North Texas and
DFW Metroplex
Freight Flows and Analysis
January 2015
North Texas and DFW Metroplex
Freight Flows and Analysis
January 2015
Terrance L. Pohlen, PhD, CTL
Director
Laura Catalina Quinones Rios, Undergraduate Student Research Assistant
Mary Catherine Schoals, 2014 Terry Scholar and
Undergraduate Student Research Assistant
Center for Logistics Education and Research
Logistics Systems Institute at the University of North Texas
College of Business
University of North Texas
This report was made possible through the support of the Center for Logistics Education
and Research board of directors
Questions or requests for additional information should be addressed to pohlen@unt.edu
January 2015
North Texas and DFW Metroplex
Freight Flows and Analysis
The Center for Logistics Education and Research and the Logistics Systems Institute at
the University of North Texas will begin publishing and updating a series of whitepapers
and analyses focusing on transportation, trade, logistics, and economic trends having a
major effect on the region’s economy. This whitepaper provides an overview of the
freight flows into and out of the Metroplex.
Purpose
This document provides an analysis of the freight flows into and out the Dallas-Fort
Worth combined statistical area. The analysis is intended to provide logistics, economic
development, industrial real estate, city planning, and other business and government
professionals with greater insight as to where inbound freight originates, where
outbound freight terminates, the types and volumes of commodities being moved, and
the transportation modes employed. This information may prove useful in network
planning, site selection, infrastructure planning, capacity analysis, and the targeting of
specific industries for economic and business development.
The North Texas Region
The North Texas region has historically held a strategic position from a logistics
perspective. Dallas initially became a trade post because the location provided a good
place to ford the Trinity River. The Republic of Texas proposed two highways which
would converge nearby. Later, the key to Dallas’ economic expansion was when the
city secured and became a crossroad for the Houston and Texas Central Railroad and
the Texas and Pacific Railroad. The combination of a strategic location and rail
transportation enabled abundant regional agricultural products to be accumulated at this
location for transport to manufacturing plants in the North and East. 1 Fort Worth’s
strategic location was first recognized by the US Army with the construction of an
outpost fort. The area later became a center for trade and a terminating point for the
Butterfield Stage Coach line. Cattle drives along the Chisholm Trail increased the
importance of Fort Worth as a center for trade. The local citizens recognized the
importance of transportation and were successful in initially attracting the Texas and
Pacific Railroad and later several additional rail lines. As meat packing plants located in
Fort Worth to take advantage of cattle moving along the Chisolm Trail and rail
transportation, Fort Worth became a livestock shipping center, and its future growth was
closely linked to this industry. 2
1 Texas State Historical Association, “Dallas, Texas,”
http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hdd01, accessed, June 27, 2014
2 City of Fort Worth, Texas, “Fort Worth History,”
http://fortworthtexas.gov/government/info/default.aspx?id=3252, accessed June 27, 2014
North Texas and DFW Metroplex Freight Flows and Analysis
1
The continued development of logistics capabilities in Dallas, Fort Worth, and the
surrounding area has led to the region becoming one of the major logistics hubs in
North America, if not the world. The region is currently the largest inland port in the
United States not located on a border or major waterway. Over $72 billion in trade
cleared the DFW customs district in 2013 (Figure 1). The region has over 730 million
square feet in industrial space and ranks trails only Chicago and Los Angeles in terms
of distribution space. The area currently ranks as the sixth largest economy in the
United States (Figure 2) 3 based on gross metropolitan product—larger than many states
and entire countries. Extensive development of transportation infrastructure and
logistics capabilities have supported this growth.
