Methodologies used in surveys of road freight transport in Member States, EFTA and Candidate Countries : 2017 edition : revised.
Date: 2018-05-30
Institutions: Eurostat
Subjects: EU statistics, carriage of goods, international road transport, road transport, sample survey, statistical method, transport statistics

Methodologies used in surveys 
of road freight  transport in 
Member States, EFTA and 
Candidate countries 

REVISED 

2017 edition

S T A T I S C T I C A L
G U I D E L I N E S

MANUALS ANDGUIDELINESRoad freight transport methodology 2016 editionMethodologies used in surveys 
of road freight transport in 
 Member States, EFTA and  
Candidate countries 

REVISED  2017 edition 

 
 
 
Manuscript completed in December 2017 and revised in May 2018. 

Neither the European Commission nor any person acting on behalf of the Commission is responsible for the 
use that might be made of the following information. 

Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union, 2018 

© European Union, 2018  
Reuse is authorised provided the source is acknowledged.  
The reuse policy of European Commission documents is regulated by Decision 2011/833/EU (OJ L 330, 
14.12.2011, p. 39). 

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For any use or reproduction of photos or other material that is not under the EU copyright, permission must 
be sought directly from the copyright holders. 
For more information, please consult: http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/about/policies/copyright 

The information and views set out in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official 
opinion of the European Union. Neither the European Union institutions and bodies nor any person acting on their behalf 
may be held responsible for the use which may be made of the information contained therein. 

Theme: Transport 
Collection: Manuals and guidelines 

PDF 

ISBN 978-92-79-85953-3 

ISSN 2315-0815 

doi:10.2785/262283  KS-GQ-17-114-EN-N 

Contact 

Contact 

Please address comments and questions relating to this Manual to: 

Nikos Roubanis 

Transport Statistics Unit 
Eurostat 
Bech Building 
L-2920 Luxembourg 
tel: 
fax: 

+352 4301 32483 
+352 4301 32839 

Email: estat-transport@ec.europa.eu 

Annabelle Jansen 

Transport Statistics Unit 
Eurostat 
Bech Building 
L-2920 Luxembourg 
tel: 
fax: 

+352 4301 37145 
+352 4301 32839 

Email: estat-transport@ec.europa.eu 

Methodologies used in road freight transport surveys in Member States, EFTA and 
Candidate Countries 

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Table of contents 

Table of Contents 

Introduction ................................................................................................................. 8 

Belgium ....................................................................................................................... 9 

Sampling register used for the survey ....................................................................................... 9 

Sampling methodology .............................................................................................................. 10 

Bulgaria ..................................................................................................................... 12 

Sampling register used for the survey ..................................................................................... 12 

Sampling methodology .............................................................................................................. 12 

Czech Republic ......................................................................................................... 15 

Sampling register used for the survey ..................................................................................... 15 

Sampling methodology .............................................................................................................. 16 

Denmark .................................................................................................................... 18 

Sampling register used for the survey ..................................................................................... 18 

Sampling methodology .............................................................................................................. 19 

Germany .................................................................................................................... 22 

Sampling register used for the survey ..................................................................................... 22 

Sampling methodology .............................................................................................................. 22 

Estonia....................................................................................................................... 28 

Sampling register used for the survey ..................................................................................... 28 

Sampling methodology .............................................................................................................. 29 

Ireland ........................................................................................................................ 32 

Sampling register used for the survey ..................................................................................... 32 

Sampling methodology .............................................................................................................. 33 

Greece ....................................................................................................................... 37 

Sampling register used for the survey ..................................................................................... 37 

Sampling methodology .............................................................................................................. 37 

Spain .......................................................................................................................... 41 

Sampling register used for the survey ..................................................................................... 41 

Sampling methodology .............................................................................................................. 41 

France ........................................................................................................................ 44 

Sampling register used for the survey ..................................................................................... 44 

Sampling methodology .............................................................................................................. 44 

Croatia ....................................................................................................................... 47 

Sampling register used for the survey ..................................................................................... 47 

Methodologies used in road freight transport surveys in Member States, EFTA and 
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Table of contents 

Sampling methodology .............................................................................................................. 47 

Italy ............................................................................................................................ 50 

Sampling register used for the survey ..................................................................................... 50 

Sampling methodology .............................................................................................................. 51 

Cyprus ....................................................................................................................... 54 

Sampling register used for the survey ..................................................................................... 54 

Sampling methodology .............................................................................................................. 54 

Latvia ......................................................................................................................... 57 

Sampling register used for the survey ..................................................................................... 57 

Sampling methodology .............................................................................................................. 58 

Lithuania .................................................................................................................... 61 

Sampling register used for the survey ..................................................................................... 61 

Sampling methodology .............................................................................................................. 61 

Luxembourg .............................................................................................................. 64 

Sampling register used for the survey ..................................................................................... 64 

Sampling methodology .............................................................................................................. 64 

Hungary ..................................................................................................................... 67 

Sampling register used for the survey ..................................................................................... 67 

Sampling methodology .............................................................................................................. 67 

Malta .......................................................................................................................... 70 

Sampling register used for the survey ..................................................................................... 70 

Sampling methodology .............................................................................................................. 70 

Netherlands ............................................................................................................... 72 

Sampling register used for the survey ..................................................................................... 72 

Sampling methodology .............................................................................................................. 73 

Austria ....................................................................................................................... 77 

Sampling register used for the survey ..................................................................................... 77 

Sampling methodology .............................................................................................................. 77 

Poland ....................................................................................................................... 82 

Sampling register used for the survey ..................................................................................... 82 

Sampling methodology .............................................................................................................. 82 

Portugal ..................................................................................................................... 87 

Sampling register used for the survey ..................................................................................... 87 

Sampling methodology .............................................................................................................. 87 

Romania .................................................................................................................... 91 

Sampling register used for the survey ..................................................................................... 91 

Methodologies used in road freight transport surveys in Member States, EFTA and 
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Table of contents 

Sampling methodology .............................................................................................................. 91 

Slovenia ..................................................................................................................... 95 

Sampling register used for the survey ..................................................................................... 95 

Sampling methodology .............................................................................................................. 95 

Slovak Republic ........................................................................................................ 99 

Sampling register used for the survey ..................................................................................... 99 

Sampling methodology ............................................................................................................ 100 

Finland ..................................................................................................................... 102 

Sampling register used for the survey ................................................................................... 102 

Sampling methodology ............................................................................................................ 103 

Sweden .................................................................................................................... 107 

Sampling register used for the survey ................................................................................... 107 

Sampling methodology ............................................................................................................ 108 

United Kingdom (national) ..................................................................................... 115 

Sampling register used for the survey ................................................................................... 115 

Sampling methodology ............................................................................................................ 115 

United Kingdom (international) .............................................................................. 119 

Sampling register used for the survey ................................................................................... 119 

Sampling methodology ............................................................................................................ 119 

Liechtenstein........................................................................................................... 122 

Sampling register used for the survey ................................................................................... 122 

Sampling methodology ............................................................................................................ 122 

Norway..................................................................................................................... 125 

Sampling register used for the survey ................................................................................... 125 

Sampling methodology ............................................................................................................ 126 

Switzerland .............................................................................................................. 129 

Sampling register used for the survey ................................................................................... 129 

Sampling methodology ............................................................................................................ 129 

Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia ............................................................. 132 

Sampling register used for the survey ................................................................................... 132 

Sampling methodology ............................................................................................................ 132 

Table 1 – Scope of surveys .................................................................................... 134 

Table 2 – Type of questionnaire used for the survey ........................................... 137 

Table 3 – Sampling rate in space (of vehicles, firms), 2016 ................................. 138 

Table 4 – Time-based sampling rate, 2017 ............................................................ 139 

Methodologies used in road freight transport surveys in Member States, EFTA and 
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Table of contents 

Table 5 – Global sampling rates (in space and in time) ....................................... 140 

Table 6 – Response rate, 2015-2016 ...................................................................... 141 

Table 7 – Register quality, 2015-2016 .................................................................... 142 

Table 8 – Precision of results, in terms of Standard error for total transport (on 
tonnes), 2015-2016 .................................................................................................. 143 

Table 9 – Precision of results, in terms of Standard error for total transport (on 
tonne-kilometres), 2015-2016 ................................................................................. 144 

Table 10 – Optional variables provided by the reporting countries .................... 145 

Methodologies used in road freight transport surveys in Member States, EFTA and 
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Introduction 

Introduction 

The present document contains the methodologies used by Member States, EFTA and Candidate 
Countries for their surveys on road freight transport statistics. 

This is a revised edition (updated information for Italy), as the initial edition was released on 
19/01/2018. 

This document provides a quite extensive coverage of what is available on road transport statistics 
methodology. 

It is set out as following: 

  Part 1 describes national methodology for data collection. Information presented there is 
based on questionnaires completed by the reporting countries. These questionnaires 
updated the existing information up to the first quarter of 2017. 

  Part 2 includes summary tables, with the basic information on sampling, response rate, 

register quality and precision of results of the surveys. 

Data on the register used to draw the sample and the sampling methodology is relevant to the 
surveys conducted in the first quarter of 2017, while the main figures given for each country refer to 
the years 2015 and 2016, according to data availability. Out of all the yearly figures, only the total 
number of statistical units is calculated as the average of the quarterly data, whereas for all the 
others sums are considered. The results presented in the summary tables have been calculated from 
the supplementary B-tables. 

Concepts and definitions used in road freight transport statistics can be found in the manual ‘Road 
freight transport methodology’, i.e. the Reference Manual for the implementation of the Council 
Regulation No 70/2012 on statistics on the carriage of goods by road. 

Further information on road freight transport statistics 

Detailed data and metadata are available in the Eurostat dissemination database under the collection 
’Road freight transport measurement (road_go)’ 

http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/data/database 

Road freight transport methodology, Reference Manual for the implementation of the Council 
Regulation No 70/2012 on statistics on the carriage of goods by road: 

http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/documents/3859598/8134263/KS-GQ-16-105-EN-N.pdf 

Methodologies used in road freight transport surveys in Member States, EFTA and 
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Methodologies used in surveys of road freight transport in Member States, EFTA and Candidate Countries 

I 

1 

Methodologies used in 
road freight transport 
surveys in Member States, 
EFTA and Candidate 
Countries 

Belgium 

Organisation responsible for the conducting the survey: 

Statistics Belgium 

(Based on information referring to the first quarter of 2017) 

Sampling register used for the survey 

Name of register: 

Register of Motor Vehicles 

Name of organisation who maintains the register: 

Ministry of Mobility and Transport 

Frequency of update: 

Monthly 

Frequency of access to draw the samples: 

Weekly 

Arrangements for accessing the register: 

The register is obtained by file transfer 

Information obtained from the register: 

Name and address of owner, license plate number, chassis number, VAT-number, load capacity, 
type of vehicle, type of body, brand. 

Stratification: load capacity and type of body 

Procedure for reminders: 

One reminder is sent after 1 month. 

Response rate: 50-60 % 

Methodologies used in road freight transport surveys in Member States, EFTA and 
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Methodologies used in surveys of road freight transport in Member States, EFTA and Candidate Countries 

I 

Sampling methodology 

Statistical unit: 

Tractive vehicle 

Types of units excluded: 

Agricultural vehicles, military vehicles, public administration and public service vehicles and vehicles 
not destined to the transport of goods. 

Vehicles with a load capacity of less than 1 tonne. 

Time unit: 

1 week 

Time units of quarter 1 of 2017 included in the survey: 

All (13 weeks) 

Stratification: 

All tractors are surveyed. The sample for lorries is stratified according to 2 criteria: load capacity (14 
classes) and type of body (8 classes); this gives 112 strata. 

Recording of weight of goods: 

Gross weight of goods is collected, i.e. containers swap bodies and pallets are excluded. 

Recording of journey data sent to Eurostat: 

Single stop: There is a 1-to-1 relation between journeys and goods (1 journey = 1 (main) good). 

Multi stop: The distance taken into account for the calculation of the tonne-kilometres is the 2/3 of the 
total course in loading. 

Collection/delivery: The distance taken into account for the calculation of the tonne-kilometres is the 
half of the total course in loading. 

Calculation of weighting factors: 

Weighting factor = 

N = number of vehicles in the register (in a stratum) 

S = number of questionnaires used in analysis (in A1 dataset) 

Optional variables covered: 

  Vehicle empty kilometres 

  Type of cargo 

  Vehicle operator’s NACE category of activity 

  Axle configuration 

  Degree of loading of the vehicle 

  Possibility of using vehicles for combined transport 

Additional variables collected compared to the legal requirements: 

Environmental impact related variables: none 

A1. Vehicle-related variables: none 

A2. Journey-related variables: none 

Methodologies used in road freight transport surveys in Member States, EFTA and 
Candidate Countries 

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SN13 
 
 
Methodologies used in surveys of road freight transport in Member States, EFTA and Candidate Countries 

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A3. Goods-related variables: none 

Methodologies used in road freight transport surveys in Member States, EFTA and 
Candidate Countries 

11 

Main figures20152016Total number of relevant goods vehicles in the country105 93099 552Number of vehicles selected for initial sample and questionnaires dispatched to vehicle owners16 73414 876Number of cases where no vehicle activity was recorded during the sampled period but the vehicle could be considered as part of the active stock3 2052 553Number of cases classified as non-respondents5 8117 130Number of cases where sample register information was wrong and response could not be used1 196651Number of questionnaires used in analysis6 5224 542More information in Countries Specific Notes(https://circabc.europa.eu/w/browse/9eea25b6-ebf2-4961-aed3-6ab27fb95b74) 
 
 
 
 
 
Methodologies used in surveys of road freight transport in Member States, EFTA and Candidate Countries 

I 

Bulgaria 

Organisation responsible for the conducting the survey: 

National Statistical Institute 

(Based on information referring to the first quarter of 2017) 

Sampling register used for the survey 

Name of register: 

Register of Motor Vehicles 

Name of organisation who maintains the register: 

The Ministry of Interior 

Frequency of update: 

Quarterly updated 

Frequency of access to draw the samples: 

Once a quarter 

Arrangements for accessing the register: 

Bilateral inter-institutional agreement between the NSI and the Ministry of Interior for providing 
statistical information. 

Information obtained from the register: 

Vehicles’ registration number, type of vehicle, year of first registration, maximum permissible laden 
weight, load capacity, number of axes, region, name and address of the owner, model gross weight. 

In the stratification of the sample are used region and gross weight. 

Procedure for reminders:  

First reminder: 2 weeks after the end of the surveyed week 

Second reminder: 4 weeks after the end of the surveyed week 

The response rate is adequate. 

Sampling methodology 

Statistical unit: 

Tractive vehicle 

Types of units excluded: 

Vehicle with maximum permissible laden weight under 6 tonnes, military vehicles, vehicles of the 
Ministry of Interior and other public administrations, agriculture tractors and other motor vehicles not 
designed to carry goods, vehicles with weight and dimensions exceeding the normal permitted limits 
of the country. 

Time unit: 

1 week 

Methodologies used in road freight transport surveys in Member States, EFTA and 
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Methodologies used in surveys of road freight transport in Member States, EFTA and Candidate Countries 

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Time units of quarter 1 of 2017 included in the survey: 

All (13 weeks) 

Stratification: 

The sample for each quarter of the year is stratified by vehicles’ gross weight (6 groups) and 
country’s regions (28 regions), which give 168 strata. 

The annual size of the sample for 2014 is provided on the base of sample size, tonnes carried and 
tonne-kilometres performed in 2013 and is stratified by vehicles’ gross weight into 6 groups: 

  Group 1: Lorries and special vehicles with gross weight up to 7 499 kg; 

  Group 2: Lorries and special vehicles with gross weight from 7 500 kg up to 14 999 kg; 

  Group 3: Lorries and special vehicles with gross weight from 15 000 kg up to 16 999 kg; 

  Group 4: Lorries and special vehicles with gross weight from 17 000 kg up to 24 999 kg; 

  Group 5: Lorries and special vehicles with gross weight above 25 000 kg; 

  Group 6: Road tractors. 

Each quarter the 6 groups sample is distributed proportionally by the 28 regions. 

Recording of weight of goods: 

Gross weight of goods is reported. The containers swap bodies or pallets are excluded from the 
weight of goods.  

Recording of journey data sent to Eurostat: 

Single stop: Respondents can record only one type of goods, i.e. goods of larger weight. If no type of 
goods is dominant, the commodity ‘Miscellaneous’ is recorded. 

Multi stop: Each transport operation is recorded. 

Collection deliver: For type 3 journeys with more than 5 points for loading and unloading, the 
respondents are asked to fill in the total distance travelled loaded and the total distance empty, the 
total weight of transported goods, the main type of goods and the number of stops. 

Calculation of weighting factors: 

Weighting factor = 

N = number of vehicles in the register (in a stratum) 

S = number of questionnaires used in analysis (in A1 dataset) 

S’ = number of vehicles for which no activity was recorded, but vehicles could be considered as 
active (holiday, no work, etc.) 

Optional variables covered: 

  Vehicle empty kilometres 

  Type of cargo 

  Axle configuration 

  Degree of loading of the vehicle 

Additional variables collected compared to the legal requirements: 

Environmental impact-related variables: 

  Type of fuel used and fuel consumption. 

Methodologies used in road freight transport surveys in Member States, EFTA and 
Candidate Countries 

13 

'13SSN 
 
 
 
 
Methodologies used in surveys of road freight transport in Member States, EFTA and Candidate Countries 

I 

A1. Vehicle-related variables: 

 

 

 

possibility of using vehicles for combined transport (YES) 

axle configuration according to the nomenclature defined in the Regulation on road 
transport statistics (YES) 

vehicle operator’s NACE Rev. 2 at class level (four-digit level) (NO) 

A2. Journey-related variables: 

 

 

 

place of loading, if any, of the road transport vehicle on another means of transport 
(YES) 

place of unloading, if any, of the road transport vehicle from another means of transport 
(YES) 

situation ‘fully loaded’ (procedure 2) or ‘not fully loaded’ (procedure 1) of the goods road 
transport vehicle during the journey in question, in terms of maximum volume of space 
used during the journey (procedure 0 = by convention for unladen journeys) (NO) 

A3. Goods-related variables: 

 

type of freight (Cargo types) as defined in the Regulation (YES) 

Methodologies used in road freight transport surveys in Member States, EFTA and 
Candidate Countries 

14 

Main figures20152016Total number of relevant goods vehicles in the country129 455115 514Number of vehicles selected for initial sample and questionnaires dispatched to vehicle owners16 00016 000Number of cases where no vehicle activity was recorded during the sampled period but the vehicle could be considered as part of the active stock3 8904 341Number of cases classified as non-respondents4 8865 242Number of cases where sample register information was wrong and response could not be used4 5633 564Number of questionnaires used in analysis2 6612 853More information in Countries Specific Notes(https://circabc.europa.eu/w/browse/9eea25b6-ebf2-4961-aed3-6ab27fb95b74) 
 
 
 
 
 
Methodologies used in surveys of road freight transport in Member States, EFTA and Candidate Countries 

I 

Czech Republic 

Organisation responsible for the conducting the survey: 

Transport Research Center 

(Based on information referring to the first quarter of 2014) 

Sampling register used for the survey 

Name of register: 

Central Register of Vehicles 

Name of organisation who maintains the register: 

Ministry of Transport 

Frequency of update: 

Continuously 

Frequency of access to draw the samples: 

Once a quarter 

Arrangements for accessing the register: 

Sample of road vehicles is being selected by the administrator of the Central Register of Vehicles 
following agreed criteria (according to territorial units and weight categories). 

Information obtained from the register: 

List of vehicles including assigned license plate, holders of vehicle company, territorial unit (districts), 
type of body of goods road vehicle, weight category, vehicle type, year of first registration, fuel used, 
load capacity, permissible weight and number of axles. 

Used in stratification: Load capacity, vehicle type and territorial unit. 

Procedure for reminders: 

The questionnaire for a given period surveyed is sent one week in advance. The deadline for 
response is 12 days following the end of the period surveyed. The first reminder is sent 14 days 
following termination of the mentioned period. If no response is received within next 14 days, the 
second reminder is sent to the vehicles holder. 

If the Ministry of Transport is informed about the recent change of the ownership of a vehicle (not 
recorded in the register yet) or about leasing of a vehicle, then, if possible a questionnaire is sent 
once more to the real operator of the vehicle. 

The response rate is considered quite adequate. For example, the response rate for the first quarter 
of 2014 was 91.4 %. 

Methodologies used in road freight transport surveys in Member States, EFTA and 
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Methodologies used in surveys of road freight transport in Member States, EFTA and Candidate Countries 

I 

Sampling methodology 

Statistical unit: 

Tractive vehicle 

Types of units excluded: 

Vehicles with a load capacity less than 2 tonnes and vehicles with oversized load, agriculture 
vehicles, military vehicles and public administration vehicles. 

Time unit: 

1 week 

Time units of quarter 1 of 2014 included in the survey: 

All (13 weeks) 

Stratification: 

The sample is stratified according to 4 weight categories and 8 territorial units. 

Weight categories: 

1. 2 - 6 tonnes 

2. 6 - 10 tonnes 

3. More than 10 tonnes 

4. Tractors 

Territorial units: 

1. Praha 

2. Střední Čechy 

3. Jihozápad 

4. Severozápad 

5. Severovýchod 

6. Jihovýchod 

7. Střední Morava 

8. Moravskoslezsko 

The stratum code consists of 2 numbers. The first is the code of the weight category and the second 
is the code of the territorial unit (e.g. 11, 12, ..., 18, 21, 22, ..., 28, ..., 41, ..., 48). 

Recording of weight of goods: 

Gross weight of goods is collected. Large freight containers and swap bodies are excluded from the 
weight of goods. The pallets are included in the weight of goods. 

Recording of journey data sent to Eurostat: 

Single stop: Respondents can record only one type of goods, i.e. goods of largest weight. 

Collection/delivery: The first place of loading of the goods and the furthermost place of unloading is 
being used. 

Other variables: Most frequently used type and axle configuration of trailers or semi-trailers during a 
surveyed week is used for coding. 

Methodologies used in road freight transport surveys in Member States, EFTA and 
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Methodologies used in surveys of road freight transport in Member States, EFTA and Candidate Countries 

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Calculation of weighting factors: 

Weighting factor = 

N = number of vehicles in the register (in a stratum) 

S = number of questionnaires used in analysis (in A1 dataset) 

S’= number of vehicles for which no activity was recorded, but vehicles could be considered as active 
(holiday, no work, etc.) 

Optional variables covered: 

  Vehicle empty kilometres 

  Type of cargo 

  Vehicle operator’s NACE category of activity 

  Axle configuration 

Additional variables collected compared to the legal requirements: 

Environmental impact-related variables: none 

A1. Vehicle-related variables: 

 

 

 

possibility of using vehicles for combined transport (NO) 

axle configuration according to the nomenclature defined in the Regulation on road 
transport statistics (YES) 

vehicle operator’s NACE Rev. 2 at class level (four-digit level) (YES) 

A2. Journey-related variables: 

 

 

 

place of loading, if any, of the road transport vehicle on another means of transport (NO) 

place of unloading, if any, of the road transport vehicle from another means of transport 
(NO) 

situation ‘fully loaded’ (procedure 2) or ‘not fully loaded’ (procedure 1) of the goods road 
transport vehicle during the journey in question, in terms of maximum volume of space 
used during the journey (procedure 0 = by convention for unladen journeys) (NO) 

A3. Goods-related variables: 

 

type of freight (Cargo types) as defined in the Regulation (YES) 

Methodologies used in road freight transport surveys in Member States, EFTA and 
Candidate Countries 

17 

'13SSNMain figures20152016Total number of relevant goods vehicles in the country at mid-point of year140 639144 583Number of vehicles selected for initial sample and questionnaires despatched to vehicle owners17 04417 953Number of cases where no vehicle activity was recorded during the sampled period but the vehicle could be considered as part of the active stock4 5615 060Number of cases classified as non-respondents1 4271 532Number of cases where sample register information was wrong and response could not be used2 5583 037Number of questionnaires used in analysis8 4988 324More information in Countries Specific Notes(https://circabc.europa.eu/w/browse/9eea25b6-ebf2-4961-aed3-6ab27fb95b74) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Methodologies used in surveys of road freight transport in Member States, EFTA and Candidate Countries 

I 

Denmark 

Organisation responsible for the conducting the survey: 

Statistics Denmark 

(Based on information referring to the first quarter of 2017) 

Sampling register used for the survey 

Name of register: 

Central Register of Motor Vehicles (CRM) and Road Worthiness Test (RWT) 

Name of organisation who maintains the register: 

Danish Tax Authority (Skat) 

Frequency of update: 

Monthly 

Frequency of access to draw the samples: 

Quarterly 

Arrangements for accessing the register: 

Statistics Denmark receives monthly a complete copy of the Danish register for motor vehicles and 
maintains a full copy for analytical and statistical purposes. From this copy a selection of vehicles are 
selected. 

Information obtained from the register: 

From Register of vehicles: 

  Vehicle Registration number 

  Type of vehicle (lorry, road tractor, etc.)(*) 

  Primary vehicle use (freight, taxi, etc.) 

  Nett weight 

  Maximum permissible laden weight(*) 

  Unladen vehicle weight 

  Number of axles 

  Available coupling 

  Type of permission for the vehicle use (e.g. own account, road freight, animal transport, 

etc.) (*) 

  First date of registration in Denmark 

  VAT number of owner 

From Roadworthiness test: 

  Vehicle registration number 

  Date of last road worthiness test 

  Odometer reading(*) 

(*) indicated stratification variables 

Methodologies used in road freight transport surveys in Member States, EFTA and 
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Methodologies used in surveys of road freight transport in Member States, EFTA and Candidate Countries 

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Procedure for reminders: 

Statistics Denmark has a general policy and procedure for reminders that is followed in the road 
freight survey 

First written reminder (by e-mail, if known) 1 week after collection week 

Second written reminder (by e-mail, if known) 2 weeks after collection week 

Third reminder by phone 3 weeks after collection week 

Fourth written reminder by registered letter 

After last due date set in the fourth reminder, the matter is turned over to the police for legal 
proceedings according to Law on Statistics Denmark. First time fines are usually set to DKK 800 
(approximately EUR 100). 

The response rate is between 98 and 99 %. 

Sampling methodology 

Statistical unit: 

Tractive vehicle 

Types of units excluded: 

Vehicles below 6 tonnes maximum permissible laden weight and personally owned vehicles are 
excluded. 

Estimations for the vehicle-km (or performance) not covered by the survey: 

Based on odometer readings an estimate for the total vehicle-km for all vehicles above any limit can 
be made. It is however not possible to assess neither vehicle-km nor performance not covered on 
road freight transport since not all vehicle-km should be counted as road freight. 

Time unit: 

1 week 

Time units of quarter 1 of 2017 included in the survey: 

All (13 weeks) 

Stratification: 

The variable STRATUM indicates the strata of the vehicle with a three-digit code. Stratification is 
done by type of vehicle, use of vehicle and the expected vehicle-km. 

First digit is the type of vehicle and can assume the following values: 

1 = Sole lorries (mostly) 

2 = Lorries with coupling, 15 - 18 tonnes 

3 = Lorries with coupling, 18 - 24 tonnes 

4 = Lorries with coupling, above 24 tonnes 

5 = Road tractor, less than 18 tonnes 

6 = Road tractor, 18 - 24 tonnes 

7 = Road tractor, above 24 tonnes 

Methodologies used in road freight transport surveys in Member States, EFTA and 
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Methodologies used in surveys of road freight transport in Member States, EFTA and Candidate Countries 

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Second digit is the use of vehicle and can assumes the following values: 

1 = Transport by reward 

2 = Own account 

Third digit is the expected vehicle-km based on past performance within the strata based on the first 
two digit from the odometer reading in the road worthiness tests and can assumes the following 
values: 

1 = Less than median 

2 = More than median 

3 = New vehicle (no odometer readings) 

Recording of weight of goods: 

The weight of containers, swap bodies, etc. are excluded the weight of goods. 

Recording of journey data sent to Eurostat: 

Single stop: Type 1 (single stop) journeys includes multi-stop journeys in the Danish survey. The 
journeys are split by stages and type of good is the dominant good. 

Multi stop: It is assumed that multi-stop journeys are small in number and can be described as a 
series of single journeys or as a collection/delivery journey. 

Collection/delivery: Tonne-kilometres = 0.5 *tonnes loaded * journey length 

Calculation of weighting factors: 

Weighting factor = 

N = number of vehicles in the register (in a stratum) 

R = number of responses within stratum 

Optional variables covered: 

  Vehicle empty kilometres 

  Vehicle operator’s NACE category of activity 

  Axle configuration 

  Degree of loading of the vehicle 

  Possibility of using vehicles for combined transport 

Additional variables collected compared to the legal requirements: 

Environmental impact related variables: 

  None. Outside the scope of freight statistics, emissions are calculated within the 

environmental satellite account to national accounts. 

A1. Vehicle-related variables: 

 

 

 

possibility of using vehicles for combined transport (NO) 

axle configuration according to the nomenclature defined in the Regulation on road 
transport statistics (NO) 

vehicle operator’s NACE Rev. 2 at class level (four-digit level) (YES) 

A2. Journey-related variables: 

 

place of loading, if any, of the road transport vehicle on another means of transport (NO) 

Methodologies used in road freight transport surveys in Member States, EFTA and 
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RN13 
 
 
Methodologies used in surveys of road freight transport in Member States, EFTA and Candidate Countries 

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 

 

place of unloading, if any, of the road transport vehicle from another means of transport 
(NO) 

situation ‘fully loaded’ (procedure 2) or ‘not fully loaded’ (procedure 1) of the goods road 
transport vehicle during the journey in question, in terms of maximum volume of space 
used during the journey (procedure 0 = by convention for unladen journeys) (NO) 

A3. Goods-related variables: 

 

type of freight (Cargo types) as defined in the Regulation (NO) 

Methodologies used in road freight transport surveys in Member States, EFTA and 
Candidate Countries 

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Main figures20152016Total number of relevant goods vehicles in the country at mid-point of year36 81336 617Number of vehicles selected for initial sample and questionnaires despatched to vehicle owners8 3818 626Number of cases where no vehicle activity was recorded during the sampled period but the vehicle could be considered as part of the active stock2 6552 934Number of cases classified as non-respondents160310Number of cases where sample register information was wrong and response could not be used404341Number of questionnaires used in analysis5 1625 041More information in Countries Specific Notes(https://circabc.europa.eu/w/browse/9eea25b6-ebf2-4961-aed3-6ab27fb95b74) 
 
 
 
 
 
Methodologies used in surveys of road freight transport in Member States, EFTA and Candidate Countries 

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Germany 

Organisation responsible for the conducting the survey: 

Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (KBA) 

(Based on information referring to the first quarter of 2017) 

Sampling register used for the survey 

Name of register: 

Zentrales Fahrzeugregister (ZFZR) 

Name of organisation who maintains the register: 

Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (KBA) 

Frequency of update: 

Continuous 

Frequency of access to draw the samples: 

Every 4 weeks 

Arrangements for accessing the register: 

The register is accessed in a unit which is totally distinct from the statistical domain. 

The establishment of the sample from the Register is undertaken according to the sample and 
stratification plan, the principles of which are established with the Federal Statistical Office. 

Information obtained from the register: 

Information for stratification: address of the vehicle owner, owner group, region of registration, type of 
vehicle, load capacity. 

Information to conduct the survey: licence plate number, name and address of the vehicle owner, 
maximum permissible laden weight, load capacity, type of vehicle and body type, owner group. 

