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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 77,631 100 119,468 100 34,451 100 248 13.2 - 20.8 - 18.6 - 13.6
Single modes 70,488 90.8 111,477 93.3 30,009 87.1 162 14.3 3 20.6 1.4 21.6 5.4 17
Truck6 26,141 33.7 34,643 29 6,058 17.6 143 8 6.3 20.2 7.7 12.2 4.7 19.3
For-hire truck 15,568 20.1 22,223 18.6 5,100 14.8 351 8.4 3.9 23.8 6.5 14.4 4.5 21.3
Private truck 10,572 13.6 12,420 10.4 958 2.8 49 12.7 2.9 19 2.8 17.6 0.7 7.1
Rail 13,313 17.1 16,396 13.7 14,225 41.3 878 17.5 3.1 19.5 4.1 21.5 7.6 6.5
Water 12,921 16.6 28,494 23.9 S S S 35.6 4.3 38.6 5.4 S S S
Shallow draft 9,988 12.9 24,673 20.7 2,416 7 S 42.9 3.7 44.8 5.2 41.1 2.7 S
Deep draft S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Air (incl truck and air) S S S S S S 1,047 S S S S S S 12.5
Pipeline7 18,080 23.3 31,943 26.7 S S S 38.2 8.2 32.6 7.5 S S S
Multiple modes 6,708 8.6 7,505 6.3 4,037 11.7 542 29.6 3 39.2 1.4 32.5 5.4 18.4
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier S S 36 - 17 0.1 537 S S 45 - 37.4 - 19.3
Truck and rail 2,421 3.1 2,140 1.8 1,535 4.5 839 34.6 1.4 32.8 0.4 34.9 2.8 16.9
Truck and water S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Rail and water S S 906 0.8 634 1.8 794 S S 3.1 1.8 35.9 15.5 32.4
Other multiple modes S S S S S S 405 S S S S S S 13.2
Other and unknown modes 435 0.6 S S S S 149 37.5 0.4 S S S S 30.5

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 S S S S S S 40 S S S S S S 44.4
Single modes S S S S S S 40 S S S S S S 43.7
Truck6 S S S S S S 40 S S S S S S 30.6
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 40 S S S S S S 30.6
Water S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Shallow draft S S S S S S S S S S S 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 S S S S S
Other and unknown modes S S S S S S S S S S S S S 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 1,099 100 1,288 100 74 100 93 28.3 - 48.2 - 42.6 - 38.3
Single modes 1,098 99.9 1,287 100 74 99.9 91 28.3 - 48.2 - 42.6 0.2 39.6
Truck6 1,098 99.9 1,287 100 74 99.9 91 28.3 - 48.2 - 42.6 0.2 39.6
For-hire truck S S S S S S 588 S S S S S S 22.2
Private truck 765 69.6 576 44.7 29 40 37 32.9 9.5 18 14.3 21.1 13.9 14.3
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 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 S S 300 100 S S S S S 42.8 - S
Single modes S S S S 300 100 S S S S S 42.8 - S
Truck6 S S S S 300 100 S S S S S 42.8 - S
For-hire truck S S S S 173 57.8 S S S S S 38.5 13.1 S
Private truck 26 12.5 S S S S 48 42.5 17.8 S S S S 20
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