Country
China
Korea, South
Japan
Canada
Taiwan
Malaysia
United Kingdom
Thailand
Singapore
Germany
France
Mexico
Philippines
Netherlands
India
Belgium
Israel
Hong Kong
Switzerland
Vietnam
World Total
Imports
26,235,001,033
5,051,087,100
2,943,638,167
3,713,752,958
1,603,833,598
2,112,009,755
1,437,755,666
1,467,246,496
627,337,038
945,228,394
960,004,871
712,573,459
190,017,512
234,213,587
576,747,187
202,860,943
692,382,291
109,859,411
547,204,698
418,380,300
53,524,783,890
Exports
1,239,754,853
3,324,694,265
1,308,672,367
129,311,860
1,780,369,825
720,580,279
744,943,709
528,001,770
1,274,945,313
905,435,516
478,951,834
491,740,576
729,373,920
648,340,232
252,149,214
578,954,425
70,762,183
594,840,385
70,538,945
75,581,314
18,790,279,729
Total
27,474,755,886
8,375,781,365
4,252,310,534
3,843,064,818
3,384,203,423
2,832,590,034
2,182,699,375
1,995,248,266
1,902,282,351
1,850,663,910
1,438,956,705
1,204,314,035
919,391,432
882,553,819
828,896,401
781,815,368
763,144,474
704,699,796
617,743,643
493,961,614
72,315,063,619
Figure 1 DFW Imports/Exports by Country (2013)
Source: Center for Logistics Education and Research, University of North Texas, analysis of
import/export data from the US Census Bureau, US Trade Online
3
The United States Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis, News Release:
“Economic Growth Widespread Across Metropolitan Areas in 2013,” September 16, 2014
North Texas and DFW Metroplex Freight Flows and Analysis
2
U.S. Metropolitan Areas
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX
San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ
San Diego-Carlsbad, CA
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
2013 Current-Dollar Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by Metropolitan Area
Rank
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013*
1
1,282,104
1,291,817
1,338,889
1,373,748
1,435,294
1,471,170
2
780,046
748,002
757,003
775,823
805,437
826,826
3
528,852
518,897
534,001
550,817
575,828
590,248
4
417,335
375,438
402,383
447,911
489,186
517,367
5
411,023
417,664
435,995
449,440
460,012
463,925
6
377,321
355,667
377,216
404,175
432,356
447,574
7
343,156
327,531
334,610
347,758
378,188
388,272
8
344,292
346,536
354,528
362,802
375,652
383,401
9
317,076
315,377
331,168
343,045
358,837
370,769
10
278,250
272,865
277,282
284,644
296,300
307,233
11
241,874
240,074
247,902
256,107
273,632
284,967
12
264,076
247,947
250,720
255,779
269,554
281,076
13
196,547
192,686
200,702
211,326
219,706
227,793
14
203,304
187,124
199,528
208,600
218,227
224,726
15
193,233
179,998
183,248
192,242
203,531
209,523
16
176,616
173,564
175,201
182,676
190,940
197,886
17
157,667
150,478
165,201
178,309
186,254
196,829
18
154,135
148,993
154,629
160,665
168,747
178,860
19
144,129
146,943
153,408
158,199
164,436
168,845
20
128,409
131,066
140,787
148,324
157,094
163,692
Figure 2 Gross Domestic Product by Metropolitan Area
Source: Table developed from information in The United States Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic
Analysis, News Release: “Economic Growth Widespread Across Metropolitan Areas in 2013,” September 16, 2014
Major trade lanes supporting freight movements by multiple modes pass through the
North Texas region (Figure 3). Three Class 1 railroads (BNSF, Union Pacific, and the
Kansas City Southern) provide rail service to area shippers. Rail lines supporting
domestic and international intermodal, manifest freight, and NAFTA trade flow through
Dallas and Fort Worth. NAFTA trade from Mexico and Canada pass along the I-35
corridor. Truck traffic passes east – west along Interstate 20 and north – south along
Interstates 35 and 45 (Figure 4). Trade moving by international water reaches the area
from the Far East via maritime ports on the West coast and intermodal rail. Other
international freight flows into the region through the Port of Houston. The FedEX
facility at Alliance Fort Worth airport serves the air cargo lane to and from Anchorage,
AK and onto the Far East. Over 50 air carriers (combination, charter, and all-cargo) call
on DFW airport to provide air freight service to support global trade with major
population centers on six continents.