Information to relieve the burden of respondents: date of first registration of the vehicle, maximum 
permissible laden weight, load capacity, engine power, number of axles, type of vehicle and body 
type, region of registration (Bundesland), owner group, exhaust emissions class. 

Procedure for reminders: 

A reminder is sent 23 days after the date the questionnaire is due to be returned. 

A penalty procedure starts another 23 days after the reminder, if the questionnaire is still not 
returned. 

The response rate is considered as adequate for the purpose of the survey. 

Sampling methodology 

Statistical unit: 

Tractive vehicle 

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Methodologies used in surveys of road freight transport in Member States, EFTA and Candidate Countries 

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Types of units excluded: 

Lorries < 3.501 tonnes load capacity, military vehicles, vehicles of public administrations, vehicles not 
destined to the transport of goods (e.g. agricultural tractors, special purpose vehicles) and vehicles 
not used for goods transport on public roads (own account only). 

Estimations for the vehicle-km (or performance) not covered by the survey: 

Estimation of vehicle-km can be done using odometer readings. 

Thereafter the estimation for vehicle-km of all light-duty lorries (up to 6 tons maximum permissible 
weight, including vehicles not designed for freight transport) comes up to about 46 thousand millions 
km per year 

Time unit: 

Half a week (either Sunday 22 o’clock to Wednesday 24 o’clock, or Thursday 0 o’clock to Sunday 22 
o’clock). 

Time units of quarter 1 of 2017 included in the survey: 

27 half-weeks (from 5 sample series) 

Stratification: 

Stratification is done in 5 hierarchical steps (number of categories in brackets), 72 strata are 
distinguished: 

1st level: Fleet size (2) 

2nd level:Owner group (2) 

3rd level: Region of vehicle registration (6) 

4th level: Vehicle class (2) 

5th level: Vehicle size of lorry (2) 

The strata-number identifies features as follows: 

First digit: Region of registration (grouped NUTS 1) 

1: Ostsee: Schleswig-Holstein (DEF), Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (DE8) 

2: Nordsee: Bremen (DE5), Hamburg (DE6), Niedersachsen (DE9) 

3: Nordrhein-Westfalen (DEA) 

4: Mitte: Hessen (DE7), Rheinland-Pfalz (DEB), Saarland (DEC)  

5: Ost: Berlin (DE3), Brandenburg (DE4), Sachsen (DED), Sachsen-Anhalt (DEE), 
Thüringen (DEG) 

6: Süd: Baden-Württemberg (DE1), Bayern (DE2) 

Second digit: Owner features (registered economic activity and fleet size in the population) 

Transportation and storage 

1: fleet up to 5 vehicles 

2: fleet of more than 5 vehicles 

Other owner groups 

3: fleet up to 5 vehicles 

4: fleet of more than 5 vehicles 

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Methodologies used in surveys of road freight transport in Member States, EFTA and Candidate Countries 

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Third digit: Vehicle features (vehicle class and size) 

Transportation and storage 

0: road tractor 

1: lorry; load capacity of 3 501 tonnes to less than 11 500 tonnes 

2: lorry; load capacity of 11 500 tonnes and more 

Other owner groups 

0: road tractor 

3: lorry; load capacity of 3 501 tonnes to less than 9 500 tonnes 

4: lorry; load capacity of 9 500 tonnes and more 

Recording of weight of goods: 

Gross weight of goods is collected, i.e. containers swap bodies and pallets are excluded. 

Recording of journey data sent to Eurostat: 

Single stop: Only one “main” commodity can be captured. If more than one goods commodity is 
carried, the most important commodity is reported. 

From reporting period 2015 on: If dangerous goods are transported, up to 5 dangerous goods are 
reported in up to 5 separate A3-data records. 

In detail data is reported as follows: 

A3:  8 - A3.1 

Type of goods with the uppermost weight (in case of different 
types) 

9 - A3.2 

= ‘A2.2’ 

10 - A3.3 

Classification of the first dangerous goods quoted in the 
questionnaire (up to five types can be listed, it is assumed, that the 
first is the main one) 

11 - A3.4 

Type of cargo of the load transported on the journey 

12 - A3.5 

13 - A3.6 

14 - A3.7 

= ‘A2.3’ 

= ‘A2.4’ 

= ‘A2.5’ 

A2:  12 - A2.2 

Weight of goods transported on the journey 

13 - A2.3 

Point of loading (begin of journey) 

14 - A2.4 

Point of unloading (end of journey) 

15 - A2.5 

Distance travelled on the journey 

16 - A2.6 

= ‘A2.2’ * ‘A2.5’ 

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Methodologies used in surveys of road freight transport in Member States, EFTA and Candidate Countries 

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Multi stop: Multi-stop journey is collected by vertical stages. One A2- with one A3-dataset is reported. 
Simplification is performed as follows: 

A3: 

8 - A3.1 

Type of goods of first loading 

9 - A3.2 

= ‘A2.2’ 

10 - A3.3 

Classification of the first dangerous goods quoted in the 
questionnaire (up to five types can be listed, it is assumed, that the 
first is the main one) 

11 - A3.4 

Type of cargo of first loading 

12 - A3.5 

= ‘A2.3’ 

13 - A3.6 

= ‘A2.4’ 

14 - A3.7 

= ‘A2.5’ 

A2: 

12 - A2.2 

= ‘A2.6’ / ‘A2.5’ 

13 - A2.3 

First point of loading on the journey 

14 - A2.4 

Last point of unloading on  the journey 

15 - A2.5 

Sum of distances travelled on all vertical stages 

16 - A2.6 

Sum of each stages product of ‘kg’ * ‘km’ 

kg = Weight of goods transported between two successive stops (points) of the journey 

km = Distance travelled between two successive stops (points) of the journey 

Collection/delivery: It consists in journeys up to 30 km distance and with several points of loading 
and/or unloading. Only the number of stops is collected. In detail data is reported as follows: 

A3: 

8 - A3.1 

Type of goods with the uppermost weight (in case of different types) 

9 - A3.2 

= ‘A2.2’ 

10 - A3.3 

Classification of the first dangerous goods quoted in the questionnaire (up to 
five types can be listed, it is assumed, that the first is the main one) 

11 - A3.4 

Type of cargo of the load transported on the journey 

12 - A3.5 

= ‘A2.3’ 

13 - A3.6 

= ‘A2.4’ 

14 - A3.7 

= ‘A2.5’ 

A2: 

12 - A2.2 

Maximum weight of goods transported on the journey 

13 - A2.3 

First point of loading (begin of journey) 

14 - A2.4 

Last point of unloading (end of journey) 

15 - A2.5 

Distance travelled on the journey 

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Methodologies used in surveys of road freight transport in Member States, EFTA and Candidate Countries 

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Calculation of weighting factors: 

The calculation of the grossing factor is done on a monthly basis (not quarterly) in two steps. At first 
each series is extrapolated considering missing answers in stratum using multiplicative completion. 
In a second step a monthly and stratum adaptation to the current stock data is done. Since the 
survey period may cover two different months the vehicle day is the unit for the adaptation instead of 
the survey period.  

The grossing factor for the journeys of a vehicle, that belongs to a stratum h, drawn in series i, with 
journeys in month j is as follows: 

 = number of vehicles in stratum h at the time of the drawing of the series i 

= number of selected vehicles in stratum h of series i 

 = number of real non-response of vehicles in stratum h, which were selected in series i (no 

feedback, refusals, questionnaire undeliverable, specifications of user not available) 

 = number of vehicle-days in stratum h in month j of the population 

 = number of vehicles-days in stratum h in month j extrapolated from the sample 

Mhj should be correctly identified using a daily count of each stratum of the register and in adding in 
each stratum the results of all days in the month. For practical reasons a good approximation is 
made multiplying the stock made up of stratum on the 15th of each month with the length of the 
month in days (i.e. 28, 29, 30 or 31). The method of extrapolation with the monthly adaptation to the 
actual stock of vehicles allows including estimates for the registration of new vehicles between the 
date of the sample drawing and the reference period. Missing answers are also estimated. Under the 
assumption that missing answers in each stratum occur at random the additional estimation of 
missing answers does not cause any bias. 

The weighting factor is affected by the following items: 

  Reporting period not congruent with quarter 

The initial sample of one sample series (vehicle sample stratified by 72 strata) covers a 
reporting period of 8 half-weeks (time based sample). 

  Reminder 

One reminder, send to non-respondents, gives a new reporting period. The new reporting 
period can be in another quarter. 

  Monthly grossing up 

As the number of relevant vehicles in the database changes continuously and there is a time 
difference between sampling and reporting period a monthly adjustment factor is calculated 
as part of the weighting factor. 

Optional variables covered: 

  Vehicle empty kilometres 

  Type of cargo 

  Axle configuration 

  Degree of loading of the vehicle 

Methodologies used in road freight transport surveys in Member States, EFTA and 
Candidate Countries 

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Methodologies used in surveys of road freight transport in Member States, EFTA and Candidate Countries 

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Additional variables collected compared to the legal requirements: 

Environmental impact related variables: none 

A1. Vehicle-related variables: 

 

 

 

possibility of using vehicles for combined transport (NO) 

axle configuration according to the nomenclature defined in the Regulation on road 
transport statistics (YES) 

vehicle operator’s NACE Rev. 2 at class level (four-digit level) (NO) 

A2. Journey-related variables: 

 

 

 

place of loading, if any, of the road transport vehicle on another means of transport 
(YES) 

place of unloading, if any, of the road transport vehicle from another means of transport 
(YES) 

situation ‘fully loaded’ (procedure 2) or ‘not fully loaded’ (procedure 1) of the goods road 
transport vehicle during the journey in question, in terms of maximum volume of space 
used during the journey (procedure 0 = by convention for unladen journeys) (YES) 

A3. Goods-related variables: 

 

type of freight (Cargo types) as defined in the Regulation (YES) 

Methodologies used in road freight transport surveys in Member States, EFTA and 
Candidate Countries 

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Main figures20132014Total number of relevant goods vehicles in the country487 036500 275Number of vehicles selected for initial sample and questionnaires dispatched to vehicle owners187 139187 815Number of cases where no vehicle activity was recorded during the sampled period but the vehicle could be considered as part of the active stock35 37734 826Number of cases classified as non-respondents7 5257 948Number of cases where sample register information was wrong and response could not be used10 34510 243Number of questionnaires used in analysis133 892134 798More information in Countries Specific Notes(https://circabc.europa.eu/w/browse/9eea25b6-ebf2-4961-aed3-6ab27fb95b74) 
 
 
 
 
 
Methodologies used in surveys of road freight transport in Member States, EFTA and Candidate Countries 

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Estonia 

Organisation responsible for the conducting the survey: 

Statistics Estonia 

(Based on information referring to the first quarter of 2017) 

Sampling register used for the survey 

Name of register: 

Estonian Traffic Register 

Name of organisation who maintains the register: 

Estonian Road Administration 

Frequency of update: 

Continuously 

Frequency of access to draw the samples: 

Once a quarter 

Arrangements for accessing the register: 

The order of Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications by which the Vehicle Register is 
obliged to give the data to the Statistics Estonia. 

The agreement between Statistics Estonia and Estonian Road Administration about data exchange 
between those two organisations. 

Information obtained from the register: 

Data from the traffic register of the Estonian Road Administration (vehicle details and authorised 
user), data from the Register of Economic Activities (the certified copies of licenses (carriage of 
goods)) and the Population register (contact details) are used. 

From the Estonian Traffic Register the following data are obtained: 

  Type of vehicle, registration number of vehicle, mark and model, maximum permissible 

laden weight, load capacity, age of vehicle (year and date of first registration), vehicle 
category, body type of lorry, type of fuel, number of axles of lorry or tractor, register 
weight, ), maximum gross weight of trailer, maximum load capacity of trailer, name and 
address with postal code of the vehicle user (or owner, when user information is not 
available), register code of enterprise or natural person (ID code); special characteristic 
for foreign owner. 

  Main activities (NACE Rev.2) of enterprise/organisation using the vehicle is obtained 
from the register of economically active enterprises called the Statistical Profile. The 
Statistical Profile is created on the basis of the Commercial Register. 

The data on licenses from the Register of Economic Activities are downloaded from the database at 
https://mtr.mkm.ee. 

For contact information (telephone number and e-mail address) on individual persons, the data of the 
Population Register are used. 

Data used for stratification of sample: main activities (NACE Rev.2) of enterprise/organisation using 
the vehicle (4941/other activities), sole proprietors as users; type of vehicle and body type, maximum 
load capacity of lorry, year of manufacture. 

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Methodologies used in surveys of road freight transport in Member States, EFTA and Candidate Countries 

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Procedure for reminders: 

Statistics Estonia has a standard routine for reminders in electronic data collection system eSTAT: 

  Deadline is 8 days after the survey week. Most of the data respondents (99.7 %) have 

an e-mail address. 

  First reminder: 3 days after the deadline by e-mail (or by phone is no e-mail address is 

available) 

  Second reminder: 8 days after the deadline by e-mail (or by phone is no e-mail address 

is available) 

  Third reminder: 37 days after the deadline by e-mail. (or by phone is no e-mail address 

is available) 

  After the third reminder, the vehicle users will be contacted by (mobile) phone. 

The response rate is satisfactory, but the number of working vehicles is low. Response rate is about 
80 %, but the share of working vehicles is only 30 %. 

Sampling methodology 

Statistical unit: 

Tractive vehicle 

Types of units excluded:  

Lorries less than 3.5 tonnes load capacity, military vehicles, vehicles of public administrations and 
public services, agricultural tractors, vehicles with age of vehicle over 25 year, special purpose 
vehicles such as truck cranes, fire-engine vehicles, road maintenance vehicles and other special 
purpose vehicles are also excluded, if it is possible to identify them from sampling  frame by Estonian 
Road Administration.  

Time unit: 

1 week 

Time units of quarter 1 of 2017 included in the survey: 

All (13 weeks) 

Stratification: 

Recording of weight of goods 

Gross-gross weight of goods is collected, i.e. containers swap bodies and pallets are included. 

Recording of journey data sent to Eurostat: 

Single stop, multi stop and collection/delivery: If more than one goods commodity is carried, it is 

Methodologies used in road freight transport surveys in Member States, EFTA and 
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Stratum NoDescriptionFrameSample1Road tractors of road transport enterprises NACE rev.2 code 49416 5935722Lorries: Load capacity > 3.5<10 tonnes: of road transport enterprises NACE rev.2 code 4941934523Lorries: Load capacity >10 tonnes: of road transport enterprises NACE rev.2 code 49411 7611824Road tractors of all other enterprises Nace rev 22 2882215Lorries: Load capacity > 3.5<10 tonnes: all other enterprises NACE rev.22 148786Lorries: Load capacity >10 tonnes: all other enterprises NACE rev.22 2231827Sole proprietors1 641221 
 
 
 
Methodologies used in surveys of road freight transport in Member States, EFTA and Candidate Countries 

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coded as NST2007 group 18 - Grouped goods: a mixture of types of goods which are transported 
together; 19 - Unidentifiable goods: goods which cannot be assigned to groups 01 - 16 or 20 - Other 
goods. 

If mixed goods are selected, then goods loading type is set according to good with highest weight. 

Other variables: We assume that within one journey only one commodity is carried. 

Estimation of maximum permissible laden weight: 

Maximum permissible laden weight in dataset A2 is not estimated, collected information is used. 

Calculation of weighting factors: 

Weighting factor = 

N = number of vehicles in the register (in a stratum) 

S = number of questionnaires used in analysis (in A1 dataset) 

S’= number of vehicles for which no activity was recorded, but vehicles could be considered as active 
(holiday, no work, etc.). 

No post-stratification used. 

Optional variables covered: 

  Vehicle empty kilometres 

  Type of cargo 

  Axle configuration 

  Degree of loading of the vehicle 

Additional variables collected compared to the legal requirements: 

Environmental impact related variables: 

Type of fuel used. No information about fuel consumption. 

A1. Vehicle-related variables: 

 

 

 

possibility of using vehicles for combined transport (NO) 

axle configuration according to the nomenclature defined in the Regulation on road 
transport statistics (YES) 

vehicle operator’s NACE Rev. 2 at class level (four-digit level) (YES) 

A2. Journey-related variables: 

 

 

 

place of loading, if any, of the road transport vehicle on another means of transport (NO) 

place of unloading, if any, of the road transport vehicle from another means of transport 
(NO) 

situation ‘fully loaded’ (procedure 2) or ‘not fully loaded’ (procedure 1) of the goods road 
transport vehicle during the journey in question, in terms of maximum volume of space 
used during the journey (procedure 0 = by convention for unladen journeys) (YES) 

A3. Goods-related variables: 

 

type of freight (Cargo types) as defined in the Regulation (YES) 

Methodologies used in road freight transport surveys in Member States, EFTA and 
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'13SSN 
 
 
Methodologies used in surveys of road freight transport in Member States, EFTA and Candidate Countries 

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Methodologies used in road freight transport surveys in Member States, EFTA and 
Candidate Countries 

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Main figures20152016Total number of relevant goods vehicles in the country16 34516 488Number of vehicles selected for initial sample and questionnaires dispatched to vehicle owners6 0326 032Number of cases where no vehicle activity was recorded during the sampled period but the vehicle could be considered as part of the active stock1 6541 753Number of cases classified as non-respondents1 8831 732Number of cases where sample register information was wrong and response could not be used1 072975Number of questionnaires used in analysis1 4231 572More information in Countries Specific Notes(https://circabc.europa.eu/w/browse/9eea25b6-ebf2-4961-aed3-6ab27fb95b74) 
 
 
 
 
 
Methodologies used in surveys of road freight transport in Member States, EFTA and Candidate Countries 

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Ireland 

Organisation responsible for the conducting the survey: 

Central Statistics Office 

(Based on information referring to the first quarter of 2014) 

Sampling register used for the survey 

Name of register: 

Goods Vehicle File 

Name of organisation who maintains the register: 

Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport 

Frequency of update: 

The goods vehicle file is updated on a daily basis within the Department 

Frequency of access to draw the samples: 

Every 8 weeks 

Arrangements for accessing the register: 

Every 8 weeks, the CSO receives an updated goods vehicle file from the Vehicle Registration Unit of 
the Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport. This file contains details of all vehicles currently taxed 
as goods vehicles in the State. The file is used to update the CSO’s Register of goods vehicles which 
contains only vehicles with an un-laden weight of 2 000 kg and over. The CSO register is updated 
each time to reflect any newly licensed vehicles or vehicles that are no longer in use (these are 
deleted). Vehicles on the CSO register which have not been taxed in over 3 years are also deleted 
from the register. 

Information obtained from the register:  

The data obtained from the Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport file are as follows: 

  Year and month when the taxation certificate on the vehicle expires 

  Motor tax office code (2 digit) in which the vehicle is taxed 

  Unladen weight of the vehicle 

  Registration number of the vehicle 

  Society of Motor Industry code of the vehicle 

  Year of manufacture of the vehicle 

  Taxation use (own account/hire or reward - 1 digit code) 

 

License Code (to show if the vehicle is licensed for carriage of owner’s goods only or for 
hire and reward) 

  Fuel type of vehicle (1 digit code) 

  Body type of vehicle (2 digit code) 

  Name and address of owner of vehicle 

  Year of first registration of vehicle 

  Make (3 digit character code) & model (3 digit code) of vehicle 

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Methodologies used in surveys of road freight transport in Member States, EFTA and Candidate Countries 

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  New/second hand (1 digit code) 

Two new variables are created when updating the CSO Register: 

  Age – calculated from the year of manufacture of the vehicle (3 age categories) 

  Size – calculated from the un laden weight of the vehicle (3 size categories) 

There are 9 sample selection strata based on the 9 different combinations of the age and size 
categories. 

Procedure for reminders: 

A first reminder is sent if the questionnaire has not been returned by post within 12 days of the due 
date. A second reminder notice is sent 12 days later if the questionnaire still has not been returned. 
A third and final reminder is issued 31 days after the original due date. 

The response rate is adequate. 

Sampling methodology 

Statistical unit: 

Tractive vehicle 

Types of units excluded: 

The following vehicles are excluded: 

  Vehicles with an unladen weight of less than 2 000 kg 

  Vehicles not registered for the transport of goods 

  Vehicles taxed as non-commercial vehicles 

Time unit: 

1 week 

Time unit of quarter 1 of 2014 included in the survey: 

All (13 weeks) 

Stratification: 

The following table shows the basis of the stratification used. There are 20 strata which are used for 
grossing. These are aggregated to 9 strata for sample selection. Different sampling rates are applied 
to different selection strata. 15 % of vehicles in selection strata 1, 4 and 7, 50 % of vehicles in 
selection strata 2, 5 and 8, and 90 % in strata 3, 6 and 9 are sampled. Any vehicle selected is only 
sampled once in any survey year. 

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Methodologies used in surveys of road freight transport in Member States, EFTA and Candidate Countries 

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Recording of weight of goods: 

Gross weight of goods is collected; containers swap bodies and pallets are excluded, but pallets 
might be included. 

Recording of journey data sent to Eurostat: 

Single stop: Our practice is to record only one goods type per journey. This would be recorded as a 
mixed load if there are more than one goods commodity carried. 

Multi stop: Our practice is to record only one origin and one destination for each journey. For each 
journey, the origin, destination, number of collection stops and weight of goods collected and the 
number of delivery stops and weight of goods delivered are recorded. Tonne-km for the journey as a 
whole is derived by the processing system. 

Collection/delivery: Our practice is to record only one origin and destination for a journey. The origin 
and destination, number of collection stops and weight of goods collected and the number of delivery 
stops and weight of goods delivered are recorded. There is no facility to enter tonne-kilometres on 
the data entry system so tkm are calculated using formulas for a combination of collection and 
delivery stops. 

Calculation of weighting factors: 

When calculating the grossing factor per stratum, the average active vehicle population per stratum 
is first estimated. This is done by adding the number of vehicles in each stratum at the beginning and 
end of the calendar quarter and dividing by 2 which gives the average population of vehicles per 
strata. This figure serves as the benchmark figure for each stratum to which the survey estimates are 
grossed up to. The number of vehicles with activity during the quarter (vehicles included in A1) is 
then added to the number of non-working vehicles during the quarter for each stratum to give the 
total number of active vehicles in each stratum. The grossing factor is then calculated by dividing the 
average number of vehicles in the stratum by the number of active vehicles in the stratum multiplied 
by 13 (13 weeks in the quarter). 

Weighting factor = 

Methodologies used in road freight transport surveys in Member States, EFTA and 
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'13SSNYear of manufactureUnladen weightTaxation useYear of first registrationGrossing upSample selectionBefore 19992–5 tonnesImmaterialImmaterial11‘5–10 tonnesOwn Account‘22‘‘Hire or Reward‘32‘10 tonnes or overOwn Account‘43‘‘Hire or Reward‘531999 to 20032–5 tonnesImmaterial‘64‘5–10 tonnesOwn Account‘75‘‘Hire or Reward‘85‘10 tonnes or overOwn Account‘96‘‘Hire or Reward‘1062004 or later2–5 tonnesImmaterialBefore   2006117‘‘‘2006 or later127‘5–10 tonnesOwn AccountBefore   2006138‘‘‘2006 or later148‘‘Hire or RewardBefore   2006158‘‘‘2006 or later168‘10 tonnes or overOwn AccountBefore   2006179‘‘‘2006 or later189‘‘Hire or RewardBefore   2006199‘‘‘2006 or later209Vehicle characteristicsStratum number 
 
 
 
Methodologies used in surveys of road freight transport in Member States, EFTA and Candidate Countries 

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N = average number of vehicles on register in stratum for quarter (sum of number of vehicles on 
register in a stratum at the beginning and the end of a quarter divided by 2 

S = number of questionnaires used in analysis (in A1 dataset) 

S’ = number of vehicles for which no activity was recorded, but vehicles could be considered as 
active (holiday, no work, etc. 

The following example is from Q4 2013. 

Stratum 7 (Year of Manufacture):  1999–2003 

Unladen Weight: 5 - 10 tonnes 

Taxation Use = Own account / Hire and Reward 

Number of vehicles on register in stratum 7 at beginning of quarter = 3.487 

Number of vehicles on register in stratum 7 at end of quarter = 3.014 

Average number of vehicles on register in stratum 5 for quarter = 3.230 

Total number of active vehicles for which returned received in stratum 7 = 297 

Grossing Factor = (Average number of vehicles on register in stratum 7 for quarter / Total Number of 
active vehicles for which returned received in stratum 7)  x  No. of weeks 

Grossing Factor = (3230/297)*13 = 141.3805 

No calibration is used. 

Optional variables covered: 

  Vehicle empty kilometres 

  Type of cargo 

  Axle configuration 

Additional variables collected compared to the legal requirements: 

Environmental impact-related variables: 

Type of fuel used. No other variable in the present paper questionnaire format due to space issues. 
The CSO will begin work on e-version of the questionnaire in 2015 at which time additional questions 
will be more easily accommodated. 

A1. Vehicle-related variables: 

 

 

 

possibility of using vehicles for combined transport (NO) 

axle configuration according to the nomenclature defined in the Regulation on road 
transport statistics (YES) 

vehicle operator’s NACE Rev. 2 at class level (four-digit level) (NO - 2 digit only) 

A2. Journey-related variables: 

 

 

 

place of loading, if any, of the road transport vehicle on another means of transport 
(YES - at ports) 

place of unloading, if any, of the road transport vehicle from another means of transport 
(YES - at ports) 

situation ‘fully loaded’ (procedure 2) or ‘not fully loaded’ (procedure 1) of the goods road 
transport vehicle during the journey in question, in terms of maximum volume of space 
used during the journey (procedure 0 = by convention for unladen journeys) (NO) 

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Methodologies used in surveys of road freight transport in Member States, EFTA and Candidate Countries 

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A3. Goods-related variables: 

 

type of freight (Cargo types) as defined in the Regulation (NO) 

Methodologies used in road freight transport surveys in Member States, EFTA and 
Candidate Countries 

36 

Main figures20152016Total number of relevant goods vehicles in the country85 95297 510Number of vehicles selected for initial sample and questionnaires dispatched to vehicle owners24 67525 651Number of cases where no vehicle activity was recorded during the sampled period but the vehicle could be considered as part of the active stock6 8855 545Number of cases classified as non-respondents10 52112 091Number of cases where sample register information was wrong and response could not be used735687Number of questionnaires used in analysis6 5347 328More information in Countries Specific Notes(https://circabc.europa.eu/w/browse/9eea25b6-ebf2-4961-aed3-6ab27fb95b74) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Methodologies used in surveys of road freight transport in Member States, EFTA and Candidate Countries 

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Greece 

Organisation responsible for the conducting the survey: 

Hellenic Statistical Authority 

(Based on information referring to the first quarter of 2017) 

Sampling register used for the survey 

Name of register: 

Vehicle Register 

Name of organisation who maintains the register: 

Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport 

Frequency of update: 

Continuous 

Frequency of access to draw the samples: 

Once a year 

Arrangements for accessing the register: 

Once in a year, according to the stratification plan of the sample, a copy of the circulating goods road 
motor vehicles on 31st December is obtained from the Ministry of Infrastructure, Transport and 
Networks. 

Information obtained from the register: 

Name, address, use of vehicle, maximum permissible laden weight, load capacity, type of vehicle, 
type of body, axles, year of national registration and registration number. 

The same register is used for the vehicles performing international transport and the data are 
updated with information from previous surveys. 

Procedure for reminders: 

The survey is conducted through interviewers who are entrusted with the task to contact the vehicle 
owner until the end of the survey’s collection phase. 

The efforts are focused on the improvement of the information of the register (as regards contact 
details) and the monitoring of the work of the interviewers. The percentage of filled-in questionnaires 
is currently higher than any other quarter. 

Sampling methodology 

Statistical unit: 

Tractive vehicle 

Types of units excluded: 

Vehicles with road capacity less than 3.5 tonnes and less than 6 tonnes of maximum permissible 
weight, military vehicles, vehicles of public administration and agricultural tractors. 

Methodologies used in road freight transport surveys in Member States, EFTA and 
Candidate Countries 

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Methodologies used in surveys of road freight transport in Member States, EFTA and Candidate Countries 

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Time unit: 

1 week 

Time units of quarter 1 of 2017 included in the survey: 

All (13 weeks) 

Stratification: 

The following information concerning stratification variables and codes used is provided. 

Firstly the vehicles are separated in (by estimation): 

1. 

2. 

Those conducting national journeys 

Those conducting international journeys 

For vehicles conducting national journeys, the strata are defined by: 

1. 

The geographical division (NUTS 1) 

1. VOREIA ELLADA (North Greece) 

2. KENTRIKI ELLADA (Central Greece) 

3. ATTIKI (Attica) 

4. NISIA AIGAIOU, KRITI (Aegean Islands and Crete) 

2. 
public use): 

The use of the vehicle (in Greece a vehicle can have a permission for private or 

1. Hire or Reward (Public use) 

2. On Own Account (Private use) 

3. 

The type of the vehicle 

1. Lorries with load capacity 3.5 - 7.9 tonnes 

2. Lorries with load capacity 8 - 12.9 tonnes 

3. Lorries with load capacity greater than 13 tonnes 

4. Tank-trucks and lorries with specific ‘body’ 

5. Tractors 

For vehicles conducting international journeys, the strata are also defined by the geographical 
division (NUTS 1). Note that for those vehicles, the type of the truck is coded as 6. 

As the vehicles of a large company (operating on a 24/7 basis) had a significant impact on the 
results, a new stratum was created (coded as 7) and is surveyed exhaustively. The data of this 
stratum are treated as confidential. 

Recording of journey data sent to Eurostat: 

Single stop: Respondents can record only one type of goods, i.e. goods of largest weight. If no type 
of goods is dominant then ‘miscellaneous’ is used. 

Multi stop: Multi-stop journeys are coded by consignments. 

Collection/delivery: For short distance journeys of type 3 (collection/delivery) with more than five 
points of loading and/or unloading, the respondent is not asked for the details of all the stops, but is 
asked about the number of stops, the distance travelled loaded and the distance travelled unloaded, 
the total weight transported and the main type of good (as in type 1). 

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Methodologies used in surveys of road freight transport in Member States, EFTA and Candidate Countries 

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Calculation of weighting factors: 

Weighting factor = 

N = number of vehicles in the register (in a stratum) 

S = number of questionnaires used in analysis (in A1 dataset) 

S’ = number of vehicles for which no activity was recorded, but vehicles could be considered as 
active (holiday, no work, etc.) 

Optional variables covered: 

  Vehicle empty kilometres 

  Type of cargo 

  Vehicle operator’s NACE category of activity 

  Axle configuration 

  Degree of loading of the vehicle 

  Possibility of using vehicles for combined transport 

Additional variables collected compared to the legal requirements: 

Environmental impact-related variables: 

Information on type of fuel and fuel consumption could be provided in the future but it should be 
considered as core variable in order to be collected. 

