About the Freight Analysis Framework

The Freight Analysis Framework (FAF) database provides estimates of US freight flows. The FAF provides data for states and metropolitan areas. Flows include all modes of transportation and 42 commodity types. The Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) produces the FAF with support from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). BTS builds FAF with data from many sources. Inputs include the Commodity Flow Survey (CFS), foreign trade data, and data from agriculture, extraction, utility, construction, service, and other sectors.

FAF5 includes three types of freight flows: weight, value and activity. The FAF provides weight in thousands of tons, value in millions of 2017 constant dollars, and activity in millions of ton-miles. Users can download .csv and Microsoft Access files below.

Update: BTS released the technical report that documents the development of the FAF5 annual estimates and preliminary annual estimates. Users can click this link to access the report.

The latest version of FAF (FAF5.6.1) provides estimates of weight, value, and activity by origin and destination regions, commodity type, and mode for:

• Base year (2017)
• Annual estimates (2018–2022)
• Preliminary annual estimates (2023)
• Forecast year estimates (2025–2050)
• State-level historical trend estimates (1997–2012)
• Experimental county-to-county estimates (2022) – users can click this link to access the recently released experimental product (county-level flows) and documentation 

Updated annual estimates for 2023 will be available by summer 2025.

• Regional database of tonnage and value by origin-destination pair, commodity type, and mode.
  • FAF5.6.1 Regional Database for 2017 and forecasts up to 2050 (mid-range estimates only): FAF5.6.1_access.zip (MS Access) | FAF5.6.1.zip (.csv)
  • FAF5.6.1 Regional Database for 2017 and forecasts up to 2050 (including high and low estimates): FAF5.6.1_HiLoForecasts_access.zip (MS Access) | FAF5.6.1_HiLoForecasts.zip (.csv)
  • FAF5.6.1 Regional Database for 2018-2023: FAF5.6.1_2018-2023_access.zip (MS Access) | FAF5.6.1_2018-2023.zip (.csv) 
• State database of tonnage and value by origin-destination pair, commodity type, and mode.
  • FAF5.6.1 State Database for 2017 and forecasts up to 2050 (mid-range estimates only): FAF5.6.1_State_access.zip (MS Access) | FAF5.6.1_State.zip (.csv)
  • FAF5.6.1 State Database for 2017 and forecasts up to 2050 (including high and low estimates): FAF5.6.1_State_HiLoForecasts_access.zip (MS Access) | FAF5.6.1_State_HiLoForecasts.zip (.csv) 
  • FAF5.6.1 State Database for 2018-2023: FAF5.6.1_State_2018-2023_access.zip (MS Access) | FAF5.6.1_State_2018-2023.zip (.csv) 
  • FAF5.6.1 Reprocessed State Level Data for 1997-2012: FAF5.6.1_Reprocessed_1997-2012_State_access.zip (MS Access) | FAF5.6.1_Reprocessed_1997-2012_State.zip (.csv)

FAF5 Network Data

• FAF5 Truck Network Database and Flow Assignment for 2017, 2022, and 2050

Summary Statistics and Products

• Summary Tables by Mode and Commodity
• Maritime imports and exports by coast

Documentation and Webinars

• FAF5 User Guide
• FAF5 Data Tabulation Tool: Getting Started Guide
• FAF5 Base Year Data Development: Methodology Report
• FAF5 Annual Estimates Development: Technical Report
• Webinar presentation and video (June 25, 2024)

Related Information

• FAF5 Frequently Asked Questions
• CFS Area Code - FAF5 Region Id (lookup table)
• 2017 Commodity Flow Survey Geography

Recommended Citations for FAF Datasets

• FAF1 to FAF3 citation: U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). (1997-2007) Freight Analysis Framework, FAF-1-3 [datasets].
• FAF4 citation:  U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). (2012) Freight Analysis Framework, FAF4 [datasets].
• FAF5 citation for 2017-2050 data:
  • U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). (2017) Freight Analysis Framework, FAF5 [datasets]. https://doi.org/10.21949/1529116 
• FAF5 citation for historical reprocessed 1997-2012 data:
  • U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). (2017) Freight Analysis Framework, FAF5 [datasets]. https://doi.org/10.21949/1529108 

Previous Versions

Read about previous FAF5 versions and FAF's version numbering and view FAF4 data and documentation.

Inquiries about FAF can be directed to faf@dot.gov. For other inquiries, contact 202-366-DATA(3282) or answers@dot.gov.