North Texas and DFW Metroplex Freight Flows and Analysis
3
Figure 3 Major Trade Lanes Spanning the North Texas Region 4
The North Texas region ranks among the top metropolitan areas in the volume of freight
movements (Figure 5). An analysis of the most current freight data available from the
US Department of Transportation 5 indicates the region ranks sixth in terms of the value
($646 billion) moving into, within, or out of the area. In freight tonnage, the region ranks
eighth with over 435 million tons of freight movement. Among the top metropolitan
areas, DFW stands out as the largest location for freight movement that is not located
on a United States border, coastline or on a major internal waterway.
4
Hillwood Properties, “Alliance Global Logistics Hub,” p. 4.
Federal Highway Administration, US Department of Transportation, Freight Analysis Framework,
http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/freight/freight_analysis/faf/
5
North Texas and DFW Metroplex Freight Flows and Analysis
4
Figure 4 Major Truck Routes on the National Highway System 6
CSA Region
New York NY-NJ-CT-PA CSA
Los Angeles CA CSA
Chicago IL-IN-WI CSA
Houston TX CSA
San Francisco CA CSA
Dallas-Fort Worth TX CSA
Detroit MI CSA
Philadelphia PA-NJ-DE-MD CSA
Atlanta GA CSA
Seattle WA CSA
Miami FL MSA
Boston MA CSA
Minneapolis-St. Paul MN CSA
Phoenix AZ MSA
St. Louis MO-IL CSA
Washington DC-MD-VA-WV CSA
Baltimore MD MSA
San Diego CA MSA
Denver CO CSA
Portland OR MSA
Net Ktons 2012
988,374.05
892,420.79
671,770.88
1,114,884.88
488,381.60
435,365.78
375,676.68
576,790.23
372,690.39
320,076.33
299,080.48
232,927.35
318,213.38
222,523.79
576,790.23
309,568.41
175,625.69
107,453.69
193,524.76
210,858.77
Net Value ($M)
2012
$ 1,760,263.42
$ 1,672,480.44
$ 1,048,449.78
$
938,087.47
$
650,875.09
$
646,925.21
$
644,693.31
$
536,117.89
$
522,344.42
$
418,813.07
$
399,796.29
$
362,556.85
$
318,245.09
$
286,583.31
$
272,473.05
$
272,081.28
$
242,591.93
$
236,018.39
$
213,693.69
$
201,919.89
Figure 5 Total Freight Volumes by Major Metropolitan Area
Source: Center for Logistics Education and Research, University of North Texas, Analysis of Freight Flows,
Federal Highway Administration, Freight Analysis Framework Database Tool
6
Federal Highway Administration, Freight Facts and Figures, January 2014, page 38.
North Texas and DFW Metroplex Freight Flows and Analysis
5
A breakdown of the freight flows within the region indicates an imbalanced market. The
DFW region has more inbound (34% of tonnage and 39% of value) than outbound (29%
of tonnage and 36% of value). Motor carrier rates generally reflect this situation with
inbound rates into the area being higher than outbound rates due to the differences in
overall freight demand. Similar to many other regions in the United States, intrametropolitan area movements represent a significant portion of the overall freight
movement. These movements range from moving freight from the airports and
intermodal hubs to distribution centers in the area to local deliveries to retail outlets and
residential areas.
Outbound,
$231,844.19 ,
36%
Inbound,
$250,659.25 ,
39%
Intra-DFW,
$164,421.77 ,
25%
$646.93 billion
Outbound,
127,140.82 ,
29%
Inbound,
147,824.18 ,
34%
Intra-DFW,
160,400.78 ,
37%
435.37M Tons
Figure 6 Freight Breakdown by Outbound, Inbound, and Intra-DFW Flows
Source: Center for Logistics Education and Research, University of North Texas, Analysis of Freight Flows,
Federal Highway Administration, Freight Analysis Framework Database Tool
Freight Flows by Origin – Destination
An analysis of DFW freight flows requires several perspectives to obtain a more
complete understanding of how different origins and destinations affect freight flows in
the region. Freight flows between DFW and other Texas locations account for over half
of the value and tonnage and requires a separate analysis. DFW and Texas conduct a
significant amount of international trade, and the use of only total volume limits the
insights that can be obtained through an analysis of freight flows at multiple levels. For
example, Alaska ranks second at $18 billion for total (international and domestic)
inbound freight value originating outside Texas. However, international air freight from
China and other Asian countries accounts for almost all of this volume. Domestic
inbound trade with Alaska amounts to only $300 million. Due to the differences
between Texas, international, and domestic flows, this section of the report will provide
a separate analysis of each.