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 35,518 100 60,630 100 6,525 100 126 29.1 - 35.2 - 36.9 - 47.3
Single modes 32,138 90.5 56,193 92.7 4,264 65.4 S 31.6 7.3 36.6 7.2 38.7 11.7 S
Truck6 5,567 15.7 6,522 10.8 640 9.8 S 30.8 15.6 33.9 16.5 28 16.7 S
For-hire truck 3,257 9.2 3,715 6.1 506 7.8 S 34.2 12.3 36.1 12.9 29.6 15 S
Private truck 2,310 6.5 2,807 4.6 135 2.1 34 34.8 6.1 38.1 6.7 36.8 3.7 46.2
Rail S S 2,833 4.7 S S 735 S S 43.4 9 S S 30.4
Water S S S S S S 80 S S S S S S 36
Shallow draft S S S S S S 80 S S S S S S 36
Pipeline7 17,024 47.9 27,003 44.5 S S S 16.4 13 10.7 12.3 S S S
Multiple modes S S S S S S 740 S S S S S S 25.2
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier S S S S S S 161 S S S S S S 11.7
Truck and rail S S S S S S 932 S S S S S S 28.1
Truck and water S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Rail 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 375 S S S S S S 24.8
Other and unknown modes S S S S S S 4 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 31,559 100 35,682 100 24,087 100 478 18.3 - 14.4 - 26.4 - 10
Single modes 29,131 92.3 32,541 91.2 22,211 92.2 451 18.6 2.4 14 2.7 28.4 3.5 11.4
Truck6 12,544 39.7 9,202 25.8 3,856 16 411 17 5.2 10.1 5.7 15.7 4.9 14.6
For-hire truck 8,975 28.4 6,680 18.7 3,346 13.9 599 14 4.3 11.7 4.6 15.2 4.6 13.9
Private truck 3,569 11.3 2,522 7.1 509 2.1 102 29.5 3 25.3 2.7 30.6 0.7 12.4
Rail 10,153 32.2 12,313 34.5 10,333 42.9 820 17.7 4.8 23 4.5 25.3 7 5.4
Water S S 7,459 20.9 S S 721 S S 46.3 9.3 S S 37.1
Shallow draft S S S S 1,175 4.9 S S S S S 39.4 3.4 S
Deep draft S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Air (incl truck and air) S S - - - - 1,399 S S 49.7 - 49.6 - 7.2
Pipeline7 1,029 3.3 3,566 10 S S S 38.6 4.9 31.3 8.1 S S S
Multiple modes 2,301 7.3 2,757 7.7 1,489 6.2 661 35.6 2.5 40.5 2.2 35.2 2.3 16.1
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier S S S S S S 665 S S S S S S 17
Truck and rail 1,220 3.9 1,113 3.1 610 2.5 597 43.5 3 40.8 1.5 49.8 2.2 24.7
Truck and water 19 0.1 S S S S 2,249 48.9 0.3 S S S S 24
Rail and water S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Other multiple modes 241 0.8 1,127 3.2 583 2.4 459 30.3 0.7 27.8 1.1 26.5 1.5 10.1
Other and unknown modes S S S S S S S S S S S 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 1,534 100 1,126 100 S S 261 39.2 - 40.6 - S S 21.3
Single modes 1,206 78.6 921 81.8 S S 112 45 11.1 41.3 10.3 S S 45.6
Truck6 1,165 76 890 79 S S 111 44 10.9 40.6 10.1 S S 45.6
For-hire truck S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Private truck 226 14.7 199 17.7 12 1.8 45 28.4 12.9 27.3 13.6 33.3 13.8 19.4
Rail S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Multiple modes 326 21.2 205 18.2 166 24.1 348 35 11.2 44.1 10.3 46.1 12.2 34.6
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 159 10.4 S S S S 346 47.5 13.5 S S S S 35.8
Truck and rail 167 10.9 187 16.6 159 23.1 871 49.9 4.9 31.8 6.5 28.7 13.4 16.2
Other and unknown modes 2 0.2 S S S S S 47 1.7 S S 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 3,252 100 5,467 100 2,340 100 221 21.4 - 24.4 - 43.2 - 49.5
Single modes 3,031 93.2 5,390 98.6 2,278 97.3 S 21 1.7 24.6 0.6 44.1 5.2 S
Truck6 2,210 68 4,055 74.2 502 21.5 S 18.7 5.4 18.4 5.4 48.3 17.4 S
For-hire truck 1,304 40.1 1,619 29.6 S S S 22.3 5.4 20.8 8 S S S
Private truck 906 27.9 2,436 44.6 75 3.2 36 20 6.8 22.7 7 19.2 8.7 11.4
Rail 743 22.9 1,219 22.3 1,774 75.8 1,451 34.2 8 43.7 6.2 49.1 17.1 21.4
Water 74 2.3 116 2.1 1 0.1 11 10.4 15.7 10.3 11.9 9.1 1.4 -
Shallow draft 74 2.3 116 2.1 1 0.1 11 10.4 15.7 10.3 11.9 9.1 1.4 -
Air (incl truck and air) S S S S S S 1,213 S S S S S S 22.1
Multiple modes 193 6 S S S S 579 34.9 1.8 S S S S 19
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 190 5.8 5 0.1 3 0.1 578 33.2 1.9 40 0.2 35.6 0.5 21.5
Truck and rail 4 0.1 64 1.2 59 2.5 1,005 31.3 0.2 42.2 1.4 49.1 14 24.2
Other and unknown modes 28 0.8 8 0.2 - - S 43.5 1 29.2 0.1 45 0.1 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 909 100 113 100 26 100 241 17.7 - 48 - 39 - 42.6
Single modes 492 54.2 51 44.9 8 30.3 S 18 7.3 21.5 12.5 23.1 12.6 S
Truck6 462 50.8 50 44.7 8 29.2 S 20.6 7.5 21.6 12.1 28.5 11.7 S
For-hire truck 98 10.8 9 7.6 5 18.3 267 21.7 6.2 39.4 8.6 43.6 11 25.2
Private truck 363 40 42 37.1 3 10.9 53 22.7 7.7 24 13.3 23.8 9.9 18.4
Air (incl truck and air) S S S S S S 986 S S S S S S 10.6
Multiple modes 184 20.2 4 3.5 3 11.5 741 34.1 6.6 32.5 3.3 38.1 5.2 11.5
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 128 14.1 3 2.3 2 6.9 741 36.5 6.7 28.6 3 24.5 5.6 11.6
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 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 3,069 100 S S 236 100 295 25.4 - S S 26 - 22.7
Single modes 2,710 88.3 S S 179 75.8 127 28 7 S S 33.3 9.9 20.8
Truck6 2,684 87.4 897 38.8 172 72.6 127 27.6 6.9 33 16.7 33 9.8 21.4
For-hire truck 477 15.5 238 10.3 113 47.8 729 23.2 5.4 47.1 8.5 49.7 9.1 21.8
Private truck 2,207 71.9 659 28.5 59 24.8 52 31.2 9.3 33.9 15.1 32.1 11.6 13.4
Air (incl truck and air) S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Pipeline7 S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Multiple modes 318 10.3 31 1.3 S S 944 49 6.7 46.5 6.9 S S 19.6
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier S S 3 0.2 S S 940 S S 45.5 0.2 S S 17.2
Truck and rail 71 2.3 27 1.2 S S 1,922 37.9 15.2 41.1 18.9 S S 11.9
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 26 S S S S S S 29.9

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 28 S S S S S S 44.5
Single modes S S S S S S 29 S S S S S S 46.5
Truck6 S S S S S S 29 S S S S S S 46.5
Private truck S S S S S S 29 S S S S S S 46.5
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.