USA Banner

Official US Government Icon

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure Site Icon

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Site Notification

Site Notification

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 72,107 100 52,343 100 8,706 100 403 12.3 - 7.4 - 9.7 - 13.2
Single modes 51,984 72.1 49,231 94.1 7,619 87.5 208 14.3 7.2 6.5 1.6 9.3 2.7 17.4
Truck6 50,128 69.5 45,939 87.8 5,983 68.7 145 15 7.2 8.2 3.3 9.3 5.4 11.5
For-hire truck 34,580 48 25,820 49.3 4,589 52.7 325 21.7 6.2 12.7 4.8 9.9 4.6 10.2
Private truck 15,548 21.6 20,120 38.4 1,394 16 53 12.5 3.7 12.5 4 10.2 1.3 8.4
Rail 1,266 1.8 913 1.7 540 6.2 636 29.8 0.6 26.5 0.4 23.5 1.3 22.2
Water 150 0.2 S S S S 396 33.2 0.1 S S S S 17.6
Shallow draft 150 0.2 S S S S 396 33.2 0.1 S S S S 17.6
Air (incl truck and air) 440 0.6 11 - 9 0.1 983 36.7 0.3 34.5 - 35.6 0.1 6.5
Multiple modes 5,925 8.2 1,195 2.3 1,040 11.9 722 14.8 2.2 22.6 0.4 29.5 2.8 5.3
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 3,625 5 91 0.2 51 0.6 721 17.8 1.4 18.4 - 20.3 0.2 5.4
Truck and rail 2,251 3.1 987 1.9 933 10.7 1,019 34.2 1.4 27.1 0.4 33.3 2.9 12.6
Truck and water 45 0.1 S S S S 2,263 43.1 0.1 S S S S 24.8
Rail and water S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Other and unknown modes S S S S 47 0.5 S S S S S 46.4 0.3 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 S S 557 100 S S S S S 46.9 - S S S
Single modes S S 557 99.9 S S S S S 46.9 0.4 S S S
Truck6 S S 557 99.9 S S S S S 46.9 0.4 S S S
For-hire truck S S S S S S 564 S S S S S S 10
Private truck 225 29.2 232 41.6 S S S 45.5 18.8 41 18.7 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 4,070 100 2,353 100 932 100 S 16.9 - 17.3 - 12.6 - S
Single modes 3,793 93.2 2,278 96.8 838 89.9 S 16.9 3.6 18.3 3.6 13.1 4.6 S
Truck6 3,634 89.3 2,232 94.8 794 85.2 S 17.8 3.9 19 3.8 13.8 4.9 S
For-hire truck 2,091 51.4 1,055 44.8 587 63 619 26.1 6.2 16 4.4 16 4.2 8.9
Private truck 1,543 37.9 1,177 50 207 22.2 S 23.5 7.5 24.5 6.4 27.8 6 S
Rail 158 3.9 47 2 44 4.7 933 30.6 5.7 24 3.9 22.2 5.5 14.7
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 94 10.1 657 S S S S 44.8 4.6 39.6
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 10 0.2 1 - - - 552 43.8 0.1 45.2 - 49.6 - 26.3
Truck and rail S S S S S S 1,118 S S S S S S 33.9
Truck and water S S S S S S 4,509 S S S S S S 25.3
Rail 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 311 100 15,841 100 S S 25 49.7 - 31.2 - S S 45.4
Single modes S S 15,706 99.1 S S 24 S S 31.2 0.3 S S 45.4
Truck6 297 95.6 14,124 89.2 S S 24 49.7 3 32.4 5.5 S S 46.2
For-hire truck S S 6,849 43.2 156 14.7 29 S S 39.6 8.4 33.9 13.4 22.1
Private truck 107 34.4 7,275 45.9 158 15 S 43.4 13.1 40.3 8.3 43.9 15.1 S
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 7 2.2 S S S S 702 49.7 8.6 S S S S 35.6
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier S S - - - - 597 S S 25.4 - 42.4 - 22.1
Truck and rail S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Truck and water 1 0.3 S S S S S 32.4 1.4 S S S S S
Rail 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 52 S S S S S S 44.9