North Texas and DFW Metroplex Freight Flows and Analysis
6
DFW – Texas Freight Flows
Texas represents the single largest freight origin for the North Texas region, aside from
the DFW area itself. Over $67 billion in freight originates somewhere in Texas bound
for the North Texas region (Figure 7). Domestic freight accounts for $48 billion while
freight originating at an international location and passing through a Texas port of entry
bound for DFW is approximately $19 billion. Houston is the single largest origin with
over $19 billion and 13.3 million tons bound for DFW. Nearly $3 billion and 3 million
tons of this Houston freight originated from an international location. However, the most
international freight inbound to DFW passes through Laredo. Over $5 billion of
international freight moves through Laredo headed for DFW with only $80 million
constituting domestic freight.
Origin
Austin TX MSA
Beaumont TX MSA
Corpus Christi TX CSA
El Paso TX MSA
Houston TX CSA
Laredo TX MSA
San Antonio TX MSA
Remainder of Texas
Total:
Total Value
($M 2012)
$
1,801.52
$
733.52
$
7,835.12
$
6,332.97
$
19,317.02
5,153.77
$
$
3,659.39
$
22,630.08
$
67,463.38
Dallas-Fort Worth TX CSA
$
Pct
3%
1%
12%
9%
29%
8%
5%
34%
164,421.77
Domestic Value
($M 2012)
$
1,780.76
$
673.07
$
7,809.13
$
974.20
$
16,411.46
$
80.46
$
3,642.75
$
16,780.73
48,152.57
$
$
Pct
4%
1%
16%
2%
34%
0%
8%
35%
142,251.48
Total Tons
(Ktons 2012)
1,732.04
697.31
13,338.99
1,249.47
12,776.43
1,949.72
2,312.11
25,023.36
59,079.43
160,400.78
Domestic Tons
Pct (Ktons 2012)
Pct
3%
1,731.77 3%
1%
496.99 1%
23%
13,265.16 26%
2%
416.32 1%
22%
9,845.24 19%
3%
135.80 0%
4%
2,311.88 5%
42%
22,505.07 44%
50,708.23
160,204.21
Figure 7 Texas Inbound Freight
Source: Center for Logistics Education and Research, University of North Texas, Analysis of Freight Flows,
Federal Highway Administration, Freight Analysis Framework Database Tool
The bulk of inbound freight moves on truck, 79 percent of total value and 67 percent of
total tonnage (Figure 8). The Dallas-Fort Worth CSA is, with the exception of El Paso,
within 500 miles of the major metropolitan areas in Texas. Trucks generally have a
competitive advantage over other transportation modes in time and cost in distances
under 500 miles. As a result, rail and air account for relatively small proportions of the
Inbound Mode
Truck
Rail
Air (include truck-air)
Multiple modes & mail
Pipeline
Other and unknown
Total:
Total Value
($M 2012)
Pct
$
53,276.70 79%
$
1,574.18
2%
$
196.54
0%
$
3,303.75
5%
$
8,433.25 13%
$
678.96
1%
$
67,463.38
Domestic Value
($M 2012)
Pct
$
36,143.31 74%
$
603.66 1%
$
153.24 0%
$
3,094.00 6%
$
8,385.83 17%
$
228.33 0%
$
48,608.36
Total Tons
Domestic Tons
(Ktons 2012)
Pct (Ktons 2012)
Pct
39,730.88 67%
33,381.22 66%
2,440.22 4%
1,417.97 3%
0.36 0%
0.03 0%
1,373.98 2%
732.74 1%
15,322.05 26%
15,043.69 30%
211.93 0%
132.59 0%
59,079.43
50,708.23
Figure 8 Texas Inbound Freight to DFW by Mode of Transportation
Source: Center for Logistics Education and Research, University of North Texas, Analysis of Freight Flows,
Federal Highway Administration, Freight Analysis Framework Database Tool
North Texas and DFW Metroplex Freight Flows and Analysis
7
total inbound freight volume to DFW. After trucking, pipelines move the greatest
amount of the inbound freight value and tonnage with almost all of these petroleum and
natural gas movements originating domestically. Rail moves a total of 2.4 million tons
of intra-State freight into DFW with just over one million tons originating in Mexico and
passing through ports of entry such as Laredo or El Paso. Intermodal transport
(multiple modes) moves approximately 1.3 million tons overall and approximately
600,000 tons of international freight.