A1. Vehicle-related variables: 

 

 

 

possibility of using vehicles for combined transport (YES) 

axle configuration according to the nomenclature defined in the Regulation on road 
transport statistics (YES) 

vehicle operator’s NACE Rev. 2 at class level (four-digit level) (YES) 

A2. Journey-related variables: 

 

 

 

place of loading, if any, of the road transport vehicle on another means of transport 
(YES) 

place of unloading, if any, of the road transport vehicle from another means of transport 
(YES) 

situation ‘fully loaded’ (procedure 2) or ‘not fully loaded’ (procedure 1) of the goods road 
transport vehicle during the journey in question, in terms of maximum volume of space 
used during the journey (procedure 0 = by convention for unladen journeys) (YES) 

A3. Goods-related variables: 

 

type of freight (Cargo types) as defined in the Regulation (YES) 

Methodologies used in road freight transport surveys in Member States, EFTA and 
Candidate Countries 

39 

'13SSN 
 
 
Methodologies used in surveys of road freight transport in Member States, EFTA and Candidate Countries 

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Other methodological changes introduced since the last publication of the ‘Methodologies 
used in surveys of road freight transport in Member States and Candidate Countries’ (Edition 
2014) 

In 2016 it was observed that a large company operated on a 24/7 basis and this had a significant 
impact on the results (in terms of weight). The vehicles of the company in question have currently 
been included in a separate stratum and are surveyed exhaustively over the year. The sampling 
frame is also reformed and efforts are made in order to define the Nint. A complementary 
questionnaire will be used to track down the vehicles in international transport. 

Methodologies used in road freight transport surveys in Member States, EFTA and 
Candidate Countries 

40 

Main figures20152016Total number of relevant goods vehicles in the country115 403105 942Number of vehicles selected for initial sample and questionnaires dispatched to vehicle owners6 1456 360Number of cases where no vehicle activity was recorded during the sampled period but the vehicle could be considered as part of the active stock873810Number of cases classified as non-respondents954505Number of cases where sample register information was wrong and response could not be used1 1631 628Number of questionnaires used in analysis3 1553 417More information in Countries Specific Notes(https://circabc.europa.eu/w/browse/9eea25b6-ebf2-4961-aed3-6ab27fb95b74) 
 
 
 
 
 
Methodologies used in surveys of road freight transport in Member States, EFTA and Candidate Countries 

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Spain 

Organisation responsible for the conducting the survey: 

Ministry of Public Works and Transport 

(Based on information referring to the first quarter of 2017) 

Sampling register used for the survey 

Name of register: 

Registro de Ordenación del Transporte Terrestre 

Name of organisation who maintains the register: 

Ministry of Public Works and Transport 

Frequency of update: 

Continuously 

Frequency of access to draw the samples: 

Once a month 

Arrangements for accessing the register: 

The register belongs to the Ministry 

Information obtained from the register: 

Name, registration number, address, type of vehicle, type of transport (own account or hire or 
reward), range of authorisation of action of the vehicle (local, national, international), year of 
registration, load capacity and maximum permissible weight, region (Autonomous Community) where 
the vehicle is registered. 

Used in stratification: Type of transport, region (Autonomous Community) where the vehicle is 
registered, load capacity and type of vehicle. 

Procedure for reminders: 

During the week of reference and the following four weeks, daily phone calls are made. During this 
period, if the company is not found, new addresses and telephone numbers of the companies are 
looked for. 

Sampling methodology 

Statistical unit: 

Tractive vehicle 

Types of units excluded: 

'Light' transport vehicles: less than 3.5 tonnes weight capacity and less than 6 tonnes of maximum 
permissible weight 

Special vehicles with very high weight capacity or dimensions, which need a special registration 
number. 

Military vehicles and those belonging to Public Administrations. 

Methodologies used in road freight transport surveys in Member States, EFTA and 
Candidate Countries 

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Methodologies used in surveys of road freight transport in Member States, EFTA and Candidate Countries 

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Vehicles whose use is not for transport of goods: excavators, rollers, etc. 

Time unit: 

1 week 

Time units of quarter 1 of 2017 included in the survey: 

All (13 weeks) 

Stratification:  

There are 10 strata (in proportion to the frame): 

  Type of transport:  

1: own account 

2: hire or reward 

  Type of vehicle and weight capacity:  

1: lorries of 3.6 to 10 tonnes 

2: lorries of 10.1 to 13.5 tonnes 

3: lorries of over 13.5 tonnes 

4: tractors 

  Region (Autonomous Community) where the vehicle is registered 

1: Islas Canarias 

2: Remaining regions 

Recording of weight of goods: 

When possible, the weight of containers is excluded, but in most cases the informant only knows the 
total weight carried. The weight of goods rarely excludes swap bodies and pallets.  

Recording of journey data sent to Eurostat: 

Multi stop: Multi-stop journeys are coded as consignments. 

Collection/delivery: Without points of loading and/or unloading of the goods,  

Tonne-kilometres = maximum tonnes * kilometres / 2. 

Only the main type of goods is requested (but all tonnes). 

Calculation of weighting factors: 

Weighting factor = 

Methodologies used in road freight transport surveys in Member States, EFTA and 
Candidate Countries 

42 

TSSN'13CodeType of transportRegion where the vehicle is registeredType of vehicle and weight capacity1Hire and rewardAll, except Islas Canarias3.5 – 10 tonnes2Hire and rewardAll, except Islas Canarias10.1 – 13.5 tonnes3Hire and rewardAll, except Islas Canarias+ 13.5 tonnes4Hire and rewardAll, except Islas CanariasTractors5Own accountAll, except Islas Canarias3.5 – 10 tonnes6Own accountAll, except Islas Canarias10.1 – 13.5 tonnes7Own accountAll, except Islas Canarias+ 13.5 tonnes8Own accountAll, except Islas CanariasTractors9Hire and rewardIslas CanariasAll10Own accountIslas CanariasAll 
 
 
 
Methodologies used in surveys of road freight transport in Member States, EFTA and Candidate Countries 

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N = number of vehicles in the register (in a stratum) 

S = number of questionnaires used in analysis (in A1 dataset) 

S’ = number of vehicles for which no activity was recorded, but vehicles could be considered as 
active (holiday, no work, etc.) 

T = number of weeks in the month 

Optional variables covered: 

  Vehicle empty kilometres 

  Type of cargo 

  Vehicle operator’s NACE category of activity 

  Axle configuration 

  Degree of loading of the vehicle 

Additional variables collected compared to the legal requirements: 

Environmental impact-related variables: none 

A1. Vehicle-related variables: 

 

 

 

possibility of using vehicles for combined transport (NO) 

axle configuration according to the nomenclature defined in the Regulation on road 
transport statistics (YES) 

vehicle operator’s NACE Rev. 2 at class level (four-digit level) (YES) 

A2. Journey-related variables: 

 

 

 

place of loading, if any, of the road transport vehicle on another means of transport 
(YES) 

place of unloading, if any, of the road transport vehicle from another means of transport 
(YES) 

situation ‘fully loaded’ (procedure 2) or ‘not fully loaded’ (procedure 1) of the goods road 
transport vehicle during the journey in question, in terms of maximum volume of space 
used during the journey (procedure 0 = by convention for unladen journeys) (YES) 

A3. Goods-related variables: 

 

type of freight (Cargo types) as defined in the Regulation (YES) 

Methodologies used in road freight transport surveys in Member States, EFTA and 
Candidate Countries 

43 

Main figures20152016Total number of relevant goods vehicles in the country308 498318 660Number of vehicles selected for initial sample and questionnaires dispatched to vehicle owners56 00056 000Number of cases where no vehicle activity was recorded during the sampled period but the vehicle could be considered as part of the active stock9 38410 096Number of cases classified as non-respondents2 4231 847Number of cases where sample register information was wrong and response could not be used16 06616 593Number of questionnaires used in analysis28 12727 464More information in Countries Specific Notes(https://circabc.europa.eu/w/browse/9eea25b6-ebf2-4961-aed3-6ab27fb95b74) 
 
 
 
 
 
Methodologies used in surveys of road freight transport in Member States, EFTA and Candidate Countries 

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France 

Organisation responsible for the conducting the survey: 

Ministry for the ecological and Inclusive Transition (ONA) 

(Based on information referring to the first quarter of 2017) 

Sampling register used for the survey 

Name of register: 

National vehicle register (Répertoire statistique des véhicules routiers) 

Name of organisation who maintains the register: 

Ministry for the ecological and Inclusive Transition (ONA) 

Frequency of update: 

The national register is updated daily. The sampling frame is updated quarterly 

Frequency of access to draw the samples: 

Quarterly 

Arrangements for accessing the register: 

The data are forwarded by the ministry daily. 

Information obtained from the register: 

Name and address of the owner, SIREN number of the register of enterprises, type of vehicle, load 
capacity, maximum permissible weight, type of body, year of registration, main activity of the 
enterprise, belonging of the enterprise to the register of transporters for hire and reward and 
administrative region (code NUTS2). 

Used in stratification: Type of vehicle, load capacity, maximum permissible weight, type of body, year 
of registration, main activity of the enterprise, belonging of the enterprise to the register of 
transporters for hire and reward and administrative region (code NUTS2). 

Procedure for reminders: 

First reminder: 4 weeks after the surveyed week 

Second reminder: 7 weeks after the surveyed week, with a new copy of the questionnaire sent out 

Non-response report: 12 weeks after the surveyed week 

Contentious: every year in February, addressed to enterprises with over ten questionnaires not 
answered in the previous year. 

Sampling methodology 

Statistical unit: 

Tractive vehicle 

Types of units excluded: 

Motor vehicles more than 15 years old. 

Lorries exceeding 32.5 tonnes of load capacity (44.5 tonnes for road tractors). 

Methodologies used in road freight transport surveys in Member States, EFTA and 
Candidate Countries 

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Methodologies used in surveys of road freight transport in Member States, EFTA and Candidate Countries 

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Vehicles with less than 3.5 tonnes of gross vehicle weight. 

Special purpose road vehicles such as garbage trucks, fire brigade vehicles, ambulances, cranes, as 
well as military vehicles and vehicles belonging to owners involved in activities such as driving 
schools, fairgrounds, etc. 

Time unit: 

1 week 

Time unit of quarter 1 of 2017 included in the survey: 

All (13 weeks) 

Stratification: 

Since July 2001, sampling is carried out according to the method of ‘unequal probabilities’. This 
leads to a large extent of stratification, and the resulting data are thus difficult to define and describe. 

The variables used for stratification are: technical details relating to the vehicle, such as category 
(lorry or road tractor), load capacity, maximum permissible laden weight, year of registration, main 
activity of the enterprise to which the vehicle belongs, membership of the enterprise to the register of 
transporters for hire and reward, administrative region (code NUTS2) and type of body of the vehicle. 

The sample is rotated on two years: half of the sample is renewed on the following year. Therefore, 
every vehicle is sampled twice: the sampling week allocated to it, and the same week the following 
year. 

Recording of weight of goods: 

Gross weight of goods is collected, i.e. containers swap bodies and pallets are excluded. 

Recording journey data sent to Eurostat: 

Multi stop: Multi-stop journeys are coded as consignments. 

Collection/delivery: In the recording of type 3, we describe one basic transport operation with the 
total weight of goods (A3.2 in table A3) and the total length of the journey (A3.7 in table A3). To 
calculate the number of tonne-kilometres, we multiply the total weight of goods by the total length of 
the journey and divide the result by 2, which gives the same result as if the vehicle had been 
unloading uniformly throughout the journey. 

Calculation of weighting factors: 

Calmar calibration method is used since 2001. 

Calmar is a SAS macro program that implements the calibration methods. The program adjusts 
samples, through reweighting of individuals, using auxiliary information available from a number of 
variables referred to as calibration variables. The weights produced by this method are used to 
calibrate the sample on known population totals in the case of quantitative variables and on known 
category frequencies in the case of qualitative variables. 

Calmar is an acronym for CALibration on MARgins, an adjustment technique which adjusts the 
margins (estimated from a sample) of a contingency table of two or more qualitative variables to the 
known population margins. However, the program is more general than mere ‘calibration on 
margins,’ since it also calibrates on the totals of quantitative variables. 

Weighting factors for each vehicle k, wk =  

uk = 1 for vehicles > 15 years, 2 for vehicles from 11 to15 years, 3 for vehicles from 6 to 10 years, 6 
for vehicles from 0 to 5 years 

Methodologies used in road freight transport surveys in Member States, EFTA and 
Candidate Countries 

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kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkvucNvucnNvucvucn11 
 
 
Methodologies used in surveys of road freight transport in Member States, EFTA and Candidate Countries 

I 

ck = 0.5 x MPLW / 10 for lorries 

    = (MPLW - 6) * 0.88 / 10 for road tractors 

vk = 1 by default, 1.5 for vehicles belonging to transport enterprises, 2 for removal vehicles, vehicles 
carrying dangerous goods or belonging to international transport enterprises.   

N is total population and n the size of the sample. 

Optional variables covered: 

  Vehicle empty kilometres 

  Type of cargo 

  Vehicle operator’s NACE category of activity 

  Axle configuration 

  Degree of loading of the vehicle 

Additional variables collected compared to the legal requirements: 

Environmental impact-related variables: 

Average fuel consumption per 100 km. 

A1. Vehicle-related variables: 

 

 

 

possibility of using vehicles for combined transport (NO) 

axle configuration according to the nomenclature defined in the Regulation on road 
transport statistics (YES) 

vehicle operator’s NACE Rev. 2 at class level (four-digit level) (YES) 

A2. Journey-related variables: 

 

 

 

place of loading, if any, of the road transport vehicle on another means of transport  
(YES) 

place of unloading, if any, of the road transport vehicle from another means of transport   
(YES) 

situation ‘fully loaded’ (procedure 2) or ‘not fully loaded’ (procedure 1) of the goods road 
transport vehicle during the journey in question, in terms of maximum volume of space 
used during the journey (procedure 0 = by convention for unladen journeys) (NO) 

A3. Goods-related variables: 

 

type of freight (Cargo types) as defined in the Regulation (YES) 

Methodologies used in road freight transport surveys in Member States, EFTA and 
Candidate Countries 

46 

Main figures20152016Total number of relevant goods vehicles in the country531 932547 116Number of vehicles selected for initial sample and questionnaires dispatched to vehicle owners78 32978 159Number of cases where no vehicle activity was recorded during the sampled period but the vehicle could be considered as part of the active stock12 95112 651Number of cases classified as non-respondents14 80916 075Number of cases where sample register information was wrong and response could not be used15 12714 770Number of questionnaires used in analysis35 44234 663More information in Countries Specific Notes(https://circabc.europa.eu/w/browse/9eea25b6-ebf2-4961-aed3-6ab27fb95b74) 
 
 
 
 
 
Methodologies used in surveys of road freight transport in Member States, EFTA and Candidate Countries 

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Croatia 

Organisation responsible for the conducting the survey: 

Croatian Bureau of Statistics 

(Based on information referring to the first quarter of 2017) 

Sampling register used for the survey 

Name of register: 

Database of registered road motor vehicles 

Name of organisation who maintains the register: 

Ministry of Interior 

Frequency of update: 

Continuously 

Frequency of access to draw the samples: 

Once a quarter 

Arrangements for accessing the register: 

Bilateral agreement between the Central Bureau of Statistics and the Ministry of the Interior for 
providing statistical information. 

Ministry of Interior transmits part of the register with all motor goods vehicles once a quarter in 
compliance with the Annual Implementation Plan of Statistical Activities. After receiving the data on 
registered vehicles, the Department for Programming creates a database with necessary data and 
then match the data with the Statistical Business Register and other consulting databases in order to 
take over addresses and other data on vehicles owners and their activity. 

Information obtained from the register: 

Database of registered road motor vehicles: registration mark, type of vehicle, body type, main use of 
vehicle, mark of vehicle, made in year, load capacity, maximum permissible weight, name and 
address of owner of vehicle, number of axles, type of the owner 

Statistical Business Register: main activity of the operator. 

Used in stratification: load capacity. 

Procedure for reminders: 

First reminder: sent 10 days after the end of reference period, questionnaire and instructions are sent 
again. 

Second reminder: 18 days after the end of reference period non-respondents are reminded by 
phone. 

We are planning to use a web-based questionnaire and thus improve the response rate. 

Sampling methodology 

Statistical unit: 

Tractive vehicle 

Methodologies used in road freight transport surveys in Member States, EFTA and 
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Methodologies used in surveys of road freight transport in Member States, EFTA and Candidate Countries 

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Types of units excluded: 

Agricultural vehicles, military and public service vehicles and special purpose vehicle such as truck 
cranes, fire-engine vehicles, road maintenance vehicles and other special purpose vehicles. 

Vehicles with load capacity less than 3.5 tonnes. 

Time unit: 

1 week 

Time unit of quarter 1 of 2017 included in the survey: 

All (13 weeks) 

Stratification: 

The sample for each stratum was chosen by a systematic random method. The systematic selection 
made it possible to do the implicit stratification by county and type of owner (tradesmen, enterprises). 
Moreover, in that way it was also possible to achieve a better geographical dissemination of the 
sample. The unbiased Horvitz-Thompson assessor was used in the method. 

1 – 3.50 - 4.99 tonnes of load capacity 

2 – 5.00 - 9.99 tonnes of load capacity 

3 – 10.00 - 11.99 tonnes of load capacity 

4 – 12.00 - 14.99 tonnes of load capacity 

5 – 15.00 and over tonnes of load capacity 

6 – road tractors 

Recording of weight of goods: 

Gross weight of goods is collected, i.e. containers, swap bodies and pallets are excluded.  

Recording of journey data sent to Eurostat: 

Single stop: In case of carrying more than one type of goods, respondents can record only the type 
of good with the largest weight. 

Multi stop: recorded by vertical stages. In case of carrying more than one type of good, respondents 
can record only the type of goods with the largest weight. Multi-stop journeys are recorded only for 
national transport. 

Collection/delivery: In case of carrying more than one type of goods, respondents can record only the 
type of good with the largest weight. Collection/delivery journeys are recorded only for national 
transport. 

Calculation of weighting factors: 

Weighting factor = 

N = number of vehicles in the register (in a stratum) 

S = number of questionnaires used in analysis (in A1 dataset) 

S’= number of vehicles for which no activity was recorded, but vehicles could be considered as active 
(holiday, no work, etc.), scrapped, final or temporally out of operation, not performing transport 
activity anymore. 

Optional variables covered: 

  Vehicle empty kilometres 

  Type of cargo 

Methodologies used in road freight transport surveys in Member States, EFTA and 
Candidate Countries 

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'13SSN 
 
 
Methodologies used in surveys of road freight transport in Member States, EFTA and Candidate Countries 

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  Vehicle operator’s NACE category of activity 

  Axle configuration 

  Degree of loading of the vehicle 

  Possibility of using vehicles for combined transport 

Additional variables collected compared to the legal requirements: 

Environmental impact related variables: 

Fuel purchased. 

A1. Vehicle-related variables: none 

A2. Journey-related variables: none 

A3. Goods-related variables: none 

Methodologies used in road freight transport surveys in Member States, EFTA and 
Candidate Countries 

49 

Main figures20152016Total number of relevant goods vehicles in the country25 72926 992Number of vehicles selected for initial sample and questionnaires dispatched to vehicle owners10 40010 400Number of cases where no vehicle activity was recorded during the sampled period but the vehicle could be considered as part of the active stock2 3762 543Number of cases classified as non-respondents2 2631 999Number of cases where sample register information was wrong and response could not be used882790Number of questionnaires used in analysis4 8795 066More information in Countries Specific Notes(https://circabc.europa.eu/w/browse/9eea25b6-ebf2-4961-aed3-6ab27fb95b74) 
 
 
 
 
 
Methodologies used in surveys of road freight transport in Member States, EFTA and Candidate Countries 

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Italy 

Organisation responsible for the conducting the survey: 

National Statistical Institute (ISTAT) 

(Based on information referring to the first quarter of 2017) 

Sampling register used for the survey 

Name of register: 

National Vehicle Register; Tax Register and Road freight survey register 

Name of organisation who maintains the register: 

Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Finance and ISTAT 

Frequency of update: 

Quarterly, except Road freight survey register yearly (30/09 of the previous year). 

Frequency of access to draw the samples: 

Once a year 

Arrangements for accessing the register: 

The owners of the two registers provide a release of the two databases at the end of each quarter of 
the year. The databases updated at 30/09/2016 are used as input of a procedure, which final output 
is the ‘Road freight survey register’ to be used for the 2017 road freight survey. 

Information obtained from the register: 

The ‘Road freight survey register’ is a database in which each record contains data related to a road 
freight transport vehicle (trailers and semi-trailers are not included), identified by its license-plate 
number. It is the sampling frame of the survey. The register is updated yearly using data in the 
‘National vehicle register’ (basically technical data concerning the vehicle) and in the ‘Tax register’ 
(basically administrative data concerning the enterprise owning the vehicle), and pieces of 
information gathered from other sources (National enterprise register, data collected in the previous 
replies of the survey). The variables gathered from the ‘National vehicle register’ are: name of the 
enterprise (user of the vehicle, owned or leased), address of the enterprise, VAT number, license 
plate number, place in which the plate was registered, load capacity, maximum permissible laden 
weight, year of first registration, number of axles of the motor vehicle, type of vehicle, type of body, 
type of transport (hire and reward/own account). The variables gathered from the ‘Tax register’ are 
basically administrative information concerning legal status of the enterprise. The ‘Tax register’ is 
also used to complete information about technical data if missing or found not reliable in the ‘National 
vehicle register’. 

The variables used in the stratification are: 

  Place of registration (18 regions at NUTS2 level; 6 provinces at NUTS3 level); 

  Type of transport (hire and reward/own account); 

 

Load capacity class (5 classes). 

Procedure for reminders: 

Spot actions for reminders were undertaken in 2011 and 2012. Studies for implementing standard 
routine of reminders are under way. 

Starting with 2012, a fine is applied to non-respondents. 

Methodologies used in road freight transport surveys in Member States, EFTA and 
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50 

 
 
 
Methodologies used in surveys of road freight transport in Member States, EFTA and Candidate Countries 

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Sampling methodology 

Statistical unit: 

Tractive vehicle 

Types of units excluded: 

Agricultural vehicles, military vehicles, vehicles belonging to central or local public administrations; 

All road transport vehicles with a load capacity < 3.5 tonnes; 

All road transport vehicles more than 11 old (from first registration); 

Vehicles with technical characteristics not specifically designed for the transport of goods. 

Data of performance for the vehicles with a load capacity <3.5 tonnes and other vehicles excluded 
are not available. 

Vehicle-km data could be obtained from odometer reading within roadworthiness mandatory 
procedures but data collection has not been implemented or studied yet. 

Time unit: 

1 week 

Time unit of quarter 1 of 2017 included in the survey: 

All (13 weeks) 

Stratification: 

The overall sample size (year 2017) is 42 529 road transport vehicles. 

The sample is stratified according to three criteria: place of first registration, type of transport and 
load capacity. 

Place of first registration: This variable refers to the regions, however in order to allow exhaustive 
studies on traffic within administrative units, the survey manager can design sub-strata at NUTS 3 
level; these strata have a ‘P’ in the first digit. 

Type of transport 

  Hire or reward = T 

  Own account = P 

Load capacity (5 categories) 

 

1 = from 3.5 to 4.9 tonnes 

Methodologies used in road freight transport surveys in Member States, EFTA and 
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PiemonteR001Marche - Ascoli PicenoP044Valle d’AostaR002LazioR012LombardiaR003AbruzzoR013VenetoR005MoliseR014Friuli Venezia GiuliaR006CampaniaR015LiguriaR007PugliaR016Emilia RomagnaR008BasilicataR017ToscanaR009CalabriaR018UmbriaR010SiciliaR019Marche -Pesaro -UrbinoP041SardegnaR020Marche - AnconaP042Provincia di TrentoP022Marche -MacerataP043Provincia di BolzanoP023 
 
 
 
Methodologies used in surveys of road freight transport in Member States, EFTA and Candidate Countries 

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 

 

 

 

2 = from 5 to 9.9 tonnes 

3 = from 10 to 12.4 tonnes 

4 = from 12.5 to 14.9 tonnes 

5 = over 14.9 tonnes 

Example: stratum coded R001T1; the vehicles included in this stratum were registered in Piemonte, 
the owner are enterprises which operates on hire or reward and belong to the first class of load 
capacity. 

Recording of weight of goods: 

Gross-gross weight of goods is collected, i.e. containers swap bodies and pallets are included. 

We report the gross-gross weight only for the weight of goods loaded in container or swap body. 

Recording journey data sent to Eurostat: 

Single stop and multi stop: The questionnaire is specifically designed to collect information on three 
type of goods carried both for type 1 and 2 journeys. 

Collection/delivery: In the recording of type 3 journeys only the main type of goods is requested; it is 
assumed that the type3 journeys report only national journeys. 

Calculation of weighting factors: 

Weighting factor = 

N = number of vehicles in the register (in a stratum) 

S = number of questionnaires used in analysis (in A1 dataset) 

S’ = number of vehicles for which no activity was recorded, but vehicles could be considered as 
active (holiday, no work, etc.) 

Optional variables covered: 

None 

Additional variables collected compared to the legal requirements: 

Environmental impact-related variables: 

Data on weekly fuel consumption. 

A1. Vehicle-related variables: 

 

 

 

possibility of using vehicles for combined transport (NO) 

axle configuration according to the nomenclature defined in the Regulation on road 
transport statistics (NO) 

vehicle operator’s NACE Rev. 2 at class level (four-digit level) (possible but difficult to 
achieve in the short term) 

A2. Journey-related variables: 

 

 

 

place of loading, if any, of the road transport vehicle on another means of transport (NO) 

place of unloading, if any, of the road transport vehicle from another means of transport 
(NO) 

situation ‘fully loaded’ (procedure 2) or ‘not fully loaded’ (procedure 1) of the goods road 
transport vehicle during the journey in question, in terms of maximum volume of space 
used during the journey (procedure 0 = by convention for unladen journeys) (NO) 

Methodologies used in road freight transport surveys in Member States, EFTA and 
Candidate Countries 

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'13SSN 
 
 
 
 
Methodologies used in surveys of road freight transport in Member States, EFTA and Candidate Countries 

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A3. Goods-related variables: 

 

type of freight (Cargo types) as defined in the Regulation (YES) 

Methodologies used in road freight transport surveys in Member States, EFTA and 
Candidate Countries 

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Main figures20152016Total number of relevant goods vehicles in the country214 711202 552Number of vehicles selected for initial sample and questionnaires dispatched to vehicle owners47 26744 356Number of cases where no vehicle activity was recorded during the sampled period but the vehicle could be considered as part of the active stock3 3403 059Number of cases classified as non-respondents27 74327 817Number of cases where sample register information was wrong and response could not be used4 3622 046Number of questionnaires used in analysis11 82011 434More information in Countries Specific Notes(https://circabc.europa.eu/w/browse/9eea25b6-ebf2-4961-aed3-6ab27fb95b74) 
 
 
 
 
Methodologies used in surveys of road freight transport in Member States, EFTA and Candidate Countries 

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Cyprus 

Organisation responsible for the conducting the survey: 

Statistical Service of Cyprus (CYSTAT) 

(Based on information referring to the first quarter of 2017) 

Sampling register used for the survey 

Name of register: 

Road Vehicle Register 

Name of organisation who maintains the register: 

Road Transport Department 

Frequency of update: 

Yearly 

Frequency of access to draw the samples: 

Quarterly 

Arrangements for accessing the register: 

Very good co-operation of the Statistical service with the Road Transport Department (Ministry of 
Communication and Works). 

Information obtained from the register: 

Category of vehicle (Hire or Reward and Own account), gross vehicle weight and load capacity of the 
vehicle. 

Procedure for reminders: 

The major part of the survey is conducted by telephone and a few cases by personal visits. The 
response rate is considered as adequate and reaches 95 % of the sample. 

Sampling methodology 

Statistical unit: 

Tractive vehicle 

Types of units excluded: 

Vehicles with load capacity less than 3 tonnes. 

Time unit: 

1 Week 

Time units of quarter 1 of 2017 included in the survey: 

All (13 weeks) 

Stratification: 

A total of 1612 vehicles (Lorries and Road Tractors) are surveyed. The sample is distributed in all 
weeks (31 vehicles per week). The sample consists of 9 categories (stratum) according to the load 

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Methodologies used in surveys of road freight transport in Member States, EFTA and Candidate Countries 

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capacity of the vehicle and the type of transport (Hire or reward and own account). 

Recording of weight of goods: 

Gross-gross weight of goods is collected, i.e. containers swap bodies and pallets are included. 

Recording of journey data sent to Eurostat: 

Single stop: Only the commodity with the highest weight is taken into account. 

Multi stop: For the calculation of tonnes-kilometres the sum of weight received plus the weight 
delivered multiplied by the distance covered is divided by 1 500. 

Collection/delivery: For the calculation of tonnes-kilometres the sum of weight received plus the 
weight delivered multiplied by the distance covered is divided by 2000. 

Calculation of weighting factors: 

Weighting factor = 

N = number of vehicles in the register (in a stratum) 

Q = number of questionnaire completed 

Optional variables covered: 

  Vehicle empty kilometres 

  Type of cargo 

  Vehicle operator’s NACE category of activity 

  Axle configuration 

  Degree of loading of the vehicle 

Additional variables collected compared to the legal requirements: 

Environmental impact-related variables: 

Type of fuel used and fuel consumption. 

A1. Vehicle-related variables: 

 

 

 

possibility of using vehicles for combined transport (NO) 

axle configuration according to the nomenclature defined in the Regulation on road 
transport statistics (YES) 

vehicle operator’s NACE Rev. 2 at class level (four-digit level) (NO) 

A2. Journey-related variables: 

 

 

 

place of loading, if any, of the road transport vehicle on another means of transport (NO) 

place of unloading, if any, of the road transport vehicle from another means of transport 
(NO) 

situation ‘fully loaded’ (procedure 2) or ‘not fully loaded’ (procedure 1) of the goods road 
transport vehicle during the journey in question, in terms of maximum volume of space 
used during the journey (procedure 0 = by convention for unladen journeys) (YES) 

A3. Goods-related variables: 

 

type of freight (Cargo types) as defined in the Regulation (YES) 

Methodologies used in road freight transport surveys in Member States, EFTA and 
Candidate Countries 

55 

QN13 
 
 
Methodologies used in surveys of road freight transport in Member States, EFTA and Candidate Countries 

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Methodologies used in road freight transport surveys in Member States, EFTA and 
Candidate Countries 

56 

Main figures20152016Total number of relevant goods vehicles in the country12 46612 522Number of vehicles selected for initial sample and questionnaires dispatched to vehicle owners1 6121 612Number of cases where no vehicle activity was recorded during the sampled period but the vehicle could be considered as part of the active stock682598Number of cases classified as non-respondents105108Number of cases where sample register information was wrong and response could not be used9394Number of questionnaires used in analysis732812More information in Countries Specific Notes(https://circabc.europa.eu/w/browse/9eea25b6-ebf2-4961-aed3-6ab27fb95b74) 
 
 
 
 
 
Methodologies used in surveys of road freight transport in Member States, EFTA and Candidate Countries 

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Latvia 

Organisation responsible for the conducting the survey: 

Central Statistical Bureau 

(Based on information referring to the first quarter of 2017) 

Sampling register used for the survey 

Name of register: 

1) Register of road transport vehicles 

2) Register of vehicles 

Name of organisation who maintains the register: 

1) Road Traffic Safety Directorate 

2) Road Transport Administration 

Frequency of update: 

Monthly 

Frequency of access to draw the samples: 

Once a month 

Arrangements for accessing the register: 

CSB has access to extract information from the Register of road transport vehicles. This part of the 
Register contains information on transport vehicles which owned by natural or legal persons and 
which at the moment of sample formation had passed the yearly technical inspection and could be 
legally operated. 

Information obtained from the register: 

1) Made; model; registration number; vehicle ID number; legal (enterprise) or private person; 
enterprise VAT number or personal code; enterprise actual NACE code; self-weight, load capacity; 
road tractor or not; body type; year of production; name of owner (legal i.e. enterprise or private 
person); address of owner; mark about leasing and address of leaseholder. 

