Commodity Flow Survey Data for Seven More States Now Available

Contact DOT 74-96 Carolee Bush Media 202-366-6946 Felix Ammah-Tagoe Technical 202-366-8926

Friday, April 12, 1996 -- The Department of Transportation s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) today announced the availability of results from the Commodity Flow Survey (CFS) for seven more states: Alaska, Indiana, Montana, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, and Washington. Data for the states of Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Nevada, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont have been released to date.

The reports contain the value and weight of commodities shipped by each state in 1993 by type of commodity, means of transportation, state of destination, and other characteristics. Reports for the remaining states will be released over the next five months, and will be followed by publication of national summaries, more detailed electronic files, and interpretive studies.

The CFS is the first comprehensive effort to determine where and how goods are shipped in the United States since 1977. The data provide insight into the movement of goods, and are useful for transportation planners, economic development agencies, and others interested in supporting domestic and foreign trade.

The CFS represents a major partnership between DOT and the Department of Commerce s Bureau of the Census. Census collected data each quarter from nearly 200,000 business establishments. BTS helped design the survey, provided funding, and is developing a series of data products and interpretive reports to turn the data into useful information.

Summaries of the data from each available state can be obtained from BTS through the Bureau s Fax-on-Demand Service at 800/671-8012. The summaries can also be obtained through the Internet at www.bts.gov. Select the BTS Products button, and then click on Commodity Flow Survey for CFS data and reports, announcements of future CFS products, and material related to plans for the next CFS in 1997.

Printed copies of each report are available by contacting the Commodity Flow Survey Branch, Services Division, Bureau of the Census, Washington, DC 20233, or by calling 301/457-2788 or 2114.