Freight Analysis Framework
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About the Freight Analysis Framework
The Freight Analysis Framework (FAF) database has estimates of US freight flows. Data are available 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). We build 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 has three types of freight flows: weight, value and activity. Weight is in thousands of tons, value is in millions of 2017 constant dollars, and activity is in millions of ton-miles. Users can download .csv and Microsoft Access files below.
Update - Latest version - FAF5.6.1 now includes preliminary annual estimates for 2023. FAF 5.6.1 has 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)
FAF5.6.1 is available now and includes the preliminary annual estimates for 2023. Updated annual estimates for 2023 will be available in early 2025. In addition, FAF 5.6.1 includes improved estimates of foreign trade flows by ground modes across the California/Mexico border and by water through the FAF region named Rest of Minnesota for 2018 to 2021. FAF 5.6.1 also integrates updated foreign water cargo totals from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for 2021 and 2022. US coal imports and exports were adjusted to better align with data from the Energy Information Administration for 2018-2023.
- 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
Summary Statistics and Products
Documentation and Webinars
- FAF5 User Guide
- FAF5 Data Tabulation Tool: Getting Started Guide
- FAF5 Base Year Data Development: Methodology 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.