# Presentation: 934577

## 2007 Commodity Flow Survey (CFS)

- John Fowler
- Chief, Commodity Flow Branch
- Service Sector Statistics Division (SSSD)
*Talking Freight Webinar*
*December 10, 2008*

## 2007 CFS - Background

- Conducted through a major partnership between:
- U.S. Census Bureau
- U.S. Department of Commerce
- Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS)
- 	-  Research and Innovative Technology Administration
- U.S. Department of Transportation
- Measures movement of goods in the U.S. by all modes of transportation

**Notes:**
Quick overview covering:  Background – major characteristics, methodology, unique features - Where we are now

## 2007 CFS – Where We Are Now

- Mailing began December 2006.  Follow-up continued through February 2008
- Each establishment is mailed 4 questionnaires:   One in each calendar quarter
- Editing, data review and resolution began April 2007, continuing through Nov. 2008

**Notes:**
These mailings occur every other week.   Once follow-up start – mailings take place every week

## CFS Sampling

- Three Stages of Sampling
- Establishments
- Weeks of the year
- Outbound shipments

**Notes:**
Unique Feature of CFS
Cover each briefly

## CFS Sampling

- Establishments:  A shipper based survey, using a sample of employer establishments in:
- Mining
- Manufacturing
- Wholesale
- Selected Retail and Service Industries
- Also includes warehouse locations of retail and other multi-establishment companies

## CFS Sampling

- Sample weeks of the year
- 4 one-week reporting periods assigned to each establishment
- 1 reporting period in each calendar quarter
- Sample covers all 52 weeks of the year

## CFS Sampling

- Sample of Outbound Shipments
- For each reporting period respondents report for a sample of outbound shipments
- Sample of shipments is selected by respondents using instructions provided
- Average number of shipments reported = 23
- Maximum reported set at 40

**Notes:**
Most unique feature of CFS

## CFS Data Collection	

- For each sampled shipment, respondents report:
- Origin, destination
- Mode of transportation
- Commodity (5-digit SCTG)
- Value of shipment
- Weight of shipment
- New for 2007 CFS
- Intermodal Status
- 3 PL Questions

**Notes:**
Intermodal:   y/n for every shipment reported
3PL = Third Party Logistic Providers   4th quarter only

## CFS Data Collection

- Hazardous Material Information
- Four digit UN/NA (United Nations/North America Code)
- Export Information
- Export mode
- Foreign destination

**Notes:**
Hazmat:  Increased interest due to safety and security implications

## CFS Summary Statistics

- Ongoing Measures
- Value, Tons, Ton Miles, Average Miles per Shipment
- Commodity Shipped
- Modes of Transportation
- Origin/Destination Flows
- New for 2007 CFS
- By Industry (NAICS)
- 3 PL Results

**Notes:**
Special Feature of CFS:  Mileage is calculated by each mode of transportation
Transportation Networks – System developed on operated by BTS staff on-site at Census.    See Mike Margreta and Adhi Dipo’s write-up in notebook.

## CFS Publication Levels of CFS Data

- National
- Census Regions and Divisions
- States
- Selected Metropolitan Areas & Remainder of State areas
- Hazardous Materials Report
- Exports

## 2007 CFS:  Improvements/Changes From 2002

- Increase in sample size
- 	2002 CFS:  50,0002007 CFS:  100,000

## 2007 CFS:  Improvements/Changes From 2002

- Conducted Advance Survey – February 2006
- Targeted 45,000 Auxiliary locations
- (establishments providing support only for parent company – i.e., warehouses)
- 40,000 Certainty establishments

## 2007 CFS:  Improvements/Changes From 2002

- Cognitive Testing for all Survey Materials
- 	Approximately 70 company interviews
- 	Improvements to questionnaire, instruction guide, commodity coding manual

## 2007 CFS:  Improvements/Changes From 2002

- New Disclosure Avoidance Methodology
- Previously relied upon cell suppression.  Usually not many, but potential impact on publication schedule was high
- 2007 CFS will use Noise methodology

**Notes:**
Eliminates risk at a key point in the survey cycle

## 2007 CFS:  Improvements/Changes From 2002

- Data Dissemination
- 	-	American FactFinder (AFF)
- 	2007 CFS will use AFF for the first time
- 	Print Reports:  U.S., Hazardous Materials, Exports

## 2007 CFS Publication Milestones

- December 9, 2008:  Release of Preliminary/Advance Report on AFF
- December 2009:  Release of Final Series Reports

## 2007 CFS

- Additional Information:
- 			_[www.census.gov/cfs](http://www.census.gov/cfs)_
- 			John Fowler
- 			301-763-2108
- 			john.l.fowler@census.gov