The outbound freight flows (Figure 9) reflect DFW’s role as a major distribution center.
The outbound flows are more dispersed across the major metropolitan areas within the
State. The effect of international freight again is very evident. Over $6.4 billion in
outbound international freight from DFW passes through El Paso and $6.1 billion moves
through Laredo. Houston handles approximately $1.5 billion in outbound international
freight. However, Houston represents the single largest destination for DFW outbound
freight.
Origin
Austin TX MSA
Beaumont TX MSA
Corpus Christi TX CSA
El Paso TX MSA
Houston TX CSA
Laredo TX MSA
San Antonio TX MSA
Remainder of Texas
Total:
Total Value
($M 2012)
Pct
$
4,239.30
6%
$
551.92
1%
$
1,794.08
2%
$
8,487.06 11%
$
15,759.19 21%
$
6,897.24
9%
$
5,668.69
8%
$
31,310.18 42%
$
74,707.66
Dallas-Fort Worth TX CSA
$
164,421.77
Domestic Value
($M 2012)
$
4,209.40
$
527.25
$
1,286.30
$
1,969.86
$
14,191.12
$
747.75
$
5,640.56
$
25,114.07
$
53,686.30
$
Pct
8%
1%
2%
4%
26%
1%
11%
47%
142,251.48
Total Tons
(Ktons 2012)
2,338.62
555.79
1,063.77
4,108.71
12,438.98
3,727.90
3,550.30
27,588.32
55,372.40
160,400.78
Domestic Tons
Pct (Ktons 2012)
Pct
4%
2,337.16 5%
1%
507.87 1%
2%
479.98 1%
7%
1,066.75 2%
22%
10,834.93 25%
7%
318.74 1%
6%
3,548.93 8%
50%
23,923.08 56%
43,017.44
160,204.21
Figure 9 Texas Outbound Freight
Source: Center for Logistics Education and Research, University of North Texas, Analysis of Freight Flows,
Federal Highway Administration, Freight Analysis Framework Database Tool
Outbound Mode
Truck
Rail
Air (include truck-air)
Multiple modes & mail
Pipeline
Other and unknown
Total:
Total Value
($M 2012)
Pct
$
57,205.59 77%
$
2,373.51 3%
$
285.01 0%
$
11,041.39 15%
$
3,157.58 4%
$
644.58 1%
$
74,707.66
Domestic Value
($M 2012)
Pct
$
39,703.16 74%
$
157.82 0%
$
238.38 0%
$
10,876.43 20%
$
2,318.03 4%
$
392.48 1%
$
53,686.30
Total Tons
Domestic Tons
(Ktons 2012)
(Ktons 2012)
Pct
Pct
41,931.02 76%
34,437.46 80%
3,251.27 6%
1,182.08 3%
2.35 0%
2.06 0%
2,048.71 4%
1,777.49 4%
7,820.27 14%
5,417.86 13%
318.78 1%
200.49 0%
55,372.40
43,017.44
Figure 10 Texas Inbound Freight to DFW by Mode of Transportation
Source: Center for Logistics Education and Research, University of North Texas, Analysis of Freight Flows,
Federal Highway Administration, Freight Analysis Framework Database Tool
North Texas and DFW Metroplex Freight Flows and Analysis
8
Motor carries dominate outbound flows (Figure 10) to a greater extent than inbound
flows—again reflecting DFW’s role as a major distribution point within the State.
