197 86.5 1,712 98.7 245 98.6 110 19.5 4.5 10.2 0.7 17.3 0.8 28.8
Truck6 2,180 85.8 1,711 98.7 243 97.8 97 19.6 4.6 10.2 0.7 17.3 0.9 25.1
For-hire truck 791 31.1 856 49.4 193 78 233 16.9 6.8 22 8.7 23.5 9.1 18.4
Private truck 1,388 54.6 855 49.3 49 19.9 57 33.6 8.5 22.4 8.8 30.3 9 11.5
Air (incl truck and air) 18 0.7 1 - 2 0.8 1,541 49.7 0.4 36.9 - 43.9 0.6 21.4
Multiple modes 302 11.9 7 0.4 3 1.3 514 37.6 4.4 35.4 0.2 33.1 0.8 29.3
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 302 11.9 7 0.4 3 1.3 514 37.6 4.4 35.4 0.2 33.1 0.8 29.3
Other and unknown modes S S S S - 0.1 299 S S S S 43.2 0.1 42.2

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 2,556 100 3,191 100 297 100 78 11.6 - 20.2 - 20.2 - 49.9
Single modes 2,155 84.3 3,070 96.2 287 96.7 63 8.9 5.4 20.9 2.8 20.9 2.3 23.5
Truck6 2,138 83.6 3,069 96.2 286 96.4 59 9.1 5.4 21 2.8 20.9 2.5 22
For-hire truck 1,089 42.6 1,447 45.4 235 79.3 S 15 7 31.7 9.3 27.6 8.3 S
Private truck 1,049 41 1,622 50.8 51 17.1 31 17.3 6 19.1 9.3 27.1 8.5 18.9
Air (incl truck and air) S S - - 1 0.2 1,568 S S 49.2 - 48.2 0.2 9.9
Multiple modes S S 2 0.1 S S 628 S S 44.8 0.1 S S 17.8
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier S S 2 0.1 S S 627 S S 49.2 0.2 S S 18.3
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 S S S S S S 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 9,831 100 347 100 S S 608 37.5 - 37.4 - S S 18.3
Single modes 5,380 54.7 320 92.3 S S 344 43.2 6.6 39.3 4 S S 42.3
Truck6 S S 318 91.6 S S 236 S S 39.6 4.2 S S 46.2
For-hire truck 3,266 33.2 256 73.7 S S 1,013 48 5.9 47.6 10.5 S S 13.9
Private truck S S 62 18 2 0.7 S S S 37.9 9.4 29.6 5 S
Air (incl truck and air) 924 9.4 2 0.7 2 0.6 1,258 29.4 3.5 40.8 0.5 34.8 4 18.5
Multiple modes 3,516 35.8 20 5.8 S S 953 30.2 5.2 32.8 2.8 S S 12.8
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 3,428 34.9 12 3.4 12 3.2 939 31.4 5.3 28 2.7 33.4 4.2 12.7
Truck and rail S S S S S S 2,936 S S S S S S 0.9
Truck and water S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Other and unknown modes 935 9.5 S S S S S 49.6 4.9 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 5,856 100 1,545 100 280 100 251 24.7 - 30.8 - 29.5 - 16.2
Single modes 5,037 86 1,449 93.8 241 86.2 91 24.9 4.5 32.2 2.9 32.8 5 15
Truck6 4,961 84.7 1,221 79 198 70.6 85 25.3 5.1 36.1 9.7 37.6 9.8 15
For-hire truck 1,531 26.1 269 17.4 87 31.1 302 39.4 7.1 36.3 4.4 29.2 8.6 33.9
Private truck 3,430 58.6 953 61.7 S S 40 26.4 9.7 41.6 10.8 S S 12.5
Rail 53 0.9 228 14.8 43 15.4 189 22.8 1.6 20.9 17.9 29.1 14.9 14.8
Air (incl truck and air) 23 0.4 S S S S 1,317 49.5 0.5 S S S S 31.4
Multiple modes 659 11.2 63 4.1 35 12.4 595 33.4 2.8 47.2 2.8 45.9 5.1 10.5
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 629 10.7 14 0.9 S S 595 35.5 2.6 41.8 0.4 S S 10.5
Truck and rail 9 0.2 42 2.7 12 4.2 282 10.5 1 9.1 17 8.8 15.1 -
Truck and water 20 0.3 8 0.5 S S S 37.7 1.9 39.8 1.7 S S S
Other and unknown modes 160 2.7 33 2.1 S S S 47.1 2.9 49.1 1.5 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.