2) Authorisation to carry out transport for hire or reward and international freight transport – 
dangerous goods transported. 

Used for stratification: load capacity, year of production and name of owner. 

Procedure for reminders: 

First reminder: 19 days after the survey week another copy of the questionnaire is sent to the 
respondent  

Second reminder: After 4 weeks, another reminder letter is sent to the respondent. 

Total response rate in 2016 was 76.5 %. For the first quarter 2017 the response rate was 75.2 %. 

Methodologies used in road freight transport surveys in Member States, EFTA and 
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Methodologies used in surveys of road freight transport in Member States, EFTA and Candidate Countries 

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Sampling methodology 

Statistical unit: 

Tractive vehicle 

Types of units excluded: 

Special purpose vehicles such as truck cranes, fire-fighters vehicles, platform lorries, road 
maintenance vehicles, border guards’ vehicles and other special purpose vehicles. 

Vehicles older than 25 years. 

Vehicles with maximum permissible laden weight less than 3.5 tonnes. 

Starting with 2017, special concrete mixers are included in the survey in the list of special lorries. 

Time unit: 

1 week 

Time units of quarter 1 of 2017 included in the survey: 

All (13 weeks) 

Stratification: 

The sample for one month (5 weeks within the first month of each quarter and 4 weeks within the 
second and third month of each quarter) is obtained using a single stage stratified systematic 
sampling. 

The vehicles selected in sample for one month will be not sampled for six, nine or twelve sequence 
months, in order to reduce the workload for respondents. 

For the estimation of averages, totals, ratios and percentages the so-called Horvitz-Thompson 
estimator is used. It means that the probability for each vehicle to be included into the sample must 
be calculated. 

For every survey month the inclusion probability of a vehicle in the sample is calculated as a ratio 
between the number of vehicles that were included in the sample and did respond and the total 
number of vehicles in the stratum, i.e., the number of vehicles that had valid technical examination 
certificates in the survey month. This means that within each stratum the responding vehicles 
represent the non-responding ones of the same stratum, too. 

The estimates of totals and means are obtained first for each survey month and each stratum 
separately. The estimates of population totals and population means (or domain totals and domain 
means) are obtained by summing up or calculating the weighted sum over all strata and over all 
survey months of the corresponding strata estimates. 

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Methodologies used in surveys of road freight transport in Member States, EFTA and Candidate Countries 

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Recording of weight of goods: 

Gross weight of goods is collected, i.e. containers swap bodies and pallets are excluded. 

Estimation of maximum permissible laden weight: 

Maximum permissible laden weight is estimated by adding load capacity and basic weight. 

Calculation of weighting factors: 

Weighting factor = 

M = mean of population between the beginning and the end of the reference month. 

S = number of questionnaires used in analysis (in a stratum, during the reference period). 

S’ = number of vehicles for which no activity was recorded, but vehicles could be considered as 
active (holiday, no work, etc.). 

Optional variables covered: 

  Vehicle empty kilometres 

  Type of cargo 

  Vehicle operator’s NACE category of activity 

  Axle configuration 

Methodologies used in road freight transport surveys in Member States, EFTA and 
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'SSMStrataCarrying capacityAllowed to carry out commercial shipmentsAllowed to carry out international shipmentsHas ADR (¹)Year of production of vehicles (in 2017)Owner or holder13.5t < cap. <=5tNoAllAll1992 – 2017Legal23.5t < cap. <=5tYesAllAll1992 – 2017Legal35t< cap. <=10tNoAllAll1992 – 2001Legal45t< cap. <=10tNoAllAll2002 – 2007Legal55t< cap. <=10tNoAllAll2008 – 2017Legal65t< cap. <=10tYesAllAll1992 – 2001Legal75t< cap. <=10tYesAllAll2002 – 2007Legal85t< cap. <=10tYesAllAll2008 – 2017Legal9cap.>10tNoNoAll1992 – 2001Legal10cap.>10tNoNoAll2002 – 2007Legal11cap.>10tNoNoAll2008 – 2017Legal12cap.>10tNoYesAll1992 – 2001Legal13cap.>10tNoYesAll2002 – 2007Legal14cap.>10tNoYesAll2008 – 2017Legal15cap.>10tYesNoAll1992 – 2001Legal16cap.>10tYesNoAll2002 – 2007Legal17cap.>10tYesNoAll2007 – 2016Legal18cap.>10tYesYesAll1992 – 2001Legal19cap.>10tYesYesAll2002 – 2007Legal20cap.>10tYesYesAll2008 – 2017Legal21the trucksAllAllYes1992 – 2017Legal22the trucksNoNoNo1992 – 2007Legal23the trucksNoNoNo2008 – 2017Legal24the trucksNoYesNo1992 – 2017Legal25the trucksYesNoNo1992 – 2001Legal26the trucksYesNoNo2002 – 2017Legal27the trucksYesYesNo1992 – 2001Legal28the trucksYesYesNo2002 – 2004Legal29the trucksYesYesNo2005 – 2010Legal30the trucksYesYesNo2011 – 2013Legal31the trucksYesYesNo2014 – 2015Legal32the trucksYesYesNo2016 – 2017Legal40AllAllAllAll1992 – 2017Private(¹) European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road  
 
 
 
Methodologies used in surveys of road freight transport in Member States, EFTA and Candidate Countries 

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  Degree of loading of the vehicle 

Additional variables collected compared to the legal requirements: 

Environmental impact-related variables: 

Type of fuel used and fuel consumption. 

A1. Vehicle-related variables: 

 

 

 

possibility of using vehicles for combined transport (NO) 

axle configuration according to the nomenclature defined in the Regulation on road 
transport statistics (YES - A2) 

vehicle operator’s NACE Rev. 2 at class level (four-digit level) (YES) 

A2. Journey-related variables: 

 

 

 

place of loading, if any, of the road transport vehicle on another means of transport (NO) 

place of unloading, if any, of the road transport vehicle from another means of transport 
(NO) 

situation ‘fully loaded’ (procedure 2) or ‘not fully loaded’ (procedure 1) of the goods road 
transport vehicle during the journey in question, in terms of maximum volume of space 
used during the journey (procedure 0 = by convention for unladen journeys) (NO) 

A3. Goods-related variables: 

 

type of freight (Cargo types) as defined in the Regulation (YES) 

Methodologies used in road freight transport surveys in Member States, EFTA and 
Candidate Countries 

60 

Main figures20152016Total number of relevant goods vehicles in the country20 19220 266Number of vehicles selected for initial sample and questionnaires dispatched to vehicle owners5 8306 240Number of cases where no vehicle activity was recorded during the sampled period but the vehicle could be considered as part of the active stock1 5841 548Number of cases classified as non-respondents1 2691 458Number of cases where sample register information was wrong and response could not be used117115Number of questionnaires used in analysis2 8603 119More information in Countries Specific Notes(https://circabc.europa.eu/w/browse/9eea25b6-ebf2-4961-aed3-6ab27fb95b74) 
 
 
 
 
 
Methodologies used in surveys of road freight transport in Member States, EFTA and Candidate Countries 

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Lithuania 

Organisation responsible for the conducting the survey: 

Statistics Lithuania 

(Based on information referring to the first quarter of 2017) 

Sampling register used for the survey 

Name of register: 

Register of Road Motor Vehicles, Data on road freight vehicles, which passed a roadworthiness test 

Name of organisation who maintains the register: 

State enterprise ‘Regitra’ Lithuanian Association of Roadworthiness 

Frequency of update: 

Continuously 

Frequency of access to draw the samples: 

Once a quarter 

Arrangements for accessing the register: 

Each quarter at fixed dates, information is received from State Enterprise ‘Regitra’: 

 

 

 

 

2014 first quarter - 14 November of 2013 year, 

2014 second quarter - 14 February of 2014 year, 

2014 third quarter - 15 May of 2014 year, 

2014 fourth quarter - 14 August of 2014 year. 

Information obtained from the register: 

Registration number; type of road vehicle (lorry/road  tractors); enterprise code; year of production; 
name of private operators; name of business operators; address; load capacity; maximum 
permissible weight of vehicle. 

Load capacity of vehicle is used for stratification. 

Procedure for reminders: 

The first reminder is sent 9 days after the survey week by e-mail. 

The second reminder is sent 16 days after the survey week by e-mail. 

The third reminder is sent 23 days after the survey week by e-mail. 

An adequate sampling frame is provided. 

Sampling methodology 

Statistical unit: 

Tractive vehicle 

Methodologies used in road freight transport surveys in Member States, EFTA and 
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Methodologies used in surveys of road freight transport in Member States, EFTA and Candidate Countries 

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Types of units excluded: 

  Special purpose road vehicles; 

  Goods road vehicles with maximum permissible weight of less than 6 tonnes in case of 

a single motor vehicle 

  Vehicles which are not used for goods carriage 

  Goods road vehicle older than 25 years 

Goods road vehicle which are not covered by survey: 

  Vehicles with less than 6 tonnes maximum permissible weight. 

For vehicles less than 6 tonnes maximum permissible weight, estimations are carried out for the 
vehicle kilometres. 

Time unit: 

1 week 

Time units of quarter 1 of 2017 included in the survey: 

All (13 weeks) 

Stratification: 

The sample for one quarter is obtained using a sample in each stratum. All goods transport vehicles 
are distributed in 15 strata. Road goods vehicles are distributed in the following way: 

Recording of weight of goods: 

Gross weight of goods is collected, i.e. containers swap bodies and pallets are excluded.  

Recording of journey data sent to Eurostat: 

Single stop and multi stop: Only the commodity with highest weight is taken into account. 

Other variables: Currently only 5 countries are reported as countries crossed in transit (variable A2.7) 
as this is the maximum limit, although Lithuanian trucks can cross more than 5 transit countries. 
Lithuania may identify more than five transit countries. 

Calculation of weighting factors: 

Weighting factor = 

N= number of vehicles in the register (in a stratum) 

Methodologies used in road freight transport surveys in Member States, EFTA and 
Candidate Countries 

62 

'13SSNStrata codeGoods vehiclesLoad capacity (kg)Form of ownership25Lorries3 500 ≥Vehicles with licences for carriage of dangerous goods5Road tractorsnot dividedVehicles with licences for carriage of dangerous goods23Lorries3 500 – 9 999Vehicles with licences for international journeys8Lorries10 000 – 14 999Vehicles with licences for international journeys9Lorries15 000 +Vehicles with licences for international journeys10Road tractorsnot dividedVehicles with licences for international journeys24Lorries3 500 – 9 999Vehicles of enterprises with activity NACE Rev.2 49.4113Lorries10 000 – 14 999Vehicles of enterprises with activity NACE Rev.2 49.4114Lorries15 000 +Vehicles of enterprises with activity NACE Rev.2 49.4115Road tractorsnot dividedVehicles of enterprises with activity NACE Rev.2 49.4116Lorries3 500 – 5 999Vehicles with licences for national journeys and other17Lorries6 000 – 9 999Vehicles with licences for national journeys and other18Lorries10 000 – 14 999Vehicles with licences for national journeys and other19Lorries15 000 +Vehicles with licences for national journeys and other20Road tractorsnot dividedVehicles with licences for national journeys and other 
 
 
 
Methodologies used in surveys of road freight transport in Member States, EFTA and Candidate Countries 

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S= number of questionnaires used in analysis (in A1 dataset) 

S’= number of vehicles for which no activity was recorded, but vehicles could be considered as active 
(holiday, no work, etc.), sold, scrapped, leased, with load capacity too low. 

Optional variables covered: 

  Vehicle empty kilometres 

  Type of cargo 

  Vehicle operator’s NACE category of activity 

  Axle configuration 

  Degree of loading of the vehicle 

  Possibility of using vehicles for combined transport 

Additional variables collected compared to the legal requirements: 

Environmental impact-related variables: 

Type of fuel used and fuel consumption. 

A1. Vehicle-related variables: 

 

 

 

possibility of using vehicles for combined transport (YES) 

axle configuration according to the nomenclature defined in the Regulation on road 
transport statistics (YES) 

vehicle operator’s NACE Rev. 2 at class level (four-digit level) (YES) 

A2. Journey-related variables: 

 

 

 

place of loading, if any, of the road transport vehicle on another means of transport 
(YES) 

place of unloading, if any, of the road transport vehicle from another means of transport 
(YES) 

situation ‘fully loaded’ (procedure 2) or ‘not fully loaded’ (procedure 1) of the goods road 
transport vehicle during the journey in question, in terms of maximum volume of space 
used during the journey (procedure 0 = by convention for unladen journeys) (YES) 

A3. Goods-related variables: 

 

type of freight (Cargo types) as defined in the Regulation (YES) 

Methodologies used in road freight transport surveys in Member States, EFTA and 
Candidate Countries 

63 

Main figures20152016Total number of relevant goods vehicles in the country37 07838 062Number of vehicles selected for initial sample and questionnaires dispatched to vehicle owners12 65312 673Number of cases where no vehicle activity was recorded during the sampled period but the vehicle could be considered as part of the active stock3 4572 898Number of cases classified as non-respondents1 2332 097Number of cases where sample register information was wrong and response could not be used1 4601 376Number of questionnaires used in analysis6 5036 302More information in Countries Specific Notes(https://circabc.europa.eu/w/browse/9eea25b6-ebf2-4961-aed3-6ab27fb95b74) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Methodologies used in surveys of road freight transport in Member States, EFTA and Candidate Countries 

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Luxembourg 

Organisation responsible for the conducting the survey: 

National Statistical Institute (STATEC) 

(Based on information referring to the first quarter of 2017) 

Sampling register used for the survey 

Name of register: 

Parc des véhicules automoteurs 

Name of organisation who maintains the register: 

Centre des technologies de l’information de l’Etat (CTIE) 

Frequency of update: 

Daily update, but monthly transmission of an extract to STATEC. 

Frequency of access to draw the samples: 

At present, the samples are drawn at the beginning of the year, with two supplementary samples 
drawn in July and December. 

Arrangements for accessing the register: 

The first day of each month, the CTIE is transmitting an extract of the register to STATEC. 

Information obtained from the register: 

In the data files transmitted by the CTIE, there are technical specifications for all kind of automotive 
vehicles. At present, the CTIE is drawing the samples without any stratification. 

In a nearer future (+/- 6-9 months), STATEC plans to use stratified samples. The criteria for 
stratification are not yet fixed. 

Procedure for reminders: 

In general, the questionnaires have to be returned to STATEC within 5 days after the end of the 
reference week. At present, the enterprises receive, if necessary, 1-3 reminders per questionnaire. A 
scheduled system, sending out automatically reminders will be implemented during the next few 
months. 

In general, the response rate is good. During the next few months, a new automated system will 
allow to send reminders by e-mail or post according to intervals to be fixed by STATEC. 

Sampling methodology 

Statistical unit: 

Tractive vehicle 

Types of units excluded: 

According to the EU road freight transport statistics regulation, STATEC excludes: 

 

goods road transport vehicles whose authorised weight or dimensions exceed the limits 
normally permitted in the Member States concerned; 

Methodologies used in road freight transport surveys in Member States, EFTA and 
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Methodologies used in surveys of road freight transport in Member States, EFTA and Candidate Countries 

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 

agricultural vehicles, military vehicles and vehicles belonging to central or local public 
administrations, 

with the exception of goods road transport vehicles belonging to public undertakings, and in 
particular railway undertakings. 

In addition, several types of vehicles are also excluded, such as those used for breakdown services. 

Time unit: 

1 week 

Time unit of quarter 1 of 2017 included in the survey: 

7 weeks 

Stratification: There is no stratification. The same weighting factor is used for all vehicles for the 
whole quarter. 

Recording of weight of goods: 

Enterprises should indicate the weight of transported goods without packaging. 

Recording of journey data sent to Eurostat: 

Single stop, multi stop and collection /delivery: It is only allowed to indicate the carriage of one 
commodity per journey. If there are two or more commodities transported, the most important in 
terms of weight must be indicated. 

Estimation of maximum permissible laden weight: 

In the data files on the automotive vehicles, the maximum permissible laden weight on the different 
axes is indicated. The enterprises have to indicate the number of axis of the vehicle, the trailer or the 
semi-trailer. These indications allow calculating the total maximum permissible laden weight. 

Calculation of weighting factors: 

Weighting factor = 

w = number of calendar weeks in a quarter 

v = quarterly average number of tractive vehicles in the register used for goods carriage 

r = quarterly recorded questionnaires  

e = quarterly unused questionnaires (no activity or unusable indications) 

Optional variables covered: 

  Vehicle empty kilometres 

  Type of cargo 

  Vehicle operator’s NACE category of activity 

  Axle configuration 

Additional variables collected compared to the legal requirements: 

Environmental impact-related variables: 

Statec does not collect any information on the type of fuel used or the fuel consumption. 
Nevertheless, in the vehicle register there is a variable on the type of fuel used: in 2014, more than 
98 % of the transport vehicles use diesel. 

A1. Vehicle-related variables: 

 

possibility of using vehicles for combined transport (NO) 

Methodologies used in road freight transport surveys in Member States, EFTA and 
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ervw 
 
 
Methodologies used in surveys of road freight transport in Member States, EFTA and Candidate Countries 

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 

 

axle configuration according to the nomenclature defined in the Regulation on road 
transport statistics (NO) 

vehicle operator’s NACE Rev. 2 at class level (four-digit level) (NO) 

A2. Journey-related variables: 

 

 

 

place of loading, if any, of the road transport vehicle on another means of transport (NO) 

place of unloading, if any, of the road transport vehicle from another means of transport 
(NO) 

situation ‘fully loaded’ (procedure 2) or ‘not fully loaded’ (procedure 1) of the goods road 
transport vehicle during the journey in question, in terms of maximum volume of space 
used during the journey (procedure 0 = by convention for unladen journeys) (NO) 

A3. Goods-related variables: 

 

type of freight (Cargo types) as defined in the Regulation (NO) 

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Main figures20152016Total number of relevant goods vehicles in the country9 5119 664Number of vehicles selected for initial sample and questionnaires dispatched to vehicle owners8 3528 277Number of cases where no vehicle activity was recorded during the sampled period but the vehicle could be considered as part of the active stock1 4221 335Number of cases classified as non-respondents725908Number of cases where sample register information was wrong and response could not be used00Number of questionnaires used in analysis6 2056 034More information in Countries Specific Notes(https://circabc.europa.eu/w/browse/9eea25b6-ebf2-4961-aed3-6ab27fb95b74) 
 
 
 
 
 
Methodologies used in surveys of road freight transport in Member States, EFTA and Candidate Countries 

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Hungary 

Organisation responsible for the conducting the survey: 

Hungarian Central Statistical Office (HCSO) 

(Based on information referring to the first quarter of 2017) 

Sampling register used for the survey 

Name of register: 

National stock of goods carriage motor vehicles 

Name of organisation who maintains the register: 

Ministry of Interior, Deputy State Secretariat Responsible for Keeping Registers 

Frequency of update: 

Twice a year 

Frequency of access to draw the samples: 

Once a year 

Arrangements for accessing the register: 

Agreement between the Hungarian Central Statistical Office and the Ministry of Interior, Deputy State 
Secretariat Responsible for Keeping Registers based on the Government-decree of the National 
Statistical Data-collecting Programme. 

Information obtained from the register: 

Name, address, legal status (corporation or individuals), load capacity, vehicle type and age of the 
vehicle. 

Used in stratification: Legal status, load capacity, vehicle type and location. 

Procedure for reminders: 

First reminder: 8 days after the end of the reference period by post. 

The non-respondents have to answer within 5 days. 

HCSO has the right to take steps to impose penalty in case of notorious non responds. The Data 
Collection Directory (responsible for data recording) has already taken a few steps to impose penalty 
in regions where the non-response rate were high. The non-response rate is still the same but more 
work is behind. The willingness to answer is getting worse. The willingness may improve in case the 
time period for answering will be halved in a reference year due to change in sample frequency. 

Sampling methodology 

Statistical unit: 

Tractive vehicle 

Types of units excluded: 

Special-purpose vehicles: agricultural vehicles, military vehicles and vehicles belonging to central or 
local public administrations. 

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Methodologies used in surveys of road freight transport in Member States, EFTA and Candidate Countries 

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Lorries with less than 3.5 tonnes load capacity. 

Time unit: 

1 week 

Time units of quarter 1 of 2017 included in the survey: 

All (13 weeks) 

Stratification: 

The sample is stratified according to: 

1st criteria: vehicle operator’s legal status (corporation or individual) 

2nd criteria: load capacity, 4 categories: load capacity between 3.5 - 5 tonnes, 5 - 10 tonnes, above 
10 tonnes and road tractors as a separate stratum 

After this stratification we insure the required representation of the sample. 

As a 3rd criteria, at data grossing-up, the 20 countries are taken into consideration. 

Recording of weight of goods: 

Gross-gross weight of goods is collected, i.e. containers swap bodies and pallets are included. 

Recording of journey data sent to Eurostat: 

Single stop: If more than one goods commodity is carried, only the commodity with the highest 
weight is taken into account. 

Multi stop: Multi-stop journeys are coded by vertical stages. In the calculation for the multi stop 
journeys, the total weight is the sum of weights loaded at each stop. 

Collection/delivery: Journeys with less than 5 stops are not considered as collection/delivery 
journeys. 

Estimation of maximum permissible laden weight: 

Maximum permissible laden weight is available. 

Calculation of weighting factors: 

The main formula for the grossing (calculated for each of the 160 strata) is as follows: 

Weighting factor = 

N = total stratum population, 

S = number of vehicles selected for initial sample and questionnaires despatched to vehicles owner. 

Since 2014, a correction factor (C) has been calculated as proposed in the reference manual. 

C = correction factor calculated as follows: 

n1= the number of vehicles (respondents) that could be used for analysis (including those who had 
any activity during the sampled period and those where no vehicle activity was recorded during the 
sampled period but the vehicle could be considered as part of the active stock.) 

n2 = respondents whose performance is 0 because the vehicle was withdrawn from circulation;  

n3 = non respondents – no information; wrong address; the vehicle do not belong to the addressed 
person (register fault) 

n4 = vehicle has been sold, leased, performs somewhere else 

Methodologies used in road freight transport surveys in Member States, EFTA and 
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SNC)1(132143*5,0nnnn 
 
 
 
 
Methodologies used in surveys of road freight transport in Member States, EFTA and Candidate Countries 

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The non-respondents were present in the calculation system in different ways than recommended. 
The multiplier proposed in the reference manual is 0.5 because the probability whether a vehicle 
performs or not is 50 percent. In order to prolong the effect, the correction factor was adjusted to the 
common calculation system during the time period of 2011–2013. The multiplier was 0.8 till 2010, 0.7 
in 2011, and 0.6 in 2012 and 2013. 

Optional variables covered: 

  Vehicle empty kilometres 

  Type of cargo 

  Vehicle operator’s NACE category of activity 

  Possibility of using vehicles for combined transport 

Additional variables collected compared to the legal requirements: 

Environmental impact-related variables: 

Type of fuel used and fuel purchased. 

A1. Vehicle-related variables: 

 

 

 

possibility of using vehicles for combined transport (YES) 

axle configuration according to the nomenclature defined in the Regulation on road 
transport statistics (NO) 

vehicle operator’s NACE Rev. 2 at class level (four-digit level) (YES) 

A2. Journey-related variables: 

 

 

 

place of loading, if any, of the road transport vehicle on another means of transport (NO) 

place of unloading, if any, of the road transport vehicle from another means of transport 
(NO) 

situation ‘fully loaded’ (procedure 2) or ‘not fully loaded’ (procedure 1) of the goods road 
transport vehicle during the journey in question, in terms of maximum volume of space 
used during the journey (procedure 0 = by convention for unladen journeys) (NO) 

A3. Goods-related variables: 

 

type of freight (Cargo types) as defined in the Regulation (YES) 

Methodologies used in road freight transport surveys in Member States, EFTA and 
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Main figures20152016Total number of relevant goods vehicles in the country76 48877 509Number of vehicles selected for initial sample and questionnaires dispatched to vehicle owners51 41652 676Number of cases where no vehicle activity was recorded during the sampled period but the vehicle could be considered as part of the active stock9 0609 249Number of cases classified as non-respondents6 2608 910Number of cases where sample register information was wrong and response could not be used12 9749 162Number of questionnaires used in analysis23 12225 355More information in Countries Specific Notes(https://circabc.europa.eu/w/browse/9eea25b6-ebf2-4961-aed3-6ab27fb95b74) 
 
 
 
 
 
Methodologies used in surveys of road freight transport in Member States, EFTA and Candidate Countries 

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Malta 

Organisation responsible for the conducting the survey: 

National Statistics Office 

(Based on information referring to the first quarter of 2004) 

Regulation (EU) No 70/2012 does not apply to Malta, so long as the number of Maltese-registered 
goods road transport vehicles licensed to engage in international transport does not exceed 400 
vehicles 

Sampling register used for the survey 

Name of register: 

Vehicle registration database 

Name of organisation who maintains the register: 

Department of Licensing and Testing 

Frequency of update: 

Continuously 

Frequency of access to draw the samples: 

Quarterly 

Arrangements for accessing the register: 

The NSO has an agreement with the Malta Transport Authority within whose portfolio the Licensing 
and Testing Directorate resides, through which the latter give access to the data in their register. 
Indeed the MTA has recently agreed to provide the NSO with an electronic copy, with selected 
variables, of this register. 

Information obtained from the register: 

Registration number, name and surname of operator and his identity number, address, make, model, 
body type and gross vehicle weight. 

Procedure for reminders: 

Individual interviewers carry out the survey. There is no standard routine for reminders whilst the 
response rate was 67.6 % for the domestic survey and 32.7 % for the international operators. 

Sampling methodology 

Statistical unit: 

Tractive vehicle and transport firm 

Types of units excluded: 

International transport: no exclusions are possible because the population is very small (70 trucks). 
Local transport of goods by road: the survey is carried out in accordance with the requirements of the 
Regulation. 

Time unit: 

1 weekday to which the statistical unit is assigned and both weekend days 

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Time units of quarter 1 of 2004 included in the survey: 

Zero 

Stratification: 

The overall sample size is 2 080 trucks, which are distributed 40 per week. The total number of 5–9.9 
tonnage trucks sampled is 780, which amount to 15 per week (or 3 per weekday). The total number 
of 10+ tonnage trucks sampled is 1 300, which amount to 25 per week (or 5 per weekday). The idea 
is to allocate to each day of the week 8 trucks in all, and ask the individual to answer for that 
particular day to which he is assigned together with both weekend days for that week (i.e. Saturday 
and Sunday). Each address is tagged with a week number (running from 1 to 52) and a day number 
(running from 1 to 5, 1 being Monday to 5 being Friday). 

Additional variables collected compared to the legal requirements: 

Environmental impact related variables: none 

A1. Vehicle-related variables: none 

A2. Journey-related variables: none 

A3. Goods-related variables: none 

Methodologies used in road freight transport surveys in Member States, EFTA and 
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Main figures20152016Total number of relevant goods vehicles in the country::Number of vehicles selected for initial sample and questionnaires dispatched to vehicle owners::Number of cases where no vehicle activity was recorded during the sampled period but the vehicle could be considered as part of the active stock::Number of cases classified as non-respondents::Number of cases where sample register information was wrong and response could not be used::Number of questionnaires used in analysis::More information in Countries Specific Notes(https://circabc.europa.eu/w/browse/9eea25b6-ebf2-4961-aed3-6ab27fb95b74) 
 
 
 
 
 
Methodologies used in surveys of road freight transport in Member States, EFTA and Candidate Countries 

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Netherlands 

Organisation responsible for the conducting the survey: 

Statistics Netherlands 

(Based on information referring to the first quarter of 2017) 

Sampling register used for the survey 

Name of register: 

a)  National vehicle Register of RDW (Centrum voor voertuigtechniek en informatie) 

For the stratification of the sample also the following registers are also used: 

b)  National Business Register (CBS/ Chamber of Commerce) 

c)  Lease Registers from the Tax Authorities  

Name of organisation who maintains the register: 

Statistics Netherlands 

Frequency of update: 

Once a quarter 

Frequency of access to draw the samples: 

Once a quarter 

Arrangements for accessing the register: 

The data are forwarded by RDW to Statistics Netherlands up to one month in advance of the 
statistical period (quarter). 

Information obtained from the register: 

Information obtained among others from the register: licence number, brand name, loading capacity 
of the vehicle, type of motor vehicle, age of the vehicle, empty weight of the vehicle, fuel type, engine 
type (EURO norm), KW class of engine, enterprise number. 

Information used in the stratification of the sample: To determine the type of transport (own account 
or hire and reward) the enterprise number belonging to the licence number in the National Vehicle 
Register of RDW is linked to the enterprise number of the National Business register. Furthermore, 
the NACE is used to categorize the vehicles to the enterprises that own the vehicle to minimize the 
sample-variance per stratum. 

Further the following register variables are used for the stratification: loading capacity, type of 
vehicles and age of the vehicle. 

Procedure for reminders: 

There is a standard routine for reminders: 

 

 

 

 

3 weeks after the reported time period, the non-respondents receive a first written reminder. 

6 weeks after the reported time period, the non-respondents receive a second written 
reminder. 

8 weeks after the reported time period, the non-respondents receive a reminder performed 
by telephone. 

10 weeks or more after the reported time period, the most important non-respondents, 

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based on the number of vehicles, will be visited by a fieldworker. 

The response rate is adequate. 

Sampling methodology 

Statistical unit: 

Tractive vehicle 

Types of units excluded: 

Vehicles not used for goods transport on public roads and passenger vehicles, such as Buses and 
campers. 

Vehicles with a Maximum Permissible Weight <= 3 500 kg. 

Vehicles older than 25 years. 

Statistics Netherlands has introduced a new survey to cover vehicles with a Maximum Permissible 
weight <= 3500 kg. The results of this group of vehicles in 2016: transported weight 64 million tonnes 
of goods (equipment excluded) and 16.5 billion kilometres. 

