The CFS identifies a dramatic increase in the value and weight of goods shipped by American businesses between 1993 and 1997, reflecting the effectiveness of that strategy and robust economy in which we live. Compared to 1993 CFS data, value is up 18.8 percent, tons are up 14.5 percent, and ton-miles are up 9.9 percent. According to Dr. Ashish Sen, director of BTS, the survey quantifies the magnitude and value of changes since the first CFS in 1993, highlighting changes by types of commodities and regions of the country, and shows the importance of intermodal transportation to the nation. These data are an excellent resource for transportation and economic development planners at all levels of government, as well as shippers and carriers in the private sector. For single mode shipments by industries covered in the CFS, trucking remains the dominant mode by value.
Intermodal transportation continues to be a critical component of the freight transportation system.
Shipments by more than one mode of transportation accounted for 13.6 percent of the value of all movements measured in the 1997 CFS, representing a growth of almost 43 percent in just 4 years. When estimates of shipments not included in the CFS are added in the future, these totals will increase. Railroads and maritime transportation also carry a substantial quantity of imports which are high value commodities. The 1997 CFS provides the first comprehensive view of hazardous materials flows in the United States. Hazardous materials totaled 1.6 billion tons, or 14.1 percent of all commodities measured in the 1997 CFS, with 80 percent being flammable liquids.