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 6,592 100 14,233 100 1,462 100 97 27 - 20 - 30.2 - 25.1
Single modes 6,584 99.9 14,111 99.1 1,447 99 97 27 0.1 19.8 0.5 30 0.5 25.1
Truck6 6,570 99.7 14,098 99.1 1,439 98.4 97 26.9 0.1 19.8 0.5 30.1 0.6 25.1
For-hire truck 4,220 64 9,806 68.9 1,011 69.1 103 27.1 7.3 20.2 6.1 31.9 6 26.6
Private truck 2,350 35.7 4,292 30.2 428 29.3 85 27.6 6.9 21.1 5.8 27 5.7 29
Rail 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 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 7,419 100 3,709 100 1,467 100 281 13.5 - 22.7 - 18 - 27
Single modes 6,179 83.3 3,442 92.8 1,288 87.8 170 16.1 5.2 23.6 2.3 19.1 4.6 40.8
Truck6 5,600 75.5 2,911 78.5 987 67.3 130 17.6 5 28.3 5 26.6 6.6 47.7
For-hire truck 3,996 53.9 2,426 65.4 907 61.8 S 16 5.9 32.1 6.1 27.5 6.4 S
Private truck 1,603 21.6 484 13.1 80 5.5 S 28 2.6 30.7 2.3 22.9 0.8 S
Rail 562 7.6 529 14.3 300 20.4 S 35.8 2.6 27.9 4.8 26.2 6.1 S
Air (incl truck and air) 18 0.2 S S S S 1,047 40.3 0.1 S S S S 13.3
Multiple modes 1,159 15.6 S S S S 403 33.9 5.4 S S S S 27.6
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 859 11.6 18 0.5 S S 401 46.2 5.6 47 0.5 S S 27.3
Truck and rail S S S S S S 910 S S S S S S 42.5
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 and unknown modes 81 1.1 S S 16 1.1 S 49.5 1 S S 47 1.1 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 8,302 100 1,333 100 374 100 774 30.2 - 18.9 - 18.9 - 7.4
Single modes 7,576 91.2 1,301 97.6 353 94.2 463 33 5.3 19.4 1.2 20.2 3.4 19.1
Truck6 7,467 89.9 1,294 97 340 90.8 202 33.5 6.3 19.6 1.3 21 4.1 9.5
For-hire truck 6,456 77.8 656 49.2 264 70.6 482 39.3 10.5 24.7 3 22.7 5.2 9.5
Private truck 1,011 12.2 637 47.8 76 20.2 65 18 6.2 16.5 2.8 30.6 3.9 14.5
Rail S S 5 0.4 11 2.8 2,345 S S 16.1 2.9 11.7 16.4 23.2
Air (incl truck and air) S S 2 0.1 2 0.6 1,070 S S 40.1 0.1 37.6 0.4 16.6
Multiple modes 690 8.3 24 1.8 17 4.5 932 20.8 5.2 22.6 0.5 26.6 1.8 3.9
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 689 8.3 24 1.8 17 4.4 932 20.8 5.2 22.6 0.6 26.9 1.8 3.9
Truck and water S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
Other and unknown modes 37 0.4 S S S S S 43 0.3 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 11,815 100 8,184 100 1,930 100 217 23 - 27.5 - 26.3 - 28
Single modes 9,147 77.4 7,501 91.6 1,325 68.6 225 25.6 5 30.3 4.3 25.1 9.3 23.2
Truck6 8,419 71.3 6,861 83.8 1,010 52.4 181 25.8 5.3 33.1 6.3 29.3 9.1 27.6
For-hire truck 6,125 51.8 2,319 28.3 763 39.6 544 27.9 5.8 17.1 7.1 36 7.1 6.5
Private truck 2,294 19.4 4,542 55.5 247 12.8 S 28.6 4.5 47.1 9.6 39.5 5.2 S
Rail 514 4.4 318 3.9 178 9.2 S 45.3 2.3 31.4 3 31.8 5.2 S
Water S S S S S S 407 S S S S S S 12.4
Shallow draft S S S S S S 407 S S S S S S 12.4
Air (incl truck and air) 186 1.6 S S S S 759 38 1.3 S S S S 28.1
Multiple modes 2,129 18 550 6.7 S S 487 32.9 4.5 47.9 4.2 S S 14
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 512 4.3 14 0.2 5 0.2 474 21 1.5 20.3 0.1 12.4 0.1 15.5
Truck and rail 1,617 13.7 535 6.5 599 31 1,034 36.1 6.8 42.3 6.8 44.4 11.7 19.7
Other and unknown modes 540 4.6 134 1.6 S S S 39.7 2.9 37.6 2 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 25,310 100 3,527 100 577 100 563 35.1 - 31.5 - 22 - 18.8
Single modes 10,660 42.1 1,955 55.4 555 96.2 331 48.6 13.5 35.4 13.8 22.7 1.9 22.2
Truck6 10,528 41.6 1,953 55.4 553 95.8 244 49.3 13 35.4 13.7 22.9 2 26.9
For-hire truck S S 1,777 50.4 525 91 583 S S 39.7 11.9 24.2 3.2 15.6
Private truck 1,376 5.4 175 5 28 4.8 61 23 5.3 23.9 5.5 28.8 2.2 24.9
Air (incl truck and air) 132 0.5 S S S S 921 41.4 1.8 S S S S 15.4
Multiple modes 1,176 4.6 24 0.7 17 2.9 805 35.8 4.3 31 0.6 28.9 0.9 12.5
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 1,158 4.6 22 0.6 15 2.6 805 36.7 4.3 34.1 0.6 34 0.8 12.6
Truck and water S S S S S S 1,326 S S S S S S 14.6
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 7,517 100 2,605 100 712 100 352 27.2 - 26.9 - 29.9 - 16.7
Single modes 6,971 92.7 2,381 91.4 588 82.6 152 28.6 5.7 27.3 4.3 32 5.7 21.9
Truck6 6,843 91 1,911 73.3 349 49.1 133 28.5 5.8 24.4 7.7 24.3 11.3 25.7
For-hire truck 1,804 24 605 23.2 200 28.1 436 21.7 5.6 17 7.6 22.6 9.5 11.6
Private truck 5,039 67 1,306 50.1 149 21 58 34.8 8.7 29.4 7 31.5 5.5 21.8
Water 115 1.5 470 18 238 33.4 417 39.7 0.8 45.2 7.1 45.3 12.1 24.4
Shallow draft 115 1.5 470 18 238 33.4 417 39.7 0.8 45.2 7.1 45.3 12.1 24.4
Air (incl truck and air) 13 0.2 S S S S 1,341 37.2 0.5 S S S S 20.9
Multiple modes 488 6.5 210 8.1 120 16.9 722 25 5.4 44.7 4.3 44.3 6 12.2
Parcel, U.S.P.S. or courier 397 5.3 11 0.4 7 0.9 721 32.5 5.2 40.6 0.1 44.5 0.5 12.4
Truck and rail 89 1.2 197 7.6 110 15.4 1,052 45.2 3.2 34.1 8.4 35.2 10.3 34.9
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 3 0.5 S S S S S 47.6 1.8 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.