Time unit: 

1 week 

Time unit of quarter 1 of 2017 included in the survey: 

All (13 weeks) 

Stratification: 

The sample is drawn at random within 74 strata. The stratification variables used are: 

  Type of transport (Own account or hire and reward) based on the National Business 

register 

  Type of vehicle 

 

Loading capacity 

  Age of vehicle 

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StratumFractionYearType of transportType of vehicleSBIklasseLoad capacity(¹)Age of vehicleNace(¹)10.2310002014Own accountLorryA1,2,3,4All vehiclesFleet under 30 vehicles20.2310002014Own accountLorryB1.2All vehiclesFleet under 30 vehicles30.2310002014Own accountLorryB3.4All vehiclesFleet under 30 vehicles40.1750002014Own accountLorryC1.2All vehiclesFleet under 30 vehicles50.1750002014Own accountLorryC3.4All vehiclesFleet under 30 vehicles60.2310002014Own accountLorryD1.2Less or equal to 4 yearsFleet under 30 vehicles70.2331002014Own accountLorryD3.4Less or equal to 4 yearsFleet under 30 vehicles80.1575002014Own accountLorryD1.24 years or olderFleet under 30 vehicles90.1750002014Own accountLorryD3.44 years or olderFleet under 30 vehicles100.2310002014Own accountLorryE1.2All vehiclesFleet under 30 vehicles110.2310002014Own accountLorryE3.4All vehiclesFleet under 30 vehicles120.2310002014Own accountLorryF1,2,3,4Less or equal to 4 yearsFleet under 30 vehicles130.1750002014Own accountLorryF1.24 years or olderFleet under 30 vehicles140.1750002014Own accountLorryF3.44 years or olderFleet under 30 vehicles150.2310002014Own accountLorryG1.2All vehiclesFleet under 30 vehicles160.2310002014Own accountLorryG3.4All vehiclesFleet under 30 vehicles170.3150002014Own accountRoad tractorA-G1,2,3All vehiclesFleet under 30 vehicles180.3150002014Own accountRoad tractorA4All vehiclesFleet under 30 vehicles190.3150002014Own accountRoad tractorB4All vehiclesFleet under 30 vehicles200.3150002014Own accountRoad tractorC4All vehiclesFleet under 30 vehicles(¹) 1. Less than 2 tonnes, 2. 2 -3,5 tonnes, 3. 3,5-15 tonnes, 4. 15 tonnes or more 
 
 
 
 
 
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StratumFractionYearType of transportType of vehicleSBIklasseLoad capacity(¹)Age of vehicleNace(¹)210.3150002014Own accountRoad tractorD4Less or equal to 4 yearsFleet under 30 vehicles220.3150002014Own accountRoad tractorD44 years or olderFleet under 30 vehicles230.3150002014Own accountRoad tractorE4Less or equal to 4 yearsFleet under 30 vehicles240.3150002014Own accountRoad tractorE44 years or olderFleet under 30 vehicles250.3150002014Own accountRoad tractorF4Less or equal to 4 yearsFleet under 30 vehicles260.3150002014Own accountRoad tractorF44 years or olderFleet under 30 vehicles270.3150002014Own accountRoad tractorG4All vehiclesFleet under 30 vehicles280.1750002014Own accountSpecial vehicleNULL2All vehiclesFleet under 30 vehicles290.2310002014Own accountSpecial vehicleNULL3.4All vehiclesFleet under 30 vehicles300.3150002014Hire and rewardLorryNULL1.2All vehiclesFleet under 30 vehicles310.3150002014Hire and rewardLorryNULL3Less or equal to 4 yearsFleet under 30 vehicles320.3150002014Hire and rewardLorryNULL4Less or equal to 4 yearsFleet under 30 vehicles330.2310002014Hire and rewardLorryNULL34 years or olderFleet under 30 vehicles340.2310002014Hire and rewardLorryNULL44 years or olderFleet under 30 vehicles350.3150002014Hire and rewardRoad tractorNULL1,2,3,4Less or equal to 4 yearsFleet under 30 vehicles360.2310002014Hire and rewardRoad tractorNULL1,2,3,44 years or olderFleet under 30 vehicles370.0700002014Hire and rewardSpecial vehicleNULL2,3,4All vehiclesFleet under 30 vehicles380.0742502014Own accountLorryA1,2,3,4All vehiclesFleet 30 or more vehlices390.0742502014Own accountLorryB1.2All vehiclesFleet 30 or more vehlices400.0742502014Own accountLorryB3.4All vehiclesFleet 30 or more vehlices410.0562502014Own accountLorryC1.2All vehiclesFleet 30 or more vehlices420.0562502014Own accountLorryC3.4All vehiclesFleet 30 or more vehlices430.0742502014Own accountLorryD1.2Less or equal to 4 yearsFleet 30 or more vehlices440.0749252014Own accountLorryD3.4Less or equal to 4 yearsFleet 30 or more vehlices450.0506252014Own accountLorryD1.24 years or olderFleet 30 or more vehlices460.0562502014Own accountLorryD3.44 years or olderFleet 30 or more vehlices470.0742502014Own accountLorryE1.2All vehiclesFleet 30 or more vehlices480.0742502014Own accountLorryE3.4All vehiclesFleet 30 or more vehlices490.0742502014Own accountLorryF1,2,3,4Less or equal to 4 yearsFleet 30 or more vehlices500.0562502014Own accountLorryF1.24 years or olderFleet 30 or more vehlices510.0562502014Own accountLorryF3.44 years or olderFleet 30 or more vehlices520.0742502014Own accountLorryG1.2All vehiclesFleet 30 or more vehlices530.0742502014Own accountLorryG3.4All vehiclesFleet 30 or more vehlices540.1012502014Own accountRoad tractorA-G1,2,3All vehiclesFleet 30 or more vehlices550.1012502014Own accountRoad tractorA4All vehiclesFleet 30 or more vehlices560.1012502014Own accountRoad tractorB4All vehiclesFleet 30 or more vehlices570.1012502014Own accountRoad tractorC4All vehiclesFleet 30 or more vehlices580.1012502014Own accountRoad tractorD4Less or equal to 4 yearsFleet 30 or more vehlices590.1012502014Own accountRoad tractorD44 years or olderFleet 30 or more vehlices600.1012502014Own accountRoad tractorE4Less or equal to 4 yearsFleet 30 or more vehlices610.1012502014Own accountRoad tractorE44 years or olderFleet 30 or more vehlices620.1012502014Own accountRoad tractorF4Less or equal to 4 yearsFleet 30 or more vehlices630.1012502014Own accountRoad tractorF44 years or olderFleet 30 or more vehlices640.1012502014Own accountRoad tractorG4All vehiclesFleet 30 or more vehlices650.0562502014Own accountSpecial vehicleNULL2All vehiclesFleet 30 or more vehlices660.0742502014Own accountSpecial vehicleNULL3.4All vehiclesFleet 30 or more vehlices670.1012502014Hire and rewardLorryNULL1.2All vehiclesFleet 30 or more vehlices680.1012502014Hire and rewardLorryNULL3Less or equal to 4 yearsFleet 30 or more vehlices690.1012502014Hire and rewardLorryNULL4Less or equal to 4 yearsFleet 30 or more vehlices700.0742502014Hire and rewardLorryNULL34 years or olderFleet 30 or more vehlices710.0742502014Hire and rewardLorryNULL44 years or olderFleet 30 or more vehlices720.1012502014Hire and rewardRoad tractorNULL1,2,3,4Less or equal to 4 yearsFleet 30 or more vehlices730.0742502014Hire and rewardRoad tractorNULL1,2,3,44 years or olderFleet 30 or more vehlices740.0225002014Hire and rewardSpecial vehicleNULL2,3,4All vehiclesFleet 30 or more vehlices(¹) 1. Less than 2 tonnes, 2. 2 -3,5 tonnes, 3. 3,5-15 tonnes, 4. 15 tonnes or more 
 
 
 
 
 
Methodologies used in surveys of road freight transport in Member States, EFTA and Candidate Countries 

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Recording of weight of goods: 

Gross-gross weight of goods is collected, i.e. containers swap bodies and pallets are included.  

Recording journey data sent to Eurostat: 

Single stop: The respondent is able to record only one type of goods. 

Collection/delivery: Tonne-kilometres = Tonnes * Distance / 2. 

Other variables: Unladen journeys are assumed to be associated with laden journeys. 

Calculation of weighting factors: 

Weighting factor =  

N = number of vehicles in the register (per stratum) (average of the current quarter) 

N = number of vehicles in the register (per stratum) (average of the next quarter) 

S = number of questionnaires used in analysis (in A1 dataset) 

S’ = number of vehicles for which no activity was recorded, but vehicles could be considered as 
active (holiday, no work, etc.). 

To correct for changes in the population during the quarter, two consecutive versions of the vehicle 
register are used (N and N'). 

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''5.013SSNNNacestratumDescriptionAAgriculture, hunting, forestry, fishingAMining and quarryingBManufacture of food products, beverages and tobaccoBManufacture of textiles and textile products, manufacture of leather and leather products, Manufacture of rubber and plastic productsBManufacture of wood and wood productsBmanufacture of pulp, paper and paper productsBPublishing, printing and reproduction of recorded mediaBManufacture of coke, refined petroleum products and nuclear fuel, Manufacture pf chemicals, chemical products and man-made fibresBManufacture of other non-metallic mineral productsBManufacture of basic metals and fabricated metal products, Manufacture of machinery and equipment n.e.c., BManufacture of electrical and optical equipment, Manufacture of transport equipmentBManufacturing n.e.c.BElectricity, gas and water supplyCConstructionDWholesale trade and commission trade, except of motor vehicles and motorcyclesDRetail trade, except of motor vehicles and motorcycles; repair of personal and household goodsDHotels and restaurantsESale, maintenance and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles; retail sale of automotive fuelETransport, storage and communication (excl. Freight transport by road)FFinancial intermediation, Real estate, renting and business activitiesFEducation, Health and social work, Other community, social and personal service activitiesGNace classication unknown 
 
 
 
Methodologies used in surveys of road freight transport in Member States, EFTA and Candidate Countries 

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Optional variables covered: 

  Vehicle empty kilometres 

  Type of cargo 

  Axle configuration 

  Degree of loading of the vehicle 

Additional variables collected compared to the legal requirements: 

Environmental impact-related variables: 

Type of fuel used and average fuel consumption. 

A1. Vehicle-related variables: 

 

 

 

possibility of using vehicles for combined transport (NO) 

axle configuration according to the nomenclature defined in the Regulation on road 
transport statistics (YES) 

vehicle operator’s NACE Rev. 2 at class level (four-digit level) (YES) 

A2. Journey-related variables: 

 

 

 

place of loading, if any, of the road transport vehicle on another means of transport 
(YES) 

place of unloading, if any, of the road transport vehicle from another means of transport 
(YES) 

situation ‘fully loaded’ (procedure 2) or ‘not fully loaded’ (procedure 1) of the goods road 
transport vehicle during the journey in question, in terms of maximum volume of space 
used during the journey (procedure 0 = by convention for unladen journeys) (NO) 

A3. Goods-related variables: 

 

type of freight (Cargo types) as defined in the Regulation (YES) 

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Main figures20152016Total number of relevant goods vehicles in the country98 484128 133Number of vehicles selected for initial sample and questionnaires dispatched to vehicle owners154 43136 353Number of cases where no vehicle activity was recorded during the sampled period but the vehicle could be considered as part of the active stock5 3225 160Number of cases classified as non-respondents123 1894 829Number of cases where sample register information was wrong and response could not be used2 4612 518Number of questionnaires used in analysis23 45923 846More information in Countries Specific Notes(https://circabc.europa.eu/w/browse/9eea25b6-ebf2-4961-aed3-6ab27fb95b74) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Austria 

Organisation responsible for the conducting the survey: 

Statistics Austria 

(Based on information referring to the first quarter of 2017) 

Sampling register used for the survey 

Name of register: 

Vehicle-Register (VR) and Statistical Business Register (BR) 

Name of organisation who maintains the register: 

Bundesanstalt Statistik Österreich / Statistics Austria 

Frequency of update: 

Vehicle Register: Monthly 

Business Register: Continuously 

Frequency of access to draw the samples: 

Once a quarter 

Arrangements for accessing the register: 

Access to the vehicle register of the Austrian motor vehicle liability insurance is regulated in §40b 
Abs. 10 and §47 Abs. 1a of the Kraftfahrgesetzes 1967- KFG. 1967. The vehicle liability insurance 
has to grant Statistics Austria electronic access to all data necessary for the compilation of statistics 
on the national vehicle inventory. 

Information obtained from the register: 

Vehicle Register: Bundesland (Federal State), registration office, vehicle registration number, vehicle 
identification number, registration date, type of vehicle, empty weight, load capacity, maximum 
permissible weight, link to BR. 

Business Register: Enterprise number (link to VR), name of enterprise, address, NACE. 

Stratum: Load capacity class (derived from total load capacity of all vehicles registered at a local 
unit), transport type (“transport on own account / for hire or reward“, derived from NACE), maximum 
permissible gross vehicle weight, geographic region derived from address. 

Procedure for reminders: 

First reminder: 3 weeks after the surveyed week 

Second reminder: 5 weeks after the surveyed week 

Penalty procedure: starts 6 weeks after the second reminder 

The response rate is adequate. The survey is obligatory, and respondents that do not complete the 
survey have to face legal fines. 

Sampling methodology 

Statistical unit: 

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Tractive vehicle, Local unit 

Types of units excluded: 

Excluded are local units with NACE 7525 (Fire brigade), 8041 (Driving schools), 9500 (Private 
household), 9900 (Exterritorial organisations and corporations) and enterprises without tractive 
vehicles. 

Agricultural vehicles, vehicles of regional administrative bodies and foreign organisations and military 
vehicles. 

Vehicles with load capacity less than 2 tonnes. 

Vehicles older than 25 years. 

Time unit: 

1 week 

Time unit of quarter 1 of 2017 included in the survey: 

All of quarter 1 

Stratification: 

The stratification of the survey is based on groups based on load capacity class of the local unit at 
which the vehicle is registered, transport type, maximum permissible weight, geographic region and 
a temporal component. 

Principle behind the numerical encoding of the Strata: 

Load capacity class of local unit (total load capacity registered at a local unit, including vehicles and 
trailers): 

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Stratum codeLoad capacity classTransport typeMaximum permissible weightRegion105110All vehiclesAT211221<=12.5tATeV211321<=12.5tV213221>12.5tATeV213321>12.5tV216121Road tractorsAT222222<=7.5tATeV222322<=7.5tV224222>7.5t and <=12.5tATeV224322>7.5t and <=12.5tV223222>12.5tATeV223322>12.5tV226122Road tractorsAT311231<=12.5tATeV311331<=12.5tV313231>12.5tATeV313331>12.5tV316131Road tractorsAT322232<=7.5tATeV322332<=7.5tV324232>7.5t and <=12.5tATeV324332>7.5t and <=12.5tV323232>12.5tATeV323332>12.5tV326132Road tractorsAT 
 
 
Methodologies used in surveys of road freight transport in Member States, EFTA and Candidate Countries 

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1: < 15 tonnes load capacity 

2: 15-150 tonnes load capacity 

3: >150 tonnes load capacity 

Transport type: 

0: any transport type 

1: transport for hire or reward 

2: transport on own account 

Maximum permissible weight of vehicles: 

<= 12.5 tonnes 

<= 7.5 tonnes 

> 12.5 tonnes 

between 7.5 and 12.5 tonnes 

5: All vehicles 

6: Road tractors 

Geographic region: 

AT: Austria 

ATeV: Austria excluding Vienna 

V: Vienna 

Recording of weight of goods: 

A2: gross-gross-weight 

A3: For containers (not swap bodies or pallets) a separate record for the container (with tare weight 
of the container, type of goods = 16) and the load (gross-weight) is produced. For swap bodies and 
pallets the gross-gross weight is reported directly. 

Recording journey data sent to Eurostat: 

Single stop: Only the most common type of good is recorded for a single stop journey. 

Multi stop: For type 2 journeys it is assumed that either only loading or unloading occurs. It is not 
possible to report mixed journeys on which both - loading and unloading - occurs. No further 
simplifications are made. Each stop is reported with its own travel distance, type of goods, and 
weight of load. 

Collection/delivery: STAT reports journeys with several unloading operations within the same postal 
code district as type 3 journeys. This is reported exactly identical as if only a single unloading 
operation would have taken place. 

Estimation of maximum permissible laden weight: 

Exact data is available. 

Calculation of weighting factors: 

For each period of 4 consecutive weeks z = 1,…,13 the weight whz in each stratum h is calculated as 
four times the quotient of the number of all vehicles Fhz of stratum h divided by the number of 
responding vehicles fhz in period z. 

whz = 4 ∗  

Fhz
fhz

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Optional variables covered: 

  Vehicle empty kilometres 

  Type of cargo 

  Vehicle operator’s NACE category of activity 

  Axle configuration 

  Degree of loading of the vehicle 

Additional variables collected compared to the legal requirements: 

Environmental impact-related variables: none 

A1. Vehicle-related variables: 

 

 

 

possibility of using vehicles for combined transport (NO) 

axle configuration according to the nomenclature defined in the Regulation on road 
transport statistics (YES) 

vehicle operator’s NACE Rev. 2 at class level (four-digit level) (YES) 

A2. Journey-related variables: 

 

 

 

place of loading, if any, of the road transport vehicle on another means of transport (NO) 

place of unloading, if any, of the road transport vehicle from another means of transport 
(NO) 

situation ‘fully loaded’ (procedure 2) or ‘not fully loaded’ (procedure 1) of the goods road 
transport vehicle during the journey in question, in terms of maximum volume of space 
used during the journey (procedure 0 = by convention for unladen journeys) (NO) 

A3. Goods-related variables: 

 

type of freight (Cargo types) as defined in the Regulation (YES) 

Other methodological changes introduced since the last publication of the ‘Methodologies 
used in surveys of road freight transport in Member States and Candidate Countries’ (Edition 
2014) 

Since 2016 all vehicles for a reporting year are sampled at the end of the foregoing year. This has 
the advantage that respondents can already be contacted at the beginning of the reporting year. 
Hence they are prepared for the time period (reporting weeks) and so the quality of the questionnaire 
may improve. 

Quarterly update-samples are drawn to account for vehicles that went out of service during a 
reporting year. 

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Main figures20152016Total number of relevant goods vehicles in the country65 75064 344Number of vehicles selected for initial sample and questionnaires dispatched to vehicle owners26 00026 756Number of cases where no vehicle activity was recorded during the sampled period but the vehicle could be considered as part of the active stock4 8593 646Number of cases classified as non-respondents33276Number of cases where sample register information was wrong and response could not be used1 2114 110Number of questionnaires used in analysis19 60618 924More information in Countries Specific Notes(https://circabc.europa.eu/w/browse/9eea25b6-ebf2-4961-aed3-6ab27fb95b74) 
 
 
 
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The stratification of the sample was also redesigned. 

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Poland 

Organisation responsible for the conducting the survey: 

Central Statistical Office 

(Based on information referring to the first quarter of 2017) 

Sampling register used for the survey 

Name of register: 

Statistical motor vehicle database (created for the purpose of this survey) 

Name of organisation who maintains the register: 

Central Statistical Office 

Frequency of update: 

Mainly once a quarter 

Frequency of access to draw the samples: 

Once a quarter 

Arrangements for accessing the register: 

The main data source is Central Vehicle Register (maintained by Ministry of the Digital Affairs). Data 
as of the end of each quarter are received as 398 files in the XML format (according to NTS 4-level 
/districts) four times a year (at the end of January, April, July and October).  

Information obtained from the register: 

Information to conduct the survey: registration number, name, address and ID number (REGON) of 
the vehicle owner or user, type of vehicle, year of manufacture, load capacity, maximum permissible 
weight, type of body, administrative region (NTS4/district-codes), number of axles information on 
model and brand of vehicles in case both the vehicle’s load capacity and maximum permissible laden 
weight is unknown. 

Information for the stratification: type of vehicle, year of manufacture, administrative region (NUTS2 
level), load capacity (for lorries). 

Procedure for reminders: 

First reminder: 3 weeks after the survey week. 

Second reminder: 6 weeks after the survey week. 

In 2017, the survey sample decreased from ~56.000 to ~50.000 goods motor vehicles. 

The statistical obligations of the companies with more than 100 vehicles are limited to only 40 % of 
their fleet. The list of these vehicles in the survey frame is changed every 6 months. 

Sampling methodology 

Statistical unit: 

Tractive vehicle 

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Types of units excluded: 

Road motor vehicles over 25 years old. 

Lorries with 3.5 and less than 3.5 tonnes maximum permissible weight and less than 1.5 tonnes load 
capacity. 

Military vehicles, vehicles of the border guard, police vehicles, vehicles belonging to central or local 
public administrations and agricultural tractors. 

Special purposes vehicles and vehicle not adjusted to carry goods. 

Estimations for the vehicle-km (or performance) not covered by the survey: 

In 2015, about 5 % of total performance is not covered by Regulation 70/2012. 

Time unit: 

1 week 

Time units of quarter 1 of 2017 included in the survey: 

All (13 weeks). 

Stratification: 

The sample has 192 strata and is stratified according to: 

  Type of vehicle (2 classes): lorry; road tractor 

  Age (4 age-groups): 0–5, 6–10 (younger), 11–15; 16–25 (older) 

 

 

Load capacity (2 classes): <6 tonnes; => 6 tonnes (concerning the lorries only) 

16 regions (from 02 to 32) 

The sample is divided into 12 large strata: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11 - lorries with under 6 tonnes of load capacity and within the 0–5 age group 

12 - lorries with under 6 tonnes of load capacity and within the 6–10 age group 

21 - lorries with under 6 tonnes of load capacity and within the 11–15 age group 

22 - lorries with under 6 tonnes of load capacity and within the 16–25 age group 

31 - lorries with 6 tonnes and more than 6 tonnes of load capacity and within the 0–5 
age group 

32 - lorries with 6 tonnes and more than 6 tonnes of load capacity and within the 6–10 
age group 

41 - lorries with 6 tonnes and more than 6 tonnes of load capacity and within the 11–15 
age group 

42 - lorries with 6 tonnes and more than 6 tonnes of load capacity and within the 16–25 
age group 

51 - road tractors within the 0–5 age group 

52 - road tractors within the 6–10 age group 

61 - road tractors within the 11–15 age group 

62 - road tractors within the 16–25 age group 

Each of the strata is allocated into 16 regions. The sample is allocated to the stratum in proportion to 
the population of the stratum and distributed equally among the 13 weeks of the quarter. 

Each of strata has a unique code which consists of code for the region and a symbol of the large 
stratum (e.g. 0211). 

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The sampling fraction is greater for younger and heavier vehicles, which means that: 

 

 

the sample of heavier lorries is one and a half as big as the sample of lighter lorries, 
while the sample of younger lorries is almost as much as the sample of older lorries 

the sample of younger road tractors is twice as big as the sample of older road tractors 

Recording of weight of goods 

Gross-gross weight of goods is collected, i.e. containers swap bodies and pallets are included.  

Recording of journey data sent to Eurostat: 

Single stop: Transport operators are requested to give only one main type of goods (dominant 
considering the weight of goods). 

Multi stop: For each place of loading in the type 2 journeys is recorded only one main type of goods. 
Goods are unloaded according to the method FIFO (the first type of goods loaded is the first type of 
goods unloaded) 

Collection/delivery: The transport operators give only the first and last place of loading/unloading and 
the number of stops. Type 3 journeys are recorded only for national transport. 

The weight of goods and tonnes-kilometres are calculated according to the formulae: 

Weight of goods (A2.2) = weight of goods (A3.2) 

Tonnes-km = ∑(A3.2 * A3.7)/20 

where: 

A3.2 - weight of goods 

A3.7 - distance travelled 

Other variables: The axle configuration of vehicle and the type of transport are recorded as the most 
frequently-used during the survey week. 

Estimation of maximum permissible laden weight: 

For a given vehicle whose load capacity is known, the maximum permissible laden weight is 
estimated using the most common maximum permissible laden weight recorded by other vehicles of 
the same load capacity. 

In case both the vehicle’s load capacity and maximum permissible laden weight is unknown in 
Central Vehicle Register, we refer to information regarding model and brand of vehicles. Missing 
information on maximum permissible laden weight and load capacity is completed on the basis of the 
vehicle catalogue. 

Calculation of weighting factors: 

Weighting factors =

N = total number of vehicles in the sampling frame (in a stratum) 

n = number of vehicles selected for the sample 

C = correction factor computed as

s1 =  number of active stock (active vehicles (records in A1 dataset)  and non-working vehicles (due 
to sickness, repair, lack of work etc)) 

s3 =  number of non-responses (non-contacts, refusals, unknown users, sold vehicles, vehicles 
covered by banking secrecy, etc.) 

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nNC13131sss 
 
 
 
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During the weighting process we deal with: 

1.  Overcoverage 

2.  Non-response 

Basic weighting factor: 

Assumption 1: The proportion of scrapped and other out-of-scope vehicles found on the survey is the 
same as on the register. 

Assumption 2: All non-responses are assumed to be in-scope. 

1. Overcoverage 

Weighting factor considering overcoverage: 

2. Non-response 

Weighting factor considering non-response: 

Finally: 

Optional variables covered: 

  Vehicle empty kilometres 

  Type of cargo 

  Vehicle operator’s NACE category of activity 

  Axle configuration 

  Degree of loading of the vehicle 

  Possibility of using vehicles for combined transport 

Additional variables collected compared to the legal requirements: 

Environmental impact-related variables: 

Type of fuel used and average fuel consumption. 

A1. Vehicle-related variables: 

 

 

 

possibility of using vehicles for combined transport (YES) 

axle configuration according to the nomenclature defined in the Regulation on road 
transport statistics (YES) 

vehicle operator’s NACE Rev. 2 at class level (four-digit level) (YES) 

A2. Journey-related variables: 

 

place of loading, if any, of the road transport vehicle on another means of transport 
(YES) 

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nNw*131nssww3112*123*snww1314**13sssnNw 
 
 
 
 
 
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 

 

place of unloading, if any, of the road transport vehicle from another means of transport 
(YES) 

situation ‘fully loaded’ (procedure 2) or ‘not fully loaded’ (procedure 1) of the goods road 
transport vehicle during the journey in question, in terms of maximum volume of space 
used during the journey (procedure 0 = by convention for unladen journeys) (YES) 

A3. Goods-related variables: 

 

type of freight (Cargo types) as defined in the Regulation (YES) 

Other methodological changes introduced since the last publication of the ‘Methodologies 
used in surveys of road freight transport in Member States and Candidate Countries’ (Edition 
2014) 

Two additional variables were added to the survey: 

  Class of air pollution emissions EURO 

  Size of large containers 

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Main figures20152016Total number of relevant goods vehicles in the country666 153680 910Number of vehicles selected for initial sample and questionnaires dispatched to vehicle owners56 16052 000Number of cases where no vehicle activity was recorded during the sampled period but the vehicle could be considered as part of the active stock11 13710 650Number of cases classified as non-respondents13 50613 584Number of cases where sample register information was wrong and response could not be used11 9518 558Number of questionnaires used in analysis19 56619 208More information in Countries Specific Notes(https://circabc.europa.eu/w/browse/9eea25b6-ebf2-4961-aed3-6ab27fb95b74) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Portugal 

Organisation responsible for the conducting the survey: 

National Statistical Institute (INE) 

(Based on information referring to the first quarter of 2017) 

Sampling register used for the survey 

Name of register: 

Heavy goods road vehicle file 

Name of organisation who maintains the register: 

National Organisations: 

 

 

I.R.N. (Instituto dos Registos e do Notariado) 

I.M.T.T. (Instituto da Mobilidade e dos Transportes Terrestres) 

Frequency of update: 

Quarterly concerning the survey feedback, annually concerning the 2 external sources 

Frequency of access to draw the samples: 

Once a quarter 

Arrangements for accessing the register: 

Each year, IMT provides the file containing the vehicles licensed to transport activities and IRN 
provides the file containing the identification (name and address) of the owners or users (these last 
only for registers changed in the current year). 

Information obtained from the register: 

Vehicle registration, 1st year of the vehicle registration, maximum permissible laden weight, load 
capacity, number of axles, category of the vehicle, type of transport, identification and NACE of the 
owner, auxiliary information about some leasing contracts. 

Used in stratification: NUTS II of the address of the owners (Mainland regions: Norte, Centro, Lisboa, 
Alentejo and Algarve), Category of the vehicle (Lorry or Road tractor), Gross weight class (5 for 
lorries and 2 for tractors), Type of transport (Own Account, Hire or Reward). 

Procedure for reminders: 

The first reminder goes out 3 weeks after the end of the month under observation, the second 
reminder goes out three weeks after the first one and the last reminder goes out only for selected 
specific cases. 

The response rate seems to be adequate (about 80-85 % in provisional data). 

Sampling methodology 

Statistical unit: 

Tractive vehicle 

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Types of units excluded: 

All vehicles with maximum permissible laden weight equal or inferior to 3 500 kg, vehicles not used 
for the transport of goods, such as agricultural and military vehicles, fire engines and special 
transport vehicles. 

Time unit: 

1 week 

Time unit of quarter 1 of 2017 included in the survey: 

All (13 weeks) 

Stratification: 

Two stratum of ‘gross weight class’ were merged: 19 001kg - 22 000kg and 22 000kg - 26 000Kg into 
19 001 Kg - 26 000 Kg. 

The sample is stratified according to the following variables: 

  First two digits: 

o  Region (Norte, Centro, Lisboa, Alentejo and Algarve) 

  Third digit: 

o  Category of vehicle (Lorry or Road Tractor) 

  Fourth digit: 

o  Gross weight class (Lorry): 

 

 

 

 

 

3 501 - 10 000 kg 

10 001 - 16 000 kg 

16 001 - 19 000 kg 

19 001 - 26 000 kg 

over 26 000 

o  Gross weight class (Road Tractor): 

 

 

3 501 - 7 000 kg 

over 7 000 

  Fifth digit: 

o  Type of transport (Own Account, Hire or Reward) 

Recording of weight of goods: 

Gross weight of goods is collected, i.e. containers swap bodies and pallets are excluded.  

Recording of journey data sent to Eurostat: 

Single stop: If in the same journey, more than one goods commodity is carried, we consider that 
journey as type 2. 

Multi stop: Multi-stop journeys are coded by consignments. This type of journey is considered when 
there is more than one goods commodity being carried or several stops during the journey. When the 
answer implies several stops, the journey is transformed into type 1 journeys; if the vehicle becomes 
empty, a new road freight transport operation is considered 

Collection/delivery: This type of journey is considered whenever there is a collection/delivery of 
goods with an unrecorded number of stops with short distances separating them. When retrieving 
data there are often the following situations: 

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1.  On the same journey, when an empty packaging retrieval occurs simultaneously (type of 
goods: 250), the registered number of kilometres travelled equals the total kilometres 
divided by the number of goods being carried. The calculation of the tonnes-kilometres is 
made in the same way as for type 2 journeys. 

2.  When there is no simultaneous retrieval of empty packaging, it is considered as origin the 
first point of departure and as the last the farthest one (not the last); it is registered the 
kilometres that were effectively travelled (usually, the sum of all the stages is huge), and the 
calculation of the tonnes-kilometres is made according to: weight * distance / 20. 

Estimation of maximum permissible laden weight: 

Maximum permissible laden weight is estimated by adding the gross weight of the vehicle and the 
gross weight of the trailers (or semi-trailer) used. 

Calculation of weighting factors: 

Weighting factor =

h =  stratum 

Nh = total number of vehicles adjusted for strata changes and out-of-scope vehicles 

nh = number of usable responses (vehicles with  activity + vehicles without activity) 

Non response: only effective responses are considered. Partial and non-responses are not treated. 

Wrong information in sample register(s): the information is corrected in the sampling frame. 

Vehicles without activity during the sampled period (due to sickness, repair, lack of work etc): are 
considered as effective responses. 

Post-stratification and sampling frame adjustment is used. 

Collection data is used to correct strata variables of sample units and adjust, in the same proportion, 
the distribution of total number of vehicles by strata. 

The out of scope vehicles are also eliminated from the sampling frame. Total number of vehicles is 
adjusted as well. 

Optional variables covered: 

  Vehicle empty kilometres 

  Type of cargo 

  Vehicle operator’s NACE category of activity 

  Axle configuration 

  Degree of loading of the vehicle 

Additional variables collected compared to the legal requirements: 

Environmental impact-related variables: 

Type of fuel used and fuel consumption. 