Outbound rail volumes exceed inbound for intra-State flows with nearly two-thirds, or
two million tons destined for international locations.
DFW – State Freight Flows
Total inbound freight (international and domestic) originating outside Texas is $183
billion (Figure 11). Two states, California and Alaska, account for over 25 percent of
this total. These two states are the major ports of entry for international ocean and air
cargo arriving from China and Southeast Asia. The top ten states capture over 55
percent of the total value destined for North Texas.
State
California
Alaska
Illinois
Ohio
Michigan
Oklahoma
New York
Tennessee
Georgia
New Jersey
Kansas
Louisiana
Wisconsin
Indiana
Pennsylvania
Arkansas
Florida
Minnesota
North Carolina
Missouri
Arizona
Iowa
South Carolina
Virginia
Kentucky
$M (2012) % Inbound
$ 30,912.12
16.87%
$ 18,808.74
10.27%
$ 7,216.94
3.94%
$ 7,061.78
3.85%
$ 6,801.41
3.71%
$ 6,718.60
3.67%
$ 6,703.01
3.66%
$ 6,424.04
3.51%
$ 5,982.92
3.27%
$ 5,869.08
3.20%
$ 5,624.44
3.07%
$ 4,438.08
2.42%
$ 3,735.99
2.04%
$ 3,685.07
2.01%
$ 3,652.74
1.99%
$ 3,546.96
1.94%
$ 3,497.10
1.91%
$ 3,471.57
1.90%
$ 3,438.39
1.88%
$ 3,065.64
1.67%
$ 2,973.87
1.62%
$ 2,861.57
1.56%
$ 2,653.74
1.45%
$ 2,573.34
1.40%
$ 2,407.76
1.31%
State
Colorado
Mississippi
Washington
Nebraska
Oregon
Massachusetts
Alabama
Utah
New Mexico
Maryland
Connecticut
Wyoming
Montana
Vermont
North Dakota
Idaho
West Virginia
Nevada
New Hampshire
Delaware
Maine
Rhode Island
South Dakota
Hawaii
Washington DC
$M (2012) % Inbound
$ 2,390.48
1.30%
$ 2,011.14
1.10%
$ 1,994.54
1.09%
$ 1,953.35
1.07%
$ 1,924.98
1.05%
$ 1,916.67
1.05%
$ 1,823.84
1.00%
$ 1,769.17
0.97%
$ 1,612.42
0.88%
$ 1,571.13
0.86%
$ 1,534.47
0.84%
$ 1,394.61
0.76%
$ 1,344.13
0.73%
$ 1,113.56
0.61%
$ 1,023.43
0.56%
$ 975.09
0.53%
$ 690.94
0.38%
$ 625.20
0.34%
$ 384.79
0.21%
$ 308.42
0.17%
$ 277.43
0.15%
$ 235.08
0.13%
$ 181.59
0.10%
$ 11.41
0.01%
$
3.11
0.00%
Figure 11 Inbound Total (International and Domestic) Freight Value by State
Source: Center for Logistics Education and Research, University of North Texas, Analysis of Freight Flows,
Federal Highway Administration, Freight Analysis Framework Database Tool
Domestic inbound freight by state of origin (Figure 12) is $145 billion. California is the
single largest state for originating freight at $19 billion, or 13.24 percent of the total
North Texas and DFW Metroplex Freight Flows and Analysis
9
inbound value. The top five states account for 31 percent of the domestic inbound
value. The most significant difference between the top states for international and
domestic freight value is associated with Alaska. The $18 billion in total value is almost
entirely international freight. Domestic freight originating in Alaska is only $300 million.
Although California ranks first for inbound total and domestic freight value, one-third or
$10 billion of the total inbound value is international freight passing through West caost
sea or air ports of entry.