A1. Vehicle-related variables: 

 

 

 

possibility of using vehicles for combined transport (NO) 

axle configuration according to the nomenclature defined in the Regulation on road 
transport statistics (YES) 

vehicle operator’s NACE Rev. 2 at class level (four-digit level) (YES) 

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hhnN13 
 
 
 
 
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A2. Journey-related variables: 

 

 

 

place of loading, if any, of the road transport vehicle on another means of transport (NO) 

place of unloading, if any, of the road transport vehicle from another means of transport 
(NO) 

situation ‘fully loaded’ (procedure 2) or ‘not fully loaded’ (procedure 1) of the goods road 
transport vehicle during the journey in question, in terms of maximum volume of space 
used during the journey (procedure 0 = by convention for unladen journeys) (YES) 

A3. Goods-related variables: 

 

type of freight (Cargo types) as defined in the Regulation (YES) 

Methodologies used in road freight transport surveys in Member States, EFTA and 
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Main figures20152016Total number of relevant goods vehicles in the country98 78377 775Number of vehicles selected for initial sample and questionnaires dispatched to vehicle owners26 77428 346Number of cases where no vehicle activity was recorded during the sampled period but the vehicle could be considered as part of the active stock9 11410 091Number of cases classified as non-respondents2 4753 581Number of cases where sample register information was wrong and response could not be used4 8151 316Number of questionnaires used in analysis10 49813 358More information in Countries Specific Notes(https://circabc.europa.eu/w/browse/9eea25b6-ebf2-4961-aed3-6ab27fb95b74) 
 
 
 
 
 
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Romania 

Organisation responsible for the conducting the survey: 

National Statistical Institute) 

(Based on information referring to the first quarter of 2017 

Sampling register used for the survey 

Name of register: 

Vehicle Register 

Name of organisation who maintains the register: 

Romanian Road Authority 

Frequency of update: 

Quarterly 

Frequency of access to draw the samples: 

Once a quarter 

Arrangements for accessing the register: 

The information on vehicles is received quarterly from Romanian Road Authority on CD. Before the 
sample is extracted, the sampling frame of vehicles is updated based on information provided in the 
files of Romanian Road Authority, as well as, with the scrapped vehicles reported by owners of the 
vehicles. 

Information obtained from the register: 

Number of registration, type of vehicle (category of vehicle and subcategory of vehicle), year of 
manufacturing, maximum permissible weight, load capacity, number of axles of vehicle, type of 
transport (own account or hire or reward), name and address of the vehicle owner. 

Used in stratification: Type of transport, load capacity. 

Procedure for reminders: 

The transport operators are contacted by email or phone. 

The response rate is adequate. 

Sampling methodology 

Statistical unit: 

Tractive vehicle 

Types of units excluded: 

Vehicles with load capacity less than 3.5 tonnes, military vehicles, vehicles of public administrations, 
agricultural vehicles and vehicles older than 25 years. 

Time unit: 

1 week 

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Time units of quarter 1 of 2017 included in the survey: 

All (13 weeks) 

Stratification: 

The sample is stratified according to the following variables: 

  Statistical regions (8 classes): 

o  Nord-Est 

o  Sud-Est 

o  Sud - Muntenia 

o  Sud-Vest Oltenia 

o  Vest 

o  Nord-Vest 

o  Centru 

o  Bucuresti-Ilfov 

  Type of transport: 

o  hire or reward 

o  own account 

 

Load capacity (4 classes): 

o  3 500 - 7 500 kg 

o  7 501 - 12 000kg 

o  12 001 - 17 000 kg 

o  more than 17 000 kg 

The variable of stratification “Destination: national and international” has been dropped because this 
variable is no longer relevant. 

Example: “Stratum 213” 

- ‘2’ = statistical region: Sud-Est 

- ‘1’ = type of transport: hire or reward 

- ‘3’ = load capacity: 12 001 - 17 000 kg 

Recording of weight of goods: 

Gross weight of goods is collected, i.e. containers swap bodies and pallets are excluded. 

Recording of journey data sent to Eurostat: 

Single stop: For journeys with more than one commodity, only one record is created. Journeys with 
the same distance, same goods, same quantity, same place of loading and unloading are recorded 
on a single row in the questionnaire, mentioning the number of identical journeys, but in A2 are 
recorded all journeys. 

Multi stop: Multi-stop journeys are recorded by vertical stages. 

Calculations of weighting factors: 

Weighting factor =  

N = total number of vehicles in a stratum 

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nNC**13 
 
 
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n = number of vehicles selected for the sample 

C = correction factor computed for each stratum h as   

where: 

nh1 = number of vehicles with activity from stratum h 

nh2 = number of vehicle without activity from stratum h 

nh3 = number of refusal from stratum h 

nh4 = number of vehicle with uncertain activity from stratum h 

Example: Stratum h = ‘722’ 

Weighting factor =   = 205.748049 

N = 2402 vehicles 

n = 157 vehicles 

where: nh1=   68 vehicles 

nh2= 85 vehicles 

nh3=   1 vehicles 

nh4=   3 vehicles 

Optional variables covered: 

  Type of cargo 

  Vehicle operator’s NACE category of activity 

  Axle configuration 

  Degree of loading of the vehicle 

  Possibility of using vehicles for combined transport 

Additional variables collected compared to the legal requirements: 

Environmental impact-related variables: 

Quantity of fuel purchased. 

A1. Vehicle-related variables: 

 

 

 

possibility of using vehicles for combined transport (YES) 

axle configuration according to the nomenclature defined in the Regulation on road 
transport statistics (YES) 

vehicle operator’s NACE Rev. 2 at class level (four-digit level) (YES) 

A2. Journey-related variables: 

 

 

place of loading, if any, of the road transport vehicle on another means of transport 
(YES) 

place of unloading, if any, of the road transport vehicle from another means of transport 
(YES) 

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h3h2h1h4h3h2h1h1h3h1nnnnnnn*nnnh3h2h1h4h3h2h1h1h3h1nnnnnnn*nnn 
 
 
 
 
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 

situation ‘fully loaded’ (procedure 2) or ‘not fully loaded’ (procedure 1) of the goods road 
transport vehicle during the journey in question, in terms of maximum volume of space 
used during the journey (procedure 0 = by convention for unladen journeys) (YES) 

A3. Goods-related variables: 

 

type of freight (Cargo types) as defined in the Regulation (YES) 

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Main figures20152016Total number of relevant goods vehicles in the country97 506108 976Number of vehicles selected for initial sample and questionnaires dispatched to vehicle owners32 18332 190Number of cases where no vehicle activity was recorded during the sampled period but the vehicle could be considered as part of the active stock14 45213 499Number of cases classified as non-respondents1 2111 401Number of cases where sample register information was wrong and response could not be used1 7451 766Number of questionnaires used in analysis14 77515 524More information in Countries Specific Notes(https://circabc.europa.eu/w/browse/9eea25b6-ebf2-4961-aed3-6ab27fb95b74) 
 
 
 
 
 
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Slovenia 

Organisation responsible for the conducting the survey: 

Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia 

(Based on information referring to the first quarter of 2017) 

Sampling register used for the survey 

Name of register: 

Register of Road Vehicles 

Name of organisation who maintains the register: 

Ministry of Infrastructure and Spatial Planning 

Frequency of update: 

Continuously 

Frequency of access to draw the samples: 

Once a quarter 

Arrangements for accessing the register: 

The replication of the statistical version of the Register of Road Vehicles at the Ministry of 
Infrastructure and Spatial Planning is made on the last day of every month in compliance with the 
agreement between the Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia and the Ministry of 
Infrastructure and Spatial Planning and the Annual Programme of Statistical Surveys. 

Before each quarterly sampling, the Register of Motor Vehicles is matched with the Business 
Register of Slovenia to obtain information on activity and address for owners and users of vehicle. 

Information obtained from the register: 

Register of Motor Vehicles: identifier of the owner/user, type of the owner (used in the stratification), 
registration number, type of vehicle, body type, unladen weight (used in the stratification), maximum 
permissible laden weight (used in the stratification), made in year, number of axles, date of first 
registration, date of first registration in Slovenia, number of axles, type of fuel used. 

Business Register: main activity of the operator, name of the owner/user, address of the owner/user. 

Procedure for reminders: 

First reminder - 10 days after the observation 

Second reminder - 23 days after the observation 

Third reminder - telephone call 30–45 day after the observation to key respondents 

Sampling methodology 

Statistical unit: 

Tractive vehicle 

Types of units excluded: 

Agricultural vehicles, military vehicles, public service vehicles, special purpose vehicles and vehicles 

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belonging to users that could not be matched with the business register. 

Vehicles with load capacity below 2 000 kg. 

Time unit: 

1 week 

Time units of quarter 1 of 2017 included in the survey: 

All (13 weeks) 

Stratification: 

Strata were defined with the type of ownership (2 classes: legal entities, natural persons) and loading 
capacity (4 classes: 2.00 - 4.99, 5.00 - 9.99, 10.00 and more tonnes, road tractors). The allocation of 
units among the strata is proportional with slight corrections due to fact that the sample size in each 
stratum should be divisible by 13 (13 weeks in a quarter). 

Recording of weight of goods: 

Gross weight of goods is collected; containers and swap bodies are excluded, but pallets might be 
included.  

Recording of journey data sent to Eurostat: 

Single stop: In case of more than one type of goods in the same journey, the main type of goods 
carried is used for the classification of goods. However, total weight of all goods is recorded. 

Multi stop: In case of more than one type of goods in the same journey, the main type of goods 
carried is used for the classification of goods. However, total weight of all goods is recorded. Dataset 
A3 is set up with the assumption that goods loaded first are unloaded first (FIFO). 

Collection/delivery: In case of more than one type of goods in the same journey, the main type of 
goods carried is used for the classification of goods. However, total weight of all goods is recorded. 

Origin is the first place of loading or the first place from where the empty vehicle is set out to pick up 
goods. Destination is the furthest town in a circular journey. Empty kilometres are not recorded in A3 
or A2; however, they are included in A1_8_2. In case of collection/delivery in international journey, 
type 2 or simplified type 1 journey is used.  

Tonne-kilometres for type 3 journeys are calculated as follows: 

n 

DL 

WL 

stops number 

distance travelled loaded 

weight of goods loaded 

WC 

weight of goods collected 

Other variables: In case of usage of more than one trailer in the surveyed week, only information on 
the trailer used in majority of cases is collected. 

Calculation of weighting factors: 

Weights for each stratum are calculated as follows. 

Weights due to non-response: 

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nWCiWCnDLnWLiWLnDLAnini10106.2unitsineligibleofNumbereligibleofNumbersampleinunitsofNumberwNONR 
 
 
 
 
 
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Weights due to sample selection: 

Overall weight:  

Eligible units are units that respond to the questionnaire regardless of the activity of the vehicle. 

Ineligible units are units beyond the target population that were included in the sample. These 
include cases were the capacity of the vehicle was below 2 tonnes or the vehicle was temporarily or 
permanently withdrawn from the register. 

Vehicles with unknown addresses and other mistakes in the register, sold, leased or subcontracted 
vehicles and vehicles whose respondents refused to answer or dispatched unusable questionnaires 
are treated as non-response. 

Vehicles not performing transport during the sampled period (inactive vehicles) are treated as eligible 
units. 

Optional variables covered: 

  Vehicle empty kilometres 

  Type of cargo 

  Vehicle operator’s NACE category of activity 

  Axle configuration 

  Degree of loading of the vehicle 

Additional variables collected compared to the legal requirements: 

Environmental impact related variables: 

Type of fuel used and quantity of fuel purchased. 

A1. Vehicle-related variables: 

 

 

 

possibility of using vehicles for combined transport (NO) 

axle configuration according to the nomenclature defined in the Regulation on road 
transport statistics (YES) 

vehicle operator’s NACE Rev. 2 at class level (four-digit level) (YES) 

A2. Journey-related variables: 

 

 

 

place of loading, if any, of the road transport vehicle on another means of transport (NO) 

place of unloading, if any, of the road transport vehicle from another means of transport 
(NO) 

situation ‘fully loaded’ (procedure 2) or ‘not fully loaded’ (procedure 1) of the goods road 
transport vehicle during the journey in question, in terms of maximum volume of space 
used during the journey (procedure 0 = by convention for unladen journeys) (NO) 

A3. Goods-related variables: 

 

type of freight (Cargo types) as defined in the Regulation (YES) 

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sampleinunitsofNumberframeinunitsofNumberwSEL13nonrselOverallwww 
 
 
 
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Main figures20152016Total number of relevant goods vehicles in the country22 82123 606Number of vehicles selected for initial sample and questionnaires dispatched to vehicle owners8 3468 333Number of cases where no vehicle activity was recorded during the sampled period but the vehicle could be considered as part of the active stock1 4211 446Number of cases classified as non-respondents2 1742 255Number of cases where sample register information was wrong and response could not be used437489Number of questionnaires used in analysis4 3144 143More information in Countries Specific Notes(https://circabc.europa.eu/w/browse/9eea25b6-ebf2-4961-aed3-6ab27fb95b74) 
 
 
 
 
 
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Slovak Republic 

Organisation responsible for the conducting the survey: 

Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic 

(Based on information referring to the first quarter of 2017) 

Sampling register used for the survey 

Name of register: 

Vehicle Register and Register of operators 

Name of organisation who maintains the register: 

Ministry of Interior and Statistical Office 

Frequency of update: 

Permanently 

Frequency of access to draw the samples: 

Yearly 

Arrangements for accessing the register: 

Vehicle register: Annually taken over from administrative sources, Ministry of Interior. Sample survey 
is updated quarterly. 

Operator’s register (administrator Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic) is being currently updated. 

Identifier Code of operators is converted between register. 

Information obtained from the register: 

Vehicle register: Vehicle register mark, identifier of operators, type of vehicle, year of production, 
load capacity and date of input.  

Operators register: Identifier of operators, type of operators, name of operators, settlement code, 
settlement name, street and number, ZIP code, NACE code and date of input. 

Used in stratification: a low form of the vehicle owner (enterprise or tradesman), type of vehicle and 
loading capacity is used. 

In the frame of sample survey the region is taking into sampling. 

The region is not a criterion for strata. 

Procedure for reminders: 

Respondent has to send the filled questionnaire in written or electronic form to the Statistical Office 
within 8 days after the end of the surveyed week. 

First reminder: If the respondent does not fulfil his obligation within the deadline, a first reminder is 
sent 2 weeks after the surveyed week. 

Second reminder: Sent 2 weeks after the 1st reminder. 

Reminders are automatically generated by the IT system according to the date of the surveyed week. 

The response rate is adequate. 

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Sampling methodology 

Statistical unit: 

Tractive vehicle 

Types of units excluded: 

None 

Time unit: 

1 week 

Time units of quarter 1 of 2017 included in the survey: 

All (13 weeks) 

Stratification: 

Since 2017, the sample has been increased from 10 400 to 13 000 vehicles per year. 

Recording of weight of goods: 

Gross-gross weight of goods is collected, i.e. containers are included. 

Estimation of maximum permissible laden weight: 

Maximum permissible laden weight is estimated as 1.25 * loading capacity. 

Calculation of weighting factors: 

Weighting factor =

 or 

 (depending on register quality) 

N = number of vehicles in the register (in a stratum) 

S = number of questionnaires used in analysis (in A1 dataset) 

S’ = number of vehicles for which no activity was recorded, but vehicles could be considered as 
active (holiday, no work, etc.) 

Optional variables covered: 

  Vehicle empty kilometres 

  Type of cargo 

  Vehicle operator’s NACE category of activity 

  Axle configuration 

  Degree of loading of the vehicle 

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SN13'13SSNLoading capacity1 1 1Enterprises/Business registerlorriesof 1 to 1 499 tonnes2 1 1Sole entrepreneurs/Tradesman registerlorriesof  1 to 1 499 tonnes1 1 2Enterprises/Business registerlorriesof 1 500 – 4 999 tonnes2 1 2Sole entrepreneurs/Tradesman registerlorriesof 1 500 – 4 999 tonnes1 1 3Enterprises/Business registerlorriesof 5 000 – 9 999 tonnes2 1 3Sole entrepreneurs/Tradesman registerlorriesof 5 000 – 9 999 tonnes1 1 4Enterprises/Business registerlorriesof 10 000 tonnes and more2 1 4Sole entrepreneurs/Tradesman registerlorriesof 10 000 tonnes and more1 2 5Enterprises/Business registerroad tractor2 2 5Sole entrepreneurs/Tradesman registerroad tractor 
 
 
 
 
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Additional variables collected compared to the legal requirements: 

Environmental impact-related variables: 

Type of fuel used and fuel consumption. 

A1. Vehicle-related variables: 

 

 

 

possibility of using vehicles for combined transport (NO) 

axle configuration according to the nomenclature defined in the Regulation on road 
transport statistics (YES) 

vehicle operator’s NACE Rev. 2 at class level (four-digit level) (YES) 

A2. Journey-related variables: 

 

 

 

place of loading, if any, of the road transport vehicle on another means of transport (NO) 

place of unloading, if any, of the road transport vehicle from another means of transport 
(NO) 

situation ‘fully loaded’ (procedure 2) or ‘not fully loaded’ (procedure 1) of the goods road 
transport vehicle during the journey in question, in terms of maximum volume of space 
used during the journey (procedure 0 = by convention for unladen journeys) (NO) 

A3. Goods-related variables: 

 

type of freight (Cargo types) as defined in the Regulation (YES) 

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Main figures20152016Total number of relevant goods vehicles in the country137 617143 664Number of vehicles selected for initial sample and questionnaires dispatched to vehicle owners10 40010 400Number of cases where no vehicle activity was recorded during the sampled period but the vehicle could be considered as part of the active stock2 3142 931Number of cases classified as non-respondents1 3601 372Number of cases where sample register information was wrong and response could not be used3 2501 532Number of questionnaires used in analysis3 4764 565More information in Countries Specific Notes(https://circabc.europa.eu/w/browse/9eea25b6-ebf2-4961-aed3-6ab27fb95b74) 
 
 
 
 
 
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Finland 

Organisation responsible for the conducting the survey: 

Statistics Finland 

(Based on information referring to the first quarter of 2017) 

Sampling register used for the survey 

Name of register: 

1) Vehicle Register 

2) Membership register 

Name of organisations who maintains the register: 

1) Finnish Transport Safety Agency (Trafi) 

2) SKAL-S (International Road Carriers of Finland – Association of Contract Operators in Finland – 
Association of Tank Operators in Finland) 

Frequency of update: 

Constantly 

Frequency of access to draw the samples: 

1) Once a quarter 

2) Twice a year 

Arrangements for accessing the register: 

An agreement for co-operation in statistical issues with Finnish Transport Safety Agency and with 
SKAL-S. 

Information obtained from the register: 

1) The vehicle’s register number, the vehicle holder’s name and address, the vehicle holder’s register 
code (if not a natural person), the vehicle holder’s language, date of first registration, model, made, 
type of vehicle, body type, type of transport, self-weight, load capacity, maximum permissible laden 
weight, type of haul device (hook/fifth wheel), number of axles, engine power. 

Used for stratification: Type of transport (own account, hire or reward), maximum permissible laden 
weight (over 3.5 tonnes and up to 6 tonnes, over 6 tonnes), type of vehicle (lorry, articulated vehicle, 
road train). 

2) Membership of SKAL-S, which is also used for stratification 

Procedure for reminders: 

Questionnaires for four successive survey periods (two weeks altogether) are sent simultaneously. 
Reminders are sent like described below: 

 

 

 

If a vehicle holder does not respond in 3 days after the due date for return of the 
questionnaire, first reminder is sent out by post. 

If a vehicle holder still does not respond within 2 weeks of the previous reminder, 
second reminder is sent by post. 

If a vehicle holder still does not respond within 2 weeks of the previous reminder, third 
reminder is sent by e-mail.  

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 

If a vehicle holder still does not respond within one week of the previous reminder, 
fourth reminder is sent by text message. 

From 2014 to 2016 response rate has risen from 58 to 63 % while the share of questionnaires used 
in analysis has risen only by one percent (from 53 to 54 %). We have noticed that share of 
incomplete answers has also risen. By incomplete answers we mean that: 

  Respondent has only visited web questionnaire but not filled in anything 

  Filled in only contact information 

  Filled in that vehicle was in use, but no journeys was given 

  Etc.  

Incomplete answers can’t be used in estimation of the activity of the vehicles. We planned to contact 
all those who haven’t answered completely by phone and to study for what reasons respondents 
discontinue filling in the questionnaire. Due to the lack of resources this contacting has been 
delayed. There is also an ongoing project where we collect paradata from internet questionnaire. We 
collect for example the following type of data: 

 

 

 

 

 

how much time respondent uses for certain questions 

how many times respondent changes the value of the answer for certain questions 

how many times info-box is opened 

how much time is used to read info-box 

how many times validation rules are not met 

We hope that paradata can reveal us if there are any difficult questions for respondents to answer. 

Sampling methodology 

Statistical unit: 

Tractive vehicle 

Types of units excluded: 

Vans whose maximum permissible laden weight is 3.5 tonnes or less. Furthermore, military vehicles 
and vehicles which are not especially designed to transport goods such as museum vehicles, fire 
engines and special vehicles. 

Estimations for the vehicle-km (or performance) not covered by the survey: 

Vans, whose maximum permissible laden weight is 3.5 tonnes or less, had 5.217 million vehicle 
kilometres in 2008 (see 2010 EU-GRANTS project ‘Estimating vehicle kilometres with odometer 
readings, Eurostat No 30402.2009.004–2009.401, Table 17.) 

Time unit: 

3 days for non-members of SKAL-S, 4 days for members of SKAL-S. These days make a period of 
one week. Every other week starts with 3 days and every other week starts with 4 days. 

Time unit of quarter 1 of 2017 included in the survey: 

12 weeks (out of possible 12 weeks and 6 days), i.e. all 

Stratification: 

The population frame consists of lorries registered in Finland. The sample is drawn from this frame. 
The sample is spread evenly over all days of the week and the sample is self-weighting with respect 
to seasonal effects as well as to the regional coverage of 20 regions. 

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The sample is stratified by: 

 

 

if the holder of the vehicle belongs to SKAL-S (2) 

type of transport (2) 

  maximum permissible laden weight (2) 

 

type of vehicle (3) 

All together there are 16 strata: 

1) non-member of SKAL-S, own account, MPLW over 3.5 tonnes and up to 6 tonnes, lorry 

2) non-member of SKAL-S, own account, MPLW over 6 tonnes, lorry 

3) non-member of SKAL-S, own account, MPLW over 6 tonnes, articulated vehicle 

4) non-member of SKAL-S, own account, MPLW over 6 tonnes, road train 

5) non-member of SKAL-S, hire or reward, MPLW over 3.5 tonnes and up to 6 tonnes, lorry 

6) non-member of SKAL-S, hire or reward, MPLW over 6 tonnes, lorry 

7) non-member of SKAL-S, hire or reward, MPLW over 6 tonnes, articulated vehicle 

8) non-member of SKAL-S, hire or reward, MPLW over 6 tonnes, road train 

9) member of SKAL-S, own account, MPLW over 3.5 tonnes and up to 6 tonnes, lorry 

10) member of SKAL-S, own account, MPLW over 6 tonnes, lorry 

11) member of SKAL-S, own account, MPLW over 6 tonnes, articulated vehicle 

12) member of SKAL-S, own account, MPLW over 6 tonnes, road train 

13) member of SKAL-S, hire or reward, MPLW over 3.5 tonnes and up to 6 tonnes, lorry 

14) member of SKAL-S, hire or reward, MPLW over 6 tonnes, lorry 

15) member of SKAL-S, hire or reward, MPLW over 6 tonnes, articulated vehicle 

16) member of SKAL-S, hire or reward, MPLW over 6 tonnes, road train 

Stratum 1 and 9 are combined and marked as stratum 1 when data are sent to Eurostat. This is done 
similarly to strata 2 and 10, to strata 3 and 11 and so on. 

Recording of weight of goods: 

Gross weight of goods is collected, i.e. containers, swap bodies and pallets are excluded. 

Recording of journey data sent to Eurostat: 

Single stop: The commodity class of the goods that has the biggest weight is being used. 

Multi stop: Multi-stop journeys are coded by consignments (the first place of loading for the goods 
and the last place of unloading of the goods are being used). The weight of goods is reported when 
biggest during the journey. 

Collection/delivery: If there are more than 4 stops for loading/unloading during the journey, journey is 
classified as a collection or distribution journey. The first place of loading of the goods and the last 
place of unloading is being used.  The weight of goods is reported when the biggest during the 
journey. Tonne-kilometres are divided by 2. 

Estimation of maximum permissible laden weight: 

If the maximum permissible laden weight for an articulated vehicle or a road train is not given by the 
holder, then it is estimated. In estimation we use a table which has means of weights for different 
axle combinations of vehicles from an earlier time period. 

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Calculation of weighting factors: 

Strata 1–8 are exactly the same as strata 9–16 except for one difference: in strata 1–8 the first 
variable has the value ‘non-member of SKAL-S’ whereas in strata 9–16 it has the value ‘member of 
SKAL-S’. When weighing factors are calculated, the first variable is not taken into account. In other 
words, stratum 1 and 9 are combined and the weighing factor is calculated to that group, and this is 
done similarly to strata 2 and 10, to strata 3 and 11 and so on. 

Weighting factor =

T = Time factor 

N = number of all vehicles (in a stratum) 

R = number of respondents (active and non-active in a stratum) 

Optional variables covered: 

  Vehicle empty kilometres 

  Type of cargo 

  Axle configuration 

  Degree of loading of the vehicle 

  Possibility of using vehicles for combined transport 

Additional variables collected compared to the legal requirements: 

Environmental impact-related variables: none 

A1. Vehicle-related variables: 

 

 

 

possibility of using vehicles for combined transport (YES) 

axle configuration according to the nomenclature defined in the Regulation on road 
transport statistics (YES) 

vehicle operator’s NACE Rev. 2 at class level (four-digit level) (YES) 

A2. Journey-related variables: 

 

 

 

place of loading, if any, of the road transport vehicle on another means of transport (NO) 

place of unloading, if any, of the road transport vehicle from another means of transport 
(NO) 

situation ‘fully loaded’ (procedure 2) or ‘not fully loaded’ (procedure 1) of the goods road 
transport vehicle during the journey in question, in terms of maximum volume of space 
used during the journey (procedure 0 = by convention for unladen journeys) (YES) 

A3. Goods-related variables: 

 

type of freight (Cargo types) as defined in the Regulation (YES) 

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RNT 
 
 
 
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Main figures (¹)20152016Total number of relevant goods vehicles in the country104 997106 235Number of vehicles selected for initial sample and questionnaires dispatched to vehicle owners10 00010 000Number of cases where no vehicle activity was recorded during the sampled period but the vehicle could be considered as part of the active stock2 4332 456Number of cases classified as non-respondents4 6163 957Number of cases where sample register information was wrong and response could not be used552629Number of questionnaires used in analysis2 7942 949(¹) Provisional dataMore information in Countries Specific Notes(https://circabc.europa.eu/w/browse/9eea25b6-ebf2-4961-aed3-6ab27fb95b74) 
 
 
 
 
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Sweden 

Organisation responsible for the conducting the survey: 

The Swedish Agency for Transport Policy Analysis (Trafikanalys) 

(Based on information referring to the first quarter of 2017) 

Sampling register used for the survey 

Name of register: 

Vehicle Register (VR), Commercial Traffic Register (CTR), Central register of corporations (FDB) 
and the vehicle-kilometre database 

Name of organisation who maintains the register: 

National Road Administration (NRA) and Statistics Sweden 

Frequency of update: 

  VR, CTR and FDB: daily 

  Vehicle-kilometre data: yearly 

Frequency of access to draw the samples: 

Once a quarter 

Arrangements for accessing the register: 

Transport Analysis is the responsible authority for the survey and they have since year 2009 
commissioned the company Statisticon AB to produce the survey. Statisticon AB currently has the 
option for this production until reference year 2018. The vehicle register data, where the unit is a 
vehicle, is delivered from the NRA to the producer at specified dates. For quarter Q the data is 
received 1.5 months in advance. The specific dates each year are: 

  First quarter: November 15 (previous year) 

  Second quarter: February 15 

  Third quarter: May 15 

  Fourth quarter: August 15 

The sampling frame is constructed based on the Vehicle Register data. In the process various steps 
are taken, including omitting vehicles not belonging to the target population. One other step includes 
merging data from the central register of corporations and only keeping those vehicles belonging to 
formally registered companies. Yet another step includes merging register based data on driving 
distance (kilometres travelled) previous year for each vehicle based on information from the vehicle- 
kilometre database. 

Information obtained from the register: 

Most of the information regarding a vehicle is obtained from the Vehicle Register. Important variables 
are: vehicle registration number, organisation number of the enterprise/owner of the vehicle, name 
and address, year of first registration, vehicle in use/not in use, type of transport (hire/reward or own 
account), number of axles for the vehicle, vehicle body code plus the information is used in the 
stratification as follows: 

  County codes where the vehicle is registered are used to get the NUTS 2-level codes 

  Maximum permissible laden weight and the service weight of the vehicle. The difference 

between those two concepts gives the vehicle load capacity, which is used in the 

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stratification 

  From the Commercial Traffic Register we obtain the number of permits for international 
traffic for an enterprise. This variable is used to form a stratification variable whether the 
vehicle has a permit for international traffic or not 

  The variable kilometres travelled previous year is also used in the stratification 

  Age for the vehicle (used in the stratification) 

Procedure for reminders: 

First reminder: sent out by post after one week and 3 days after the due date. 

Second reminder: sent by post after another week. 

Third reminder: performed by telephone after another week. The telephone reminder process 
continues for two weeks. 

A normal figure for the response rate is around 65-70 percent. Considering the potential effect the 
non-response might have on the estimates, we judge the response rate to be satisfactory for the 
purpose of the survey. 

Sampling methodology 

Statistical unit: 

Tractive vehicle 

Types of units excluded: 

Vehicles with load capacity under 3.5 tonnes are excluded. 

Vehicles 30 years and older and vehicles that are not operating. 

Some body type codes for which transport of goods is not possible, such as ambulances, hearses, 
breakdown lorries, fire engines (military vehicles are not included in the Vehicle Register). 

Vehicles owned by companies that are not registered in the central register of corporations. 

Time unit: 

1 week 

Time unit of quarter 1 of 2017 included in the survey: 

All (13 weeks) 

Stratification: 

The lorries in the sampling frame are stratified in 52 strata. The stratification is done with respect to 
several variables. The first variable is whether the lorry owner has a permit for international traffic or 
not. If the owner (i.e. the company) has a permit for international traffic the lorry or the lorries are 
categorized to international stratum, otherwise to national stratum. There are 35 national and 17 
international strata. The next stratification variable is where the lorry is registered. The eight NUTS2-
regions in Sweden categorized into 5 geographic areas according to the following: 

1.  SE11 and SE12  

2.  SE21 (without the island Gotland) and SE23 

3.  SE22 

4.  SE31, SE32 och SE33 

5.  Gotland 

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Due to special circumstances regarding the island Gotland it is kept as a region of its own. 

For the 35 national strata the stratification is done according to the following principles: 

  The lorries are geographically divided according to the geographic regions above  

 

In every geographic region, except Gotland, the lorries are divided into two groups according 
to their age; lorries 0–5 years old and lorries older than 5 years old 

  Within each age group the lorries are divided into six subgroups according to total kilometres 
travelled per year (register variable) and load capacity (register variable) according to: 

o  Lorries with load capacity up to 13 tonnes (regardless of yearly distance travelled) 

o  Lorries with yearly distance travelled 100 000 km or less and load capacity 13 - 16 

tonnes 

o  Lorries with yearly distance travelled 100 000 km or less and load capacity over 13 

tonnes 

o  Lorries with yearly distance travelled more than 100 000 km and load capacity over 13 

tonnes 

 

Lorries registered in Gotland are divided into two groups according to load capacity; 13 
tonnes or less and over 13 tonnes 

For the 17 international strata the stratification is done according to the following principles. In a 
first step road tractors that fulfil the following criteria are placed in a separate stratum (200000): 

 

Lorry owned by company with 16 or more permits for international traffic.  

  The lorry is younger than 11 years old 

  The lorry is registered in NUTS2 region SE11 or SE12 or the counties Blekinge or Västra 

Götaland and has a yearly total distance travelled over 100 000 km and a load capacity over 
10 tonnes 

  The lorry is registered in the county Skåne or Halland and has a load capacity over 10 

tonnes 

In a second step the additional 16 strata are created by dividing the lorries into four geographic 
regions according to: 

  NUTS2 region SE11, SE12 och SE21 

  NUTS2 region SE22 

  NUTS2 region SE23 

  NUTS2 region SE31,SE32 och SE33 

For each geographic region, road tractors are divided into a separate stratum regardless of yearly 
distance travelled or load capacity. The remaining lorries are divided into three strata according to 
yearly distance travelled and load capacity according to: 

 

 

 

Lorries with yearly distance travelled 100 000 km or less and load capacity 10 tonnes or less 

Lorries with yearly distance travelled 100 000 km or less and load capacity 10 tonnes or 
more 

Lorries with yearly distance travelled more than 100 000 km 

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The 35 national strata: 

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NrStratum codeGeographic divisionAgeYearly distance travelled (km)Load capacity (Kg)1110101SE11, SE120–-5 yearRegardless of distance0–13 00021101120–5 year0–100 00013 001–16 00031101130–5 year0–100 00016 001+41101220–5 year100 001+13 001+51102016+ yearRegardless of distance0–13 00061102126+ year0–100 00013 001–16 00071102136+ year0–100 00016 001+81102226+ year100 001+13 001+9120101SE21 exkl. Gotland, SE230–5 yearRegardless of distance0–13 000101201120–5 year0–100 00013 001–16 000111201130–5 year0–100 00016 001+121201220–5 year100 001+13 001+131202016+ yearRegardless of distance0–13 000141202126+ year0–100 00013 001–16 000151202136+ year0–100 00016 001+161202226+ year100 001+13 001+17130101SE220–5 yearRegardless of distance0–13 000181301120–5 year0–100 00013 001–16 000191301130–5 year0–100 00016 001+201301220–5 year100 001+13 001+211302016+ yearRegardless of distance0–13 000221302126+ year0–100 00013 001–16 000231302136+ year0–100 00016 001+241302226+ year100 001+13 001+25140101SE31, SE32, SE330–5 yearRegardless of distance0–13 000261401120–5 year0–100 00013 001–16 000271401130–5 year0–100 00016 001+281401220–5 year100 001+13 001–16 000291401230–5 year100 001+16 001+301402016+ yearRegardless of distance0–13 000311402126+ year0–100 00013 001–16 000321402136+ year0–100 00016 001+331402226+ year100 001+13 001+34150001GotlandRegardless of ageRegardless of distance0 –13 00035150002Regardless of ageRegardless of distance13 001+ 
 
 
 
 
 
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The 17 international strata: 

Recording of weight of goods: 

Gross weight of goods is collected, i.e. containers, swap bodies and pallets are excluded. However, 
for journeys with no goods but a container, the information to the respondents is to register the 
weight of the container and use NST-code 16. 

Recording of journey data sent to Eurostat: 

Single stop: The respondent is allowed to record the main type of goods if there are several types of 
goods. Otherwise the respondent will record mixed goods for such a journey. 

Multi stop: Multi-stop journeys are coded by consignments. The respondent records each basic 
transport operation in the questionnaire. These records are then recalculated to journey level by the 
producer. The method used can be described as follows: the kilometres driven for the total journey is 
calculated, the main type of goods (in respect of kilos) is decided and then a formula (see below) 
recalculates the average weight on the journey level. The exact figures in kilos are used in the 
calculations. 

A / B = C 

A = Tonne-kilometres for each basic transport operation is calculated and summed up 

B = Kilometres driven on the journey 

C = Average tonnes for the journey 

Tonne-kilometres will be the same regardless of which file, A2 or A3, that is used for their calculation. 

Regarding journey type 2 (multi-stop-journeys), we use the principle that if a trailer was used for the 
first consignment of the journey a trailer was used for the entire journey. 

Collection/delivery: In the Swedish survey we allow the respondents to decide if the journey can be 
seen upon as a collection and/or distribution round (c/d). If the journey consists of five or more stops 
the respondent is allowed to give information on the journey as a whole. The usual cases are for 
example deliveries of petrol and oil or rounds for collection of milk. The respondent is asked to 
indicate the c/d-round with a “D” for distribution or “U” for collection or “DU” for combined 
distribution/collection rounds in the questionnaire and also the approximate number of stops. If the 

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NrStratum codeGeographic divisionType of lorryYearly distance travelled (km)Load capacity (Kg)3620000037211000SE11, SE12 och SE21Road tractor not belonging to stratum 200000Regardless of distanceRegardless of load capacity38212011SE11, SE12 och SE21Other lorries0–100 0000–10 00039212012SE11, SE12 Other lorries0–100 00010 001+40212020SE11, SE12 Other lorries100 001+Regardless of load capacity41221000SE22Road tractor not belonging to stratum 200000Regardless of distanceRegardless of load capacity42222011SE22Other lorries0–100 0000–10 00043222012SE22Other lorries0–100 00010 001+44222020SE22Other lorries100 001+Regardless of load capacity45231000SE23Road tractor not belonging to stratum 200000Regardless of distanceRegardless of load capacity46232011SE23Other lorries0–100 0000–10 00047232012SE23Other lorries0–100 00010 001+48232020SE23Other lorries100 001+Regardless of load capacity49241000SE31, SE32 och SE33Road tractor not belonging to stratum 200000Regardless of distanceRegardless of load capacity50242011SE31, SE32 Other lorries0–100 0000–10 00051242012SE31, SE32 Other lorries0–100 00010 001+52242020SE31, SE32 Other lorries100 001+Regardless of load capacity 
 
 
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journey is considered as a c/d-round the respondent is asked to indicate the total weight for the c/d-
round as a whole, the total kilometres driven during the c/d-round and the main commodity group. In 
the instructions to our respondents it is stated that the c/d-round is considered to start at the first 
loading point and finished at the last unloading point. This means that the possible empty leg must 
be recorded as a separate journey before and/or after the c/d-round. The information from the 
Swedish survey in the A2 file and the A3 file is the same regarding type 3 journeys. The tonne-
kilometres are calculated according to the principles in the manual vol 1 2016 in section 6.5. More 
specifically, for delivery rounds (only) the type 1-principle is used. For collection rounds (only) the 
type 2-principle is used. For combined delivery and collection rounds the type 5-principle is used. 

The respondents are asked to fill in the UN-number instead of the ADR-number for hazardous 
goods. The UN-number is then converted into ADR-number. 

Other variables: Regarding trailers we allow the respondent to record the most common trailer or 
combination of trailers used during the week for measurement. 

Calculation of weighting factors: 

The weighting factor is based on the methodology often called straight expansion within strata. 
However, since 2014 the weighting factor is multiplied with an inflation factor that accounts for false 
reporting of no activity. False reporting means that for a certain vehicle the reply is that no activity 
was performed during the measurement week, when in fact activity was performed, i.e. a false reply. 
Inflating the weighting factors leads to a raise in the estimates with about 30 percent. These higher 
levels are better estimates of the true levels of the parameters, e.g. total km driven. 

Weighting factor = 

h = is the index for stratum, h=1,2,….,H (and H=52) 

Nh = the number of vehicles in stratum h 

mh = the number of responding vehicles in stratum h. A vehicle is regarded as responding if it 
belongs to category B1:5 (vehicles responding with journey data) or B1:6 (vehicles responding 
without journey) 

g = is the index for stratum in the help survey g=1,2,…,G (and G=11). 

wg = an inflation factor that account for false reporting of no activity 

Remark regarding Nh: For a certain quarter the number of vehicles in a stratum is taken from the 
following quarter. Example: for quarter 1 the numbers of vehicles in a stratum is taken from the frame 
from quarter 2. The rationale behind this is that the frame for Q2 originates from February 15, i.e. the 
midpoint of Q1 in time. The number of vehicles at the midpoint of Q1 is a better source for the 
population size than the number of vehicles in the frame for Q1 which is originated from November 
15 the previous year. This method agrees with the suggested method in the reference manual vol 1 
2016 chapter 7.2.2. 

Remark regarding wg: A parallel help survey called the No Activity Survey (NAS) is performed 
together with the ordinary Road Freight Survey (RFS). The target populations are the same and the 
same frame is used in both surveys. The sample size in the NAS is 500 vehicles each quarter and in 
the RFS about 3 000 each quarter. The stratification in the NAS is based on company characteristics 
rather than vehicle characteristics which are used in the RFS. If a vehicle is selected in the RFS it is 
non-eligible in the NAS for one year. The reason for the NAS is that there are (strong) indications 
that the amount of no activity is too large in the RFS Survey. If a vehicle falsely reports no activity, 
when in fact journeys were performed, the estimates of e.g. total km driven will be underestimated. In 
the NAS, performed by telephone, only one question is posed: “Did you use the vehicle for goods 
transportations last week”. Since only one question is posed we believe that an accurate answer is 
obtained. Based on each survey, NAS and RFS, the proportion of vehicles with activity and no 
activity can be estimated. The ratio between the two estimates of proportion of vehicles with activity 

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ghhwmN13 
 
 
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forms an inflation factor wg. If, for example, the proportion of vehicles with activity in the NAS is 0.85 
and 0.70 in the RFS (in a certain stratum), then the inflation factor is wg = 0.85/0.7 = 1.21, i.e. a raise 
of 21 %. Since the sample size in the NAS is fairly small the inflation factors can vary between 
quarters. A stabilizing procedure is used. For a certain quarter Q a weighted average of the inflation 
factors from year t, t-1 and t-2 is calculated. One (weighted) inflation factor wg is calculated for each 
stratum g and is multiplied with the straight expansion weight 13*(Nh/mh). Since the stratification is 
different in both surveys the weighting factors will not be constant within a stratum h. Hence no 
weighting factors can be presented in the supplementary table B1. 

Estimation of maximum permissible laden weight: 

The variable maximum permissible laden weight regarding the vehicle is register based information. 
The maximum permissible laden weight for the trailer or semi-trailer is collected through the 
questionnaire. If no trailer or semi-trailer is used the maximum permissible laden weight registered in 
the A2 dataset (variable A1.4) is thus only based on register information. If a trailer or semi-trailer is 
used, the maximum permissible laden weight for the entire vehicle configuration is calculated as the 
sum of the vehicle and trailer/semi-trailer maximum permissible laden weight. 

Optional variables covered: 

  Vehicle empty kilometres 

  Type of cargo 

  Vehicle operator’s NACE category of activity 

  Axle configuration 

  Degree of loading of the vehicle 

Additional variables collected compared to the legal requirements: 

Environmental impact-related variables: 

Type of fuel used. 

A1. Vehicle-related variables: 

 

 

 

possibility of using vehicles for combined transport (NO) 

axle configuration according to the nomenclature defined in the Regulation on road 
transport statistics (YES) 

vehicle operator’s NACE Rev. 2 at class level (four-digit level) (YES) 

A2. Journey-related variables: 

 

 

 

place of loading, if any, of the road transport vehicle on another means of transport 
(YES) 

place of unloading, if any, of the road transport vehicle from another means of transport 
(YES) 

situation ‘fully loaded’ (procedure 2) or ‘not fully loaded’ (procedure 1) of the goods road 
transport vehicle during the journey in question, in terms of maximum volume of space 
used during the journey (procedure 0 = by convention for unladen journeys) (YES) 

A3. Goods-related variables: 

 

type of freight (Cargo types) as defined in the Regulation (YES) 

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Main figures20152016Total number of relevant goods vehicles in the country61 52162 453Number of vehicles selected for initial sample and questionnaires dispatched to vehicle owners11 60711 627Number of cases where no vehicle activity was recorded during the sampled period but the vehicle could be considered as part of the active stock2 9432 806Number of cases classified as non-respondents3 9694 182Number of cases where sample register information was wrong and response could not be used501612Number of questionnaires used in analysis4 1944 027More information in Countries Specific Notes(https://circabc.europa.eu/w/browse/9eea25b6-ebf2-4961-aed3-6ab27fb95b74) 
 
 
 
 
 
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United Kingdom (national) 

Organisation responsible for the conducting the survey: 

Department for Transport (DfT) 

(Based on information referring to the first quarter of 2017) 

Sampling register used for the survey 

Name of register: 

Driver Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) for GB & NI-registered vehicles 

Name of organisation who maintains the register: 

DVLA 

Frequency of update: 

Ongoing 

Frequency of access to draw the samples: 

Quarterly (for both Great Britain and Northern Ireland vehicles) 

Arrangements for accessing the register: 

A quarterly sample is drawn from DVLA licensing records based on an agreed specification for the 
proportion of vehicles required in each stratum, which are then divided into the desired weekly 
sample. The process is the same for both GB & NI vehicles but NI vehicles are administered and 
sampled separately. 

Information obtained from the register: 

Name and contact details of the vehicle owner; fuel type; Gross train weight; NUTS1 region of 
registration; propulsion code; wheel plan code; taxation class; body type code; tipper; year of first 
registration, unladen weight and articulated or rigid vehicle type. 

Information used in stratification: NUTS1 region of registration and gross train weight, articulated or 
rigid vehicle type. 

Procedure for reminders: 

First reminder: sent 2.5 weeks after the end of the survey week by email. 

Second reminder: sent 5.5 weeks after the end of the survey week by email. 

Third reminder: 7.5 weeks after the end of the survey week by phone. 

The response rate is adequate. 

Sampling methodology 

Statistical unit: 

Tractive vehicle 

Types of units excluded: 

Vehicles weighing less than 3.5 tonnes maximum permissible laden weight and certain vehicles with 
invalid body type codes e.g. street cleansing vehicles, ambulances, snow ploughs, etc. 

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Time unit: 

1 week 

Time unit of quarter 1 of 2017 included in the survey: 

All (13 weeks) 

Stratification: 

The sample is stratified according to vehicle type and traffic area. 

1. Vehicle weight group: 

  Rigid: 3.5 to 7.5 tonnes, 7.5 to 15 tonnes, 15 to 18 tonnes, 18 to 26 tonnes, over 26 

tonnes 

  Articulated: 3.5 to 26 tonnes, 26 to 34 tonnes, 34 to 38 tonnes, 38 to 40 tonnes, over 40 

tonnes 

2. Government Office Region (NUTS1) 

  North East 

  North West 

  Yorkshire & Humberside 

  East Midlands 

  West Midlands 

  East of England 

 

London 

  South East 

  South West 

  Wales 

  Scotland 

  Northern Ireland 

Recording of weight of goods: 

Gross-gross weight of goods is collected, i.e. containers, swap bodies and pallets are included.  

Recording journey data sent to Eurostat: 

Single stop: If a vehicle is carrying more than one type of good, when the largest component is at 
least 75 % of the total consignment weight the largest component determines the type of good 
carried. Otherwise the type of good will be recorded as groupage. The weight is the sum of all the 
consignments for the journey. 

Multi stop: Where there are fewer than 4 stops, we collect the details of each leg. We provide 
records, coded as journey type 1, because our system requires that the journey to consignment 
relationship is a 1 to 1 relationship. 

Collection/delivery: As for a single stop journey, if a vehicle is carrying more than one type of good, 
when the largest component is at least 75 % of the total consignment weight the largest component 
determines the type of good carried. Otherwise, the type of good will be recorded as groupage. 

For collection journeys, weight=goods collected. 

For delivery journeys, weight=goods delivered. 

For journeys with both deliveries and collections, but more deliveries, weight=goods delivered. 

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For journeys with both deliveries and collections, but more collections, weight=goods collected. 

For journeys with equal deliveries and collections, weight=goods delivered+goods collected. 

Other variables: For Northern Ireland registered vehicles’ activity, the domestic survey methodology 
is used for recording international activity. 

Calculation of weighting factors: 

Weighting factor = 

N = Number of vehicles in the register (in a stratum) 

S = Achieved sample count (in a stratum) 

Two strata have relatively small sample sizes (artics up to 26 tonnes and artics 38-40 tonnes). To 
smooth the estimates, these strata have been merged with two others (artics 26-34 tonnes and artics 
34-38 respectively) and the weighting factor calculated as: 

w1 = N1/n1.[(N1+N2) / (r1.N1/n1+r2.N2/n2)] 

N1=number of vehicles in the register in stratum 1 

n1=number of vehicles sampled in stratum 1 

r1=achieved sample count in stratum 1 

The achieved sample includes the following returns: 

1. Vehicles used during the survey week 

2. Vehicles unused during the survey week for the following reasons: 

  On holiday 

 

In for MOT, service or repair 

  With no driver 

  With no work 

  Doing site work 

  Scrapped vehicles 

  Unlicensed vehicles 

The achieved sample excludes the following returns: 

  Vehicle sold during the reference week 

  Vehicle stolen during the reference week 

  Vehicle on multi-hire 

  Form not delivered 

  Refusal 

  Respondent excused (for example when vehicle only used for personal use) 

Optional variables covered: 

  Vehicle empty kilometres 

  Axle configuration 

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  Degree of loading of the vehicle 

Additional variables collected compared to the legal requirements: 

Environmental impact-related variables: 

Type of fuel used and fuel consumption. Air pollution emissions caused by road freight is estimated 
based on the fuel purchased data collected. 

A1. Vehicle-related variables: 

 

 

 

possibility of using vehicles for combined transport (NO) 

axle configuration according to the nomenclature defined in the Regulation on road 
transport statistics (YES) 

vehicle operator’s NACE Rev. 2 at class level (four-digit level) (NO) 

A2. Journey-related variables: 

 

 

 

place of loading, if any, of the road transport vehicle on another means of transport (NO) 

place of unloading, if any, of the road transport vehicle from another means of transport 
(NO) 

situation ‘fully loaded’ (procedure 2) or ‘not fully loaded’ (procedure 1) of the goods road 
transport vehicle during the journey in question, in terms of maximum volume of space 
used during the journey (procedure 0 = by convention for unladen journeys) (NO) 

A3. Goods-related variables: 

 

type of freight (Cargo types) as defined in the Regulation (YES) 

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Main figures20152016Total number of relevant goods vehicles in the country392 185400 167Number of vehicles selected for initial sample and questionnaires dispatched to vehicle owners13 72314 278Number of cases where no vehicle activity was recorded during the sampled period but the vehicle could be considered as part of the active stock2 9142 913Number of cases classified as non-respondents2 2372 392Number of cases where sample register information was wrong and response could not be used495455Number of questionnaires used in analysis8 0778 518More information in Countries Specific Notes(https://circabc.europa.eu/w/browse/9eea25b6-ebf2-4961-aed3-6ab27fb95b74) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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United Kingdom (international) 

Organisation responsible for the conducting the survey: 

Department for Transport (DfT) 

(Based on information referring to the first quarter of 2017) 

Sampling register used for the survey 

Name of register: 

Applications and Decisions’ register 

Name of organisation who maintains the register: 

Traffic Area Offices 

Frequency of update: 

Continuous 

Frequency of access to draw the samples: 

Monthly 

Arrangements for accessing the register: 

An extract detailing those hauliers issued with a standard international licence is provided 
electronically to the road freight team each month. 

Information obtained from the register: 

Address details of firms operating heavy goods vehicles that have been granted a licence to 
undertake international journeys. 

Firms are subsequently asked to provide information about their expected number of international 
trips; which is used in the stratification of the sample. 

Procedure for reminders: 

First reminder: sent 2.5 weeks after the end of the survey week by email. 

Second reminder: sent 5.5 weeks after the end of the survey week by email. 

Third reminder: 7.5 weeks after the end of the survey week by phone. 

The response rate is adequate. 

Sampling methodology 

Statistical unit: 

Transport firm 

Types of units excluded: 

Organisations not holding, or not requiring international licences (e.g. armed forces, emergency 
services, breakdown recovery vehicles). 

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Time unit: 

Time periods differ according to size of firm (see stratification below): 

Time unit of quarter 1 of 2017 included in the survey: 

All (13 weeks) 

Stratification:  

The sample is stratified according to the number of international trips expected to be undertaken by a 
firm: 

Recording of weight of goods: 

Gross-gross weight of goods is collected, i.e. containers, swap bodies and pallets are included. 

Recording of journey data sent to Eurostat: 

Multi stop, multi stop, collection/delivery: No simplifying assumptions because the data is collected at 
commodity level. 

Calculation of weighting factors: 

Weighting factor = P * K 

P = design weight for a given firm group 

K = population figure for a given route * number of sample trips leaving the UK via that route 

Optional variables covered: 

  Vehicle empty kilometres 

  Axle configuration 

  Degree of loading of the vehicle 

Additional variables collected compared to the legal requirements: 

Environmental impact-related variables: 

Type of fuel. Air pollution emissions caused by road freight is estimated based on the fuel purchased 
data collected via the national survey. 

A1. Vehicle-related variables: 

 

 

possibility of using vehicles for combined transport (NO) 

axle configuration according to the nomenclature defined in the Regulation on road 
transport statistics (YES) 

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GroupExpected number of international trips a yearTime period for surveyFrequency of survey11 001+1 day4 weeks3401 – 1 0003 days12.5 weeks6101 – 4001 week25 weeks1225 – 1002 weeks50 weeks2410 – 244 weeks100 weeksGroupExpected number of international trips a yearTime period for surveyFrequency of survey11 001+1 day4 weeks3401 – 1 0003 days12.5 weeks6101 – 4001 week25 weeks1225 – 1002 weeks50 weeks2410 – 244 weeks100 weeks 
 
 
 
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 

vehicle operator’s NACE Rev. 2 at class level (four-digit level) (NO) 

A2. Journey-related variables: 

 

 

 

place of loading, if any, of the road transport vehicle on another means of transport (NO) 

place of unloading, if any, of the road transport vehicle from another means of transport 
(NO) 

situation ‘fully loaded’ (procedure 2) or ‘not fully loaded’ (procedure 1) of the goods road 
transport vehicle during the journey in question, in terms of maximum volume of space 
used during the journey (procedure 0 = by convention for unladen journeys) (NO) 

A3. Goods-related variables: 

 

type of freight (Cargo types) as defined in the Regulation (YES) 

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Main figures20152016Total number of relevant goods vehicles in the country1 3841 597Number of vehicles selected for initial sample and questionnaires dispatched to vehicle owners9881 011Number of cases where no vehicle activity was recorded during the sampled period but the vehicle could be considered as part of the active stock7481 007Number of cases classified as non-respondents2554Number of cases where sample register information was wrong and response could not be used00Number of questionnaires used in analysis1 7391 513More information in Countries Specific Notes(https://circabc.europa.eu/w/browse/9eea25b6-ebf2-4961-aed3-6ab27fb95b74) 
 
 
 
 
 
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Liechtenstein 

Organisation responsible for the conducting the survey: 

Office of Statistics 

(Based on information referring to the first quarter of 2010) 

Starting with the reference year 2014, Liechtenstein is exempted from the reporting of road freight 
data according to Regulation (EU) No 70/2012. 

Sampling register used for the survey 

Name of register: 

National vehicle register 

Name of organisation who maintains the register: 

Motorfahrzeugkontrolle MKF (Office of Motor Vehicles) 

Frequency of update: 

Once a quarter 

Frequency of access to draw the samples: 

Once a quarter 

Arrangements for accessing the register: 

There is a direct access to the database of the national vehicle register and to the business register 
for NACE codes. 

Information obtained from the register: 

Vehicle registration mark; ID of operator of vehicle; Name of operator of vehicle; Address of operator 
of vehicle; Nace-Code of operator; Type of vehicle (lorry, road tractor, trailer); Type of lorry; Brand 
name of Vehicle; Date of first registration; Number of axles; Maximum permissible weight; Maximum 
permissible weight of vehicle and trailer; Empty weight of the vehicle; Maximum loading capacity; 
Chassis number. 

Procedure for reminders: 

A reminder system is used to chase non-respondents: 

  First written reminder to the owner of the vehicle: 2 weeks after the deadline when the 

questionnaire was due to be returned. 

  Second written reminder to the owner of the vehicle: 4 weeks after the deadline when 

the questionnaire was due to be returned. 

  Third reminder to the owner of the vehicle (phone call): 6 weeks after the deadline when 

the questionnaire was due to be returned. 

  Afterwards, every two weeks there is a phone call to the owner of the vehicle. 

Sampling methodology 

Statistical unit: 

Tractive vehicle 

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Types of units excluded: 

Lorries and vans with maximum permissible weight of less than 6 000 kg. 

Due to the EEA treaty, all vehicles operating only in Liechtenstein and Switzerland are not recorded. 

Time unit: 

1 week 

Time unit of quarter 1 of 2010 included in the survey: 

6 weeks 

Stratification: 

The population is stratified in two separate classes of vehicles. 

Strata 1: Road tractors and lorry with or without trailer 

Strata 2: All other vehicles 

Recording of weight of goods: 

Gross weight of goods is collected, i.e. containers, swap bodies and pallets are excluded. 

Recording of journey data sent to Eurostat: 

Single stop: Transport operators are required to fill in as many lines of the questionnaire as different 
commodity groups are transported. 

Multi stop: Multi-stop journeys are coded by consignments. Up to 5 stops are recorded and transport 
operators are required to fill in as many lines of the questionnaire as different commodity groups are 
transported. 

Collection/delivery: Transport operators fill in only one line for a pick-up or a distribution round 
mentioning the first and the last place of loading/unloading and the number of loading/unloading 
operations. 

Estimation of maximum permissible laden weight: 

The maximum permissible laden weight is calculated from the maximum loading capacity of the 
trailer, the maximum loading capacity of the lorry, and the maximum permissible weight of lorry and 
trailer. 

Calculation of weighting factors: 

Weighting factor = 

N = number of vehicles in the register (in a stratum) 

S = number of questionnaires used in analysis (in A1 dataset) 

S’= number of vehicles for which no activity was recorded, but vehicles could be considered as active 
(holiday, no work, etc.) 

Optional variables covered: 

  Vehicle empty kilometres 

  Type of cargo 

  Vehicle operator’s NACE category of activity 

  Axle configuration 

  Degree of loading of the vehicle 

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'13SSN 
 
 
 
 
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Additional variables collected compared to the legal requirements: 

Environmental impact related variables: 

Type of fuel used. 

A1. Vehicle-related variables: none 

A2. Journey-related variables: none 

A3. Goods-related variables: none 

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Main figures20122013Total number of relevant goods vehicles in the country265258Number of vehicles selected for initial sample and questionnaires dispatched to vehicle owners321314Number of cases where no vehicle activity was recorded during the sampled period but the vehicle could be considered as part of the active stock6363Number of cases classified as non-respondents37Number of cases where sample register information was wrong and response could not be used05Number of questionnaires used in analysis255239More information in Countries Specific Notes(https://circabc.europa.eu/w/browse/9eea25b6-ebf2-4961-aed3-6ab27fb95b74) 
 
 
 
 
 
Methodologies used in surveys of road freight transport in Member States, EFTA and Candidate Countries 

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Norway 

Organisation responsible for the conducting the survey: 

Statistics Norway 

(Based on information referring to the first quarter of 2014) 

Sampling register used for the survey 

Name of register: 

Register of Vehicles 

Name of organisation who maintains the register: 

Directorate of Public Roads 

Frequency of update: 

Daily 

Frequency of access to draw the samples: 

Once a quarter 

Arrangements for accessing the register: 

Through the Statistics Act § 2-2, 2-3 we are authorized to get copies of the register. The data are 
forwarded from the Directorate of Roads to Statistics Norway at specified dates of deliveries. The 
dates are: 

  First quarter 2014: end of November 2013 

  Second quarter 2014: end of February 2014 

  Third quarter 2014: end of May 2014 

  Fourth quarter 2014: end of August 2014 

The dates are approximately the same for each survey year. The early dates of access for each 
quarter are stipulated in order to make up the sampling frame, draw a sample, giving a label to the 
questionnaires and sending out the forms in due time before the survey period. 

Information obtained from the register: 

Vehicle Register records most of the information registered on a specific vehicle, about 50 variables. 
In addition, information about the owner of the vehicle and about the registration of the vehicle is 
collected. 

Used in stratification: Age of vehicle, type of vehicle, region in Norway. 

From the Commercial Traffic Register is collected information on number of permits for international 
traffic, geographical location and name and address of the enterprise that hold the permits. This 
information is used to allocate lorries to an international stratum. 

Procedure for reminders: 

First reminder: one week after the due date, a reminder is sent to all those who have not responded. 
The letter has information about the consequences of not responding and gives a new due date one 
week later. 

Second reminder: one week after the due date set in the reminder, a new letter is sent to those who 
still not have answered, telling that they must respond within a new due date one week later to avoid 
the compulsory fine. 

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Third reminder: three-four weeks after the deadline on the last letter, those who have still not 
responded are reported to the Norwegian National Collection Agency that fines them. 

Sampling methodology 

Statistical unit: 

Tractive vehicle 

Types of units excluded: 

Vehicles used for training purposes (owned by driving schools) and other kinds of driving Vehicles 
not considered to be freight transport such as roadwork, snow clearing, relocation of circus- or 
fairground carriages etc are excluded. 

Vehicles more than 25 years old, vehicles with a carrying capacity of less than 3.5 tonnes, and 
vehicles with a total weight of 35 tonnes or more. 

Time unit: 

1 week 

Time unit of quarter 1 of 2014 included in the survey: 

13 weeks 

Stratification: 

Stratified sampling is used. The population is divided into two parts, national (lorries where the owner 
do not have permit for international traffic) and international (lorries where the owner do have permit 
for international traffic). 

International strata are defined as all lorries belonging to an enterprise which have an EU-licence for 
travelling abroad. Since the license is not directly connected to a separate lorry, it is not possible to 
identify all the lorries that are used for international transport. That is why we perform that extra data 
collection mentioned in the end of item 1. 

The population of lorries in the national super-stratum is stratified by region, group of vehicle and 
age. There are 4 regions, 6 groups of vehicles and 2 age groups. In the international super-stratum, 
there is no stratification on age, and there are only 3 groups of vehicles. This gives a total of 48 
strata in the national super-stratum and 12 strata in the international super-stratum. New lorries and 
large lorries are overrepresented in the sample. 

Recording of weight of goods: 

Gross weight of goods is collected; containers and swap bodies are excluded, but pallets might be 
included. 

Recording of journey data sent to Eurostat: 

Single stop: In case more than one type of commodity is transported, the respondent is allowed to 
record it as mixed goods. 

Multi stop: Multi-stop journeys are coded by consignments. 

Collection/delivery: Respondents are allowed to decide if the journey can be seen upon as a 
collection and/or distribution round (c/d). 

If the journey consists of five or more stops the respondent is allowed to give information on the 
journey as a whole. 

If the journey is considered as a c/d-round the respondent is asked to indicate the average weight for 
the c/d as a whole, the total kilometres driven during the c/d and the main commodity group. 

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Methodologies used in surveys of road freight transport in Member States, EFTA and Candidate Countries 

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In the instructions to our respondents it is stated that the c/d-round is considered to start at the first 
loading point and finished at the last unloading point. 

Estimation of maximum permissible laden weight: 

The maximum permissible laden weight is estimated by computing the average of maximum 
permissible laden weight values for lorries having the same vehicle classification. 

Calculation of weighting factors: 

First step: a non-response model is used to correct the bias due to non-response. The stratification is 
taken into account. Weights are made to gross up results from the usable questionnaire to the 
sample. 

Second step: the weights computed in step 1 are combined with the sample drawing. The sample is 
then grossed up to national level. 

Third step: the weights from step 2 are calibrated against the updated population from the survey 
quarter. This enables to get the correct amount of vehicles in National and International strata broken 
divided by regions, vehicle class and type of transport. As the information supplied by the vehicle 
owner is only for one specific week in the surveyed quarter, the calibrated weights are multiplied by 
13. 

Fourth and fifth step: an adjustment of this weight is applied to correct under reporting. This 
adjustment is made by one factor for each of the six groups for the age of the vehicle (three groups) 
and type of transport (two groups). 

As from 1 quarter 2006 we also calibrate the results for the international survey against data on 
export and import from the External trade statistics (step 5). 

Optional variables covered: 

  Vehicle empty kilometres 

  Type of cargo 

  Axle configuration 

  Degree of loading of the vehicle 

Additional variables collected compared to the legal requirements: 

Environmental impact-related variables: none 

A1. Vehicle-related variables: 

 

 

 

possibility of using vehicles for combined transport (NO) 

axle configuration according to the nomenclature defined in the Regulation on road 
transport statistics (YES) 

vehicle operator’s NACE Rev. 2 at class level (four-digit level) (YES) 

A2. Journey-related variables: 

 

 

 

place of loading, if any, of the road transport vehicle on another means of transport (NO) 

place of unloading, if any, of the road transport vehicle from another means of transport 
(NO) 

situation ‘fully loaded’ (procedure 2) or ‘not fully loaded’ (procedure 1) of the goods road 
transport vehicle during the journey in question, in terms of maximum volume of space 
used during the journey (procedure 0 = by convention for unladen journeys) (YES) 

A3. Goods-related variables: 

 

type of freight (Cargo types) as defined in the Regulation (YES) 

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Methodologies used in surveys of road freight transport in Member States, EFTA and Candidate Countries 

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Main figures20152016Total number of relevant goods vehicles in the country39 81634 703Number of vehicles selected for initial sample and questionnaires dispatched to vehicle owners7 3077 249Number of cases where no vehicle activity was recorded during the sampled period but the vehicle could be considered as part of the active stock1 9152 106Number of cases classified as non-respondents561589Number of cases where sample register information was wrong and response could not be used596421Number of questionnaires used in analysis4 2064 108More information in Countries Specific Notes(https://circabc.europa.eu/w/browse/9eea25b6-ebf2-4961-aed3-6ab27fb95b74) 
 
 
 
 
 
Methodologies used in surveys of road freight transport in Member States, EFTA and Candidate Countries 

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Switzerland 

Organisation responsible for the conducting the survey: 

Swiss Statistics 

(Based on information referring to the first quarter of 2017) 

Sampling register used for the survey 

Name of register: 

Motor Vehicle Register 

Name of organisation who maintains the register: 

Swiss Federal Roads Office (FEDRO) 

Frequency of update: 

Once a week 

Frequency of access to draw the samples: 

Once a week 

Arrangements for accessing the register: 

Weekly extraction of the register at FEDRO via a protected web server. 

Information obtained from the register: 

Name, address, registration number, number of seats, type of vehicle, type of body, type designation 
of vehicle, load capacity, maximum permissible laden weight, unladen weight, emission class, date of 
first registration of the vehicle, existence or not of a loading crane, existence or not of a hydraulic lift, 
existence or not of a cable winch, existence or not of a trailer coupling, tank volume (cistern volume), 
number of axles (tractor only), license plate number, existence or not of a particle filter, odometer 
reading from the last roadworthiness test, date of the last roadworthiness test, CO2 emission. 

Used in stratification: type of vehicle and maximum permissible laden weight. 

Procedure for reminders: 

First reminder: sent out 2 weeks after the deadline. 

Second reminder: sent 3 weeks after the first one. 

For both reminders, all material is sent again (questionnaire, letter, instructions). 

Sampling methodology 

Statistical unit: 

Tractive vehicle 

Types of units excluded: 

Light vehicles with a maximum permissible laden weight equal or less than 3 500 kg and special 
vehicles (e.g. agricultural tractors, fire engines, military vehicles). In 2013, however, a special survey 
on light goods vehicles was carried out. This survey is planned to be conducted every ten years from 
now on. 

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Methodologies used in surveys of road freight transport in Member States, EFTA and Candidate Countries 

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Light Vehicles with a maximum permissible laden weight equal or less than 3 500 kg (e.g. vans) 
cover about 60 % of the vehicle-km and about 6 % of the performance (tkm) in road freight transport 
in Switzerland. 

Time unit: 

1 week 

Time unit of quarter 1 of 2017 included in the survey: 

13 weeks 

Stratification: 

The sample is stratified according to the week of survey, the type of vehicle and the maximum 
permissible laden weight (mplw). Lorries are divided into 4 strata (351, 352, 353, 354). Road tractors 
form the 5th stratum (381). 

351: MPLW 3 501 - 7 500 kg 

352: MPLW 7 501 - 18 000 kg 

353: MPLW 18 001 - 26 000 kg 

354: MPLW >26 000 kg 

This decomposition is applied to each week and the coding sent to Eurostat corresponds to the 
survey week number followed by the preceding code. For instance a road tractor with information 
during the week 22 is in the strata 22381. 

Recording of weight of goods: 

Gross weight of goods is collected, i.e. containers, swap bodies and pallets are excluded. 

Recording of journey data sent to Eurostat: 

Single stop: All commodity types transported on a vehicle are recorded. 

Multi stop: Information is collected on the basis of a description of each basic transport operation 
(with additional details on unladen journeys). The journey data are derived from the goods data 

Collection/delivery: The transported goods weight is assumed to increase/decrease steadily between 
the first and last stop of collection/delivery tonne-km = (0.5 * goods weight * distance of 
collection/delivery) 

Calculation of weighting factors: 

Weighting factor = 

N = number of vehicles in the register (in a stratum) 

S = number of questionnaires used in analysis (in A1 dataset) 

S’= number of vehicles for which no activity was recorded, but vehicles could be considered as active 
(holiday, no work, etc.) 

This initial grossing factor is then modified by a raking ratio procedure (calibration method). The 
external data sources used for this method are the total number of vehicle by strata for the survey 
week and the total distance by class of distance travelled weekly by quarter (data extracted from the 
LSVA tax). 

Optional variables covered: 

  Vehicle empty kilometres 

  Type of cargo 

  Axle configuration 

Methodologies used in road freight transport surveys in Member States, EFTA and 
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'13SSN 
 
 
Methodologies used in surveys of road freight transport in Member States, EFTA and Candidate Countries 

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Additional variables collected compared to the legal requirements: 

Environmental impact-related variables: 

Type of fuel. Data on emission class and average CO2-emissions are available from the register. 

A1. Vehicle-related variables: 

 

 

 

possibility of using vehicles for combined transport (NO) 

axle configuration according to the nomenclature defined in the Regulation on road 
transport statistics (NO) 

vehicle operator’s NACE Rev. 2 at class level (four-digit level) (YES) 

A2. Journey-related variables: 

 

 

 

place of loading, if any, of the road transport vehicle on another means of transport (NO) 

place of unloading, if any, of the road transport vehicle from another means of transport 
(NO) 

situation ‘fully loaded’ (procedure 2) or ‘not fully loaded’ (procedure 1) of the goods road 
transport vehicle during the journey in question, in terms of maximum volume of space 
used during the journey (procedure 0 = by convention for unladen journeys) (NO) 

A3. Goods-related variables: 

 

type of freight (Cargo types) as defined in the Regulation (YES) 

Other methodological changes introduced since the last publication of the ‘Methodologies 
used in surveys of road freight transport in Member States and Candidate Countries’ (Edition 
2014) 

Electronic data transfer has been established with a first large transport company in summer 2015. A 
similar approach based on electronic loading lists was successfully tested with a second company in 
2016 and is planned to be effective as of summer 2017. 

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Main figures20152016Total number of relevant goods vehicles in the country51 91551 026Number of vehicles selected for initial sample and questionnaires dispatched to vehicle owners9 1558 878Number of cases where no vehicle activity was recorded during the sampled period but the vehicle could be considered as part of the active stock991935Number of cases classified as non-respondents3 7433 484Number of cases where sample register information was wrong and response could not be used475457Number of questionnaires used in analysis3 9464 002More information in Countries Specific Notes(https://circabc.europa.eu/w/browse/9eea25b6-ebf2-4961-aed3-6ab27fb95b74) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Methodologies used in surveys of road freight transport in Member States, EFTA and Candidate Countries 

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Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia 

Organisation responsible for the conducting the survey: 

State Statistical Office 

(Based on information referring to the first quarter of 2010) 

Sampling register used for the survey 

Name of register: 

Register of road freight transport survey 

Name of organisation who maintains the register: 

Ministry of Interior Affair 

Frequency of update: 

Once a year in ministry of interior 

Frequency of access to draw the samples: 

Once a year 

Arrangements for accessing the register: 

Statistical Office is checking all key variables. 

Information obtained from the register: 

Vehicles registration number, year of first registration, maximum permissible laden weight, number of 
axes, capacity for loading, address, type of vehicle, name of owners, region in country, purpose of 
the vehicle. 

Procedure for reminders: 

First reminder by written letter and second reminder one week later by phone or by written letter. 

Sampling methodology 

Statistical unit: 

Tractive vehicle 

Types of units excluded: 

All working vehicle, damper, crane vehicle, vehicle with shredder for waste, vehicle with container for 
water supply etc. 

Time unit: 

1 week 

Time unit of quarter 1 of 2010 included in the survey: 

13 weeks 

Stratification: 

The stratification is made by two groups of economic activities (main activity codes 60230; 60240 
and 63210, and others activity) and five groups by tonnage (from 3 500 to 4 999; from 5 000 to 

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Methodologies used in surveys of road freight transport in Member States, EFTA and Candidate Countries 

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6 999; from 7 000 to 9 999; from 10 000 to 14 999 and from 15 000). The selection of sample units is 
proportional within each stratum. 

Additional variables collected compared to the legal requirements: 

Environmental impact related variables: 

Type of fuel used and fuel consumption. 

A1. Vehicle-related variables: none 

A2. Journey-related variables: none 

A3. Goods-related variables: none 

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Main figures20112012Total number of relevant goods vehicles in the country9 85210 561Number of vehicles selected for initial sample and questionnaires dispatched to vehicle owners3 7443 739Number of cases where no vehicle activity was recorded during the sampled period but the vehicle could be considered as part of the active stock333412Number of cases classified as non-respondents2 4292 386Number of cases where sample register information was wrong and response could not be used422418Number of questionnaires used in analysis560523More information in Countries Specific Notes(https://circabc.europa.eu/w/browse/9eea25b6-ebf2-4961-aed3-6ab27fb95b74) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Summary tables 

II 

2 Summary tables 

Table 1 – Scope of surveys 

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Register of tractive vehicles maintained by the NSI or national organisations (¹)OtherAgricultural, military and public service vehiclesVehicles over or below certain limitsOther vehicles not coveredBelgiumYes-YesVehicles < 1 tonnes LCVehicles not destined to the transport of goodsBulgariaYes-YesVehicles < 6 tonnes MPLWVehicles with dimensions exceeding permitted limits of the country. Vehicles not destined to the transport of goods.Czech RepublicYes-YesVehicles < 2 tonnes LCVehicles with oversized loadDenmarkYesRoad Worthiness Test (RWT)-Vehicles < 6 tonnes MPLW Personally owned vehiclesGermanyYes-YesLorries ≤ 3.5 tonnes LCVehicles not destined to the transport of goods. Vehicles not used for goods transport on public roads (own account only)Lorries < 3.5 tonnes LC Vehicles > 25 yearsIrelandYes--Vehicles < 2 tonnes unladen weightVehicles not destined to the transport of goods. Vehicles taxed as non-commercial vehiclesGreeceYes-YesVehicles <3.5 tonnes LC and < 6 tonnes MPLW-SpainYes-YesVehicles <3.5 tonnes LC and < 6 tonnes MPLWSpecial vehicles with very high weight capacity or dimensions which need a special registration number. Vehicles not destined to the transport of goodsLorries > 32.5 tonnes LCTractors > 44.5 tonnes LCVehicles < 3.5 tonnes weightVehicles > 15 years (¹) Ministry of Transport or other national organisations.FranceYes-YesSpecial purpose vehicles. Vehicles belonging to owners involved in activities such as driving schools, fairgrounds, etcCountrySampling baseVehicle types not coveredEstoniaYes-YesSpecial purpose vehicles, 25 years old vehicles 
 
 
 
 
 
Table 1 – Scope of surveys (continuation) 

Summary tables 

II 

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135 

Register of tractive vehicles maintained by the NSI or national organisations (¹)OtherAgricultural, military and public service vehiclesVehicles over or below certain limitsOther vehicles not coveredCroatiaYesStatistical Business RegisterYesVehicles < 3.5 tonnes LCSpecial purpose vehiclesTax vehicle register from the Ministry of Economy and FinanceRoad freight survey registerCyprusYes--Vehicles < 3 tonnes LC -LatviaYesRegister of vehiclesYesVehicles < 3.5 tonnes MPLW Vehicles > 25 years Special purpose vehiclesVehicles < 6 tonnes MPLWSpecial purpose vehiclesVehicles > 25 yearsVehicles not used for goods carriageLuxembourgYes-YesVehicles < 3.5 tonnes LCVehicles with dimensions exceeding permitted limits of the country. Vehicles used for breakdown servicesHungaryYes-YesVehicles < 3.5 tonnes LCSpecial purpose vehiclesMaltaYes----National Business RegisterVehicles ≤ 3.5 tonnes MPLWLease Registers from the Tax AuthoritiesVehicles > 25 yearsVehicles < 2 tonnes LCVehicles > 25 yearsVehicles ≤ 3.5 tonnes MPLW and < 1.5 tonnes LCVehicles > 25 yearsPortugalYes-YesVehicles ≤ 3.5 tonnes MPLWVehicles not destined to the transport of goodsVehicles < 3.5 tonnes LCVehicles > 25 yearsSloveniaYes-YesVehicles < 2 tonnes LC Special purpose vehicles. Vehicles belonging to users that could not be matched with the Business Register(¹) Ministry of Transport or other national organisations.YesSpecial purposes vehicles. Vehicle not adjusted to carry goodsRomaniaYes---NetherlandsYes-Vehicles not used for goods transport on public roads. Passenger vehicles (buses, campers) AustriaYesStatistical Business Register (BR)PolandYes-YesFire brigade, driving schools, private household, exterritorial organisationsYesYesVehicles < 3.5 tonnes LC Vehicles > 11 years Vehicles not destined to the transport of goodsLithuaniaYesData on road freight vehicles, which passed a roadworthiness testCountrySampling baseVehicle types not coveredItaly 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table 1 – Scope of surveys (continuation) 

Summary tables 

II 

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Register of tractive vehicles maintained by the NSI or national organisations (¹)OtherAgricultural, military and public service vehiclesVehicles over or below certain limitsOther vehicles not coveredSlovakiaYesRegister of operators---National: Vehicle RegisterInternational: Membership registerCommercial Traffic RegisterVehicles ≤ 3.5 tonnes LCCentral Register of CorporationVehicles > 30 yearsVehicle-kilometre databaseNational: Driver Vehicle Licensing Agency for GB-registered vehicles and Driver Vehicle Licensing for Northern Ireland registered vehiclesInternational: Application and Decisions Register from Traffic Area Offices LiechtensteinYesOffice of Motor Vehicles-Vehicles < 6 tonnes MPLWVehicles operating in LI and CH onlyVehicles < 3.5 tonnes LCVehicles ≥ 35 tonnes MPLWVehicles > 25 yearsSwitzerlandYes-YesVehicles < 3.5 tonnes MPLWSpecial purpose vehiclesFormer Yugoslav Republic of MacedoniaYes-Yes-Special purpose vehicles(¹) Ministry of Transport or other national organisations.SwedenYesYesSpecial purpose vehicles; Vehicles owned by companies not registered in the Central Register of CorporationsFinlandYesCountrySampling baseVehicle types not coveredUnited KingdomYesYesVehicles < 3.5 tonnes MPLW (national transport only)Special purpose vehiclesNorwayYes--Special purpose vehiclesYesLorries < 3.5 tonnes MPLWSpecial purpose vehicles 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Summary tables 

II 

Table 2 – Type of questionnaire used for the 
survey 

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CountryType of questionnaireBelgiumPaper questionnaire or questionnaire can be downloaded in Excel format, completed and sent by e-mail BulgariaPaper questionnaireCzech RepublicWeb questionnaire and paper questionnaireDenmarkElectronic questionnaireGermanyWeb questionnaire EstoniaWeb questionnaire IrelandPaper questionnaireGreeceWeb questionnaire and paper questionnaireSpainWeb questionnaire and paper questionnaireFranceElectronic questionnaireCroatiaPaper questionnaireItalyQuestionnaire in PDF format, sent and received by certified emailCyprusPaper questionnaireLatviaPaper questionnaireLithuaniaElectronic questionnaireLuxembourgPaper questionnaire (it is planned to offer an electronic data transmission)HungaryElectronic questionnaireMalta-NetherlandsWeb questionnaire, electronic transmission of data from transport companies AustriaElectronic questionnaire and XML transmission (since 2008) and individualised Excel questionnaire (added since 2013)PolandElectronic and paper questionnairePortugalWeb questionnaireRomaniaWeb questionnaire  and paper questionnaireSloveniaPaper questionnaireSlovakiaElectronic and paper questionnaireFinlandWeb questionnaire SwedenWeb questionnaire United KingdomPaper questionnaireLiechtensteinPaper questionnaireNorwayWeb questionnaire and paper questionnaireSwitzerlandWeb questionnaire, electronic transmission of data from transport companies Former Yugoslav Republic of MacedoniaWeb questionnaire and paper questionnaire 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Summary tables 

II 

Table  3  –  Sampling  rate 
vehicles, firms), 2016 

in  space  (of 

The sampling rate in space figures (%) have been obtained by calculating as follows: ‘Number of 
statistical units in the sample’ divided by ‘Number of statistical units in the population’. 

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CountryStatistical unitNumber of statistical units in the populationNumber of statistical units in the sampleSampling rate in space(%)BelgiumTractive vehicle99 55214 87614.9BulgariaTractive vehicle115 51416 00013.9Czech RepublicTractive vehicle144 58317 95312.4DenmarkTractive vehicle36 6178 62623.6Germany (¹)Tractive vehicle500 275187 81537.5EstoniaTractive vehicle16 4886 03236.6IrelandTractive vehicle97 51025 65126.3GreeceTractive vehicle105 9426 3606.0SpainTractive vehicle318 66056 00017.6FranceTractive vehicle547 11678 15914.3CroatiaTractive vehicle26 99210 40038.5ItalyTractive vehicle202 55244 35621.9CyprusTractive vehicle12 5221 61212.9LatviaTractive vehicle20 2666 24030.8LithuaniaTractive vehicle38 06212 67333.3LuxembourgTractive vehicle9 6648 27785.6HungaryTractive vehicle77 50952 67668.0MaltaTractive vehicle, Transport firm--:NetherlandsTractive vehicle128 13336 35328.4AustriaTractive vehicle, Local unit64 34426 75641.6PolandTractive vehicle680 91052 0007.6PortugalTractive vehicle 77 77528 34636.4RomaniaTractive vehicle108 97632 19029.5SloveniaTractive vehicle23 6068 33335.3SlovakiaTractive vehicle143 66410 4007.2Finland (²)Tractive vehicle106 23510 0009.4SwedenTractive vehicle62 45311 62718.6Tractive vehicle (national)400 16714 2783.6Transport firm (international)1 5971 01163.3Liechtenstein (³)Tractive vehicle258314121.7NorwayTractive vehicle34 7037 24920.9SwitzerlandTractive vehicle51 0268 87817.4Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (⁴)Tractive vehicle10 5613 73935.4(¹) 2014 data used for number of statistical units in the population and sample.(²) Provisional data.(³) Some vehicles may be surveyed several times in the same quarter; 2013 data used for number of statistical units in the population and sample.(⁴) 2012 data used for number of statistical units in the population and sample.United Kingdom 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table 4 – Time-based sampling rate, 2017 

Summary tables 

II 

The time-based sampling rate figures (%) have been obtained by calculating as follows: 100 divided 
by ‘Number of time units represented in the survey in the year’. 

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CountryTime unitNumber of time units in the yearNumber of time units represented in the survey in the yearTime-based sampling rate ( %)BelgiumWeek52521.92BulgariaWeek52521.92Czech RepublicWeek52521.92DenmarkWeek52521.92GermanyHalf week1041040.96EstoniaWeek52521.92IrelandWeek52521.92GreeceWeek52521.92SpainWeek52521.92FranceWeek52521.92CroatiaWeek52521.92ItalyWeek52521.92CyprusWeek52521.92LatviaWeek52521.92LithuaniaWeek52521.92LuxembourgWeek52283.57HungaryWeek52521.92Malta (2004)3 days1210:Netherlands Week52521.92AustriaWeek52521.92PolandWeek52521.92PortugalWeek52521.92RomaniaWeek52521.92SloveniaWeek52521.92SlovakiaWeek52521.92Finland (¹)3 or 4 days52521.92SwedenWeek52521.92Week (national)52521.92Dependant on the firm size (international transport)--:LiechtensteinWeek52244.17NorwayWeek52521.92SwitzerlandWeek52521.92Former Yugoslav Republic of MacedoniaWeek52521.92United Kingdom(¹) 3 days for non-members of SKAL-S, 4 days for members of SKAL-S. These days make a period of one week. Every other week starts with 3 days and every other week starts with 4 days. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Summary tables 

II 

Table  5  –  Global  sampling  rates  (in  space 
and in time) 

The global sampling rate figures have been obtained by multiplying the sampling rate in space by the 
sampling rate in time. 

Attention must be drawn to the fact that the first figures refer to 2016, whereas the latter to 2017. The 
global sampling rate figures should thus be considered provisional, although the sampling rate in 
time is liable to remain constant for most countries from one year to the next. 

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Candidate Countries 

140 

CountryCollection unitSampling rate in space ( %)Sampling rate in time ( %)Global sampling rate in space and in time ( %)BelgiumVehicle-week14.91.920.29BulgariaVehicle-week13.91.920.27Czech RepublicVehicle-week12.41.920.24DenmarkVehicle-week23.61.920.45Germany (¹)Vehicle-half week37.50.960.36EstoniaVehicle-week36.61.920.70IrelandVehicle-week 26.31.920.51GreeceVehicle-week6.01.920.12SpainVehicle-week 17.61.920.34FranceVehicle-week 14.31.920.27CroatiaVehicle-week38.51.920.74ItalyVehicle-week 21.91.920.42CyprusVehicle-week (national)12.91.920.25LatviaVehicle-week30.81.920.59LithuaniaVehicle-week33.31.920.64LuxembourgVehicle-week 85.63.573.06HungaryVehicle-week68.01.921.31MaltaVehicle-week:::Netherlands Vehicle-week 28.41.920.55AustriaVehicle-week41.61.920.80PolandVehicle-week7.61.920.15PortugalVehicle-week36.41.920.70RomaniaVehicle-week29.51.920.57SloveniaVehicle-week35.31.920.68SlovakiaVehicle-week7.21.920.14Finland (²)Vehicle-week9.41.920.18SwedenVehicle-week 18.61.920.36United KingdomVehicle-week (national)3.61.920.07Liechtenstein (³)Vehicle-week121.74.175.07NorwayVehicle-week20.91.920.40SwitzerlandVehicle-week17.41.920.33Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (⁴)Vehicle-week35.41.920.68(¹) 2014 data used for the sampling rate in space.(²) Provisional data used for the sampling rate in space.(³) 2013 data used for the sampling rate in space.(⁴) 2012 data used for the sampling rate in space. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table 6 – Response rate, 2015-2016 

Summary tables 

II 

The response rate is defined as the number of questionnaires dispatched minus those classified as 
non-response divided by the number of questionnaires dispatched, expressed as a percentage. 

Methodologies used in road freight transport surveys in Member States, EFTA and 
Candidate Countries 

141 

20152016Belgium65.2752.07Bulgaria69.4667.24Czech Republic91.6391.47Denmark 98.0996.41Germany (¹)95.9895.77Estonia68.7871.29Ireland57.3652.86Greece84.4892.06Spain95.6796.70France81.0979.43Croatia78.2480.78Italy41.3137.29Cyprus93.4993.30Latvia78.2376.63Lithuania90.2683.45Luxembourg91.3289.03Hungary87.8283.09Malta::Netherlands20.2386.72Austria98.7299.72Poland75.9573.88Portugal90.7687.37Romania96.2495.65Slovenia73.9572.94Slovakia86.9286.81Finland (²)53.8460.43Sweden65.8164.03United Kingdom (national)83.7083.25Liechtenstein (³)99.0797.77Norway92.3291.87Switzerland59.1260.76Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (⁴)35.1236.19(¹) Based on 2013-2014 data.(²) Provisional data.(³) Based on 2012-2013 data.(⁴) Based on 2011-2012 data.Response rate (in %)Country 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table 7 – Register quality, 2015-2016 

Summary tables 

II 

The register quality is defined as the number of usable questionnaires (i.e. number of questionnaires 
dispatched minus number of questionnaires classified as non-response minus number of 
questionnaires where sample register information was wrong) divided by the number of 
questionnaires dispatched minus those classified as non-response, expressed as a percentage. 

Methodologies used in road freight transport surveys in Member States, EFTA and 
Candidate Countries 

142 

20152016Belgium89.0591.60Bulgaria58.9466.87Czech Republic83.6281.51Denmark 95.0995.90Germany (¹)94.2494.31Estonia74.1677.33Ireland94.8194.93Greece77.6072.19Spain70.0169.36France76.1976.21Croatia89.1690.60Italy77.6687.63Cyprus93.8393.75Latvia97.4397.60Lithuania87.2286.99Luxembourg100.00100.00Hungary71.2779.07Malta::Netherlands92.1292.01Austria95.2884.60Poland71.9877.72Portugal80.1894.69Romania94.3794.26Slovenia92.9291.95Slovakia64.0583.03Finland (²)89.7589.59Sweden93.4491.78United Kingdom (national)95.6996.17Liechtenstein (³)100.0098.37Norway91.1793.68Switzerland91.2291.53Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (⁴)67.9169.11(¹) Based on 2013-2014 data.(²) Provisional data.(³) Based on 2012-2013 data.(⁴) Based on 2011-2012 data.CountryRegister quality (in %) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Summary tables 

II 

Table  8  –  Precision  of  results,  in  terms  of 
Standard  error 
(on 
tonnes), 2015-2016 

transport 

total 

for 

Percentage standard error of estimate (95 % confidence). 

See the manual 'Road freight transport methodology’, i.e. the Reference Manual for the 
implementation of the Council Regulation No 70/2012 on statistics on the carriage of goods by road, 
chapters 3 and 7 for more details on the methodology used for the calculation of the percentage 
standard error. 

Reference: Commission Regulation 642/2004 on precision requirements for data collected in 
accordance with Council Regulation (EC) No 1172/98 on statistical returns in respect of the carriage 
of goods by road. 

Methodologies used in road freight transport surveys in Member States, EFTA and 
Candidate Countries 

143 

20152016Belgium2.272.81Bulgaria9.728.50Czech Republic3.464.01Denmark4.474.54Germany::Estonia8.497.31Ireland3.053.02Greece13.3210.77Spain1.821.87France1.411.36Croatia3.873.75Italy3.04:Cyprus6.926.54Latvia6.225.92Lithuania2.722.81Luxembourg3.053.16Hungary2.081.85Malta--Netherlands1.841.79Austria2.052.05Poland2.442.48Portugal3.072.93Romania3.092.84Slovenia4.574.95Slovakia6.915.68Finland (¹)5.495.63Sweden4.665.28United Kingdom 3.233.20Liechtenstein--Norway5.506.67Switzerland4.924.78Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia--(¹) Provisional data.CountryStandard error (tonnes), in % 
 
 
 
Summary tables 

II 

Table  9  –  Precision  of  results,  in  terms  of 
Standard error for total transport (on tonne-
kilometres), 2015-2016 

Percentage standard error of estimate (95 % confidence). 

See the manual 'Road freight transport methodology’, i.e. the Reference Manual for the 
implementation of the Council Regulation No 70/2012 on statistics on the carriage of goods by road, 
chapters 3 and 7 for more details on the methodology used for the calculation of the percentage 
standard error. 

Reference: Commission Regulation 642/2004 on precision requirements for data collected in 
accordance with Council Regulation (EC) No 1172/98 on statistical returns in respect of the carriage 
of goods by road. 

Methodologies used in road freight transport surveys in Member States, EFTA and 
Candidate Countries 

144 

20152016Belgium2.544.04Bulgaria5.254.92Czech Republic2.612.83Denmark2.792.92Germany::Estonia6.055.63Ireland2.943.37Greece6.746.26Spain1.631.65France0.940.93Croatia3.673.64Italy2.41:Cyprus8.067.46Latvia3.923.53Lithuania2.432.43Luxembourg2.662.77Hungary1.391.30Malta--Netherlands1.481.45Austria2.151.97Poland1.781.77Portugal3.132.63Romania2.091.99Slovenia3.363.28Slovakia4.544.22Finland (¹)5.865.63Sweden3.693.71United Kingdom 3.363.89Liechtenstein--Norway3.464.09Switzerland4.544.63Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia--(¹) Provisional data.CountryStandard error (tonnes), in % 
 
 
 
Summary tables 

II 

Table  10  –  Optional  variables  provided  by 
the reporting countries 

Methodologies used in road freight transport surveys in Member States, EFTA and 
Candidate Countries 

145 

CountryVehicle empty kilometresType of cargoVehicle operator’s NACE category of activityAxle configurationDegree of loading of the vehiclePossibility of using vehicles for combined transportBelgiumxxxxxxBulgariaxx-xx-Czech Republicxxxx--Denmarkx-xxxxGermanyxx-xx-Estoniaxx-xx-Irelandxx-x--GreecexxxxxxSpainxxxxx-Francexxxxx-CroatiaxxxxxxItaly------Cyprusxxxxx-Latviaxxxxx-LithuaniaxxxxxxLuxembourgxxxx--Hungaryxxx--xMalta------Netherlands xx-xx-Austriaxxxxx-PolandxxxxxxPortugalxxxxx-Romania-xxxxxSloveniaxxxxx-Slovakiaxxxxx-Finlandxx-xxxSwedenxxxxx-United Kingdomx--xx-Liechtensteinxxxxx-Norwayxx-xx-Switzerlandxx-x--Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia------ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Methodologies used in surveys 
of road freight transport in 
Member States, EFTA and 
Candidate countries 
REVISED

The present document describes the methods used by Member States, 
candidate and EFTA countries in their surveys on road freight transport 
statistics. Part I describes national methodologies for data collection. 
This information is based on questionnaires completed by the reporting 
countries. Data in these questionnaires refer to the fi rst quarter of 2016. 
Part II includes summary tables, with the basic information on sampling, 
response rate, register quality and precision of results of the surveys. Data 
on the registers used to draw the sample and the sampling methodology 
are relevant for the surveys conducted in the fi rst quarter of 2016, 
while the main characteristics given for each country refer to the years 
2015 and 2016, according to data availability. ‘Methodologies used in 
surveys of road freight transport in Member States, EFTA and Candidate 
Countries’ is published in English only.    

For more information
http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/

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ISBN  978-92-79-85953-3