State
California
Illinois
Ohio
Oklahoma
Tennessee
New York
Georgia
Kansas
Michigan
New Jersey
Louisiana
Wisconsin
Indiana
Pennsylvania
Arkansas
North Carolina
Florida
Minnesota
Missouri
Iowa
Arizona
Virginia
Kentucky
Colorado
South Carolina
$M (2012) % Inbound
19,213.30
13.24%
7,164.23
4.94%
6,711.16
4.63%
6,693.63
4.61%
6,418.21
4.42%
6,413.03
4.42%
5,581.35
3.85%
5,568.75
3.84%
5,289.26
3.65%
4,994.37
3.44%
4,103.25
2.83%
3,731.29
2.57%
3,679.88
2.54%
3,592.29
2.48%
3,546.04
2.44%
3,422.05
2.36%
3,336.15
2.30%
3,194.24
2.20%
3,060.41
2.11%
2,861.21
1.97%
2,706.54
1.87%
2,473.52
1.70%
2,399.03
1.65%
2,384.35
1.64%
2,329.16
1.61%
State
$M (2012) % Inbound
Nebraska
1,953.08
1.35%
Oregon
1,915.03
1.32%
Massachusetts
1,893.82
1.31%
Mississippi
1,835.31
1.27%
Alabama
1,806.11
1.24%
Utah
1,768.12
1.22%
Washington
1,660.46
1.14%
Connecticut
1,525.86
1.05%
Maryland
1,486.53
1.02%
New Mexico
1,485.03
1.02%
Wyoming
1,394.61
0.96%
Idaho
971.23
0.67%
Montana
916.32
0.63%
West Virginia
690.85
0.48%
Nevada
583.14
0.40%
North Dakota
558.53
0.38%
New Hampshire
383.25
0.26%
Delaware
307.61
0.21%
Alaska
300.20
0.21%
Rhode Island
234.65
0.16%
Maine
218.78
0.15%
South Dakota
181.25
0.12%
Vermont
131.29
0.09%
Hawaii
9.87
0.01%
Washington DC
3.11
0.00%
Figure 12 Inbound Domestic Freight Value by State
Source: Center for Logistics Education and Research, University of North Texas, Analysis of Freight Flows,
Federal Highway Administration, Freight Analysis Framework Database Tool
Inbound tonnage originating outside Texas totals 88.7 million tons of total freight (Figure
13), and 82 million tons for domestic freight (Figure 14). Oklahoma is the state
originating the most inbound tonnage bound for North Texas at almost 12 million tons.
The top five states account for 37 percent of the inbound tonnage-both for international
and domestic freight.
North Texas and DFW Metroplex Freight Flows and Analysis
10
State
Oklahoma
California
Louisiana
Illinois
Colorado
Wyoming
Arkansas
New York
Montana
Minnesota
Wisconsin
Missouri
New Mexico
Kansas
Georgia
Ohio
Idaho
Iowa
North Dakota
Alabama
Michigan
Pennsylvania
Washington
Tennessee
Kentucky
KTons (2012) % Inbound
11,967.26
13.49%
6,363.84
7.17%
5,270.87
5.94%
5,172.63
5.83%
4,513.12
5.09%
3,910.90
4.41%
3,582.86
4.04%
3,213.58
3.62%
2,261.55
2.55%
2,247.96
2.53%
2,198.33
2.48%
2,118.11
2.39%
1,956.29
2.20%
1,950.44
2.20%
1,919.12
2.16%
1,906.81
2.15%
1,795.83
2.02%
1,794.68
2.02%
1,776.00
2.00%
1,595.30
1.80%
1,578.64
1.78%
1,516.11
1.71%
1,353.61
1.53%
1,327.29
1.50%
1,315.14
1.48%
State
KTons (2012) % Inbound
Mississippi
1,263.71
1.42%
Indiana
1,173.55
1.32%
North Carolina
1,098.45
1.24%
Nebraska
1,055.58
1.19%
Arizona
1,008.72
1.14%
Alaska
982.20
1.11%
Virginia
975.75
1.10%
South Carolina
919.84
1.04%
Utah
889.81
1.00%
Florida
729.89
0.82%
Maryland
682.83
0.77%
West Virginia
631.71
0.71%
Massachusetts
627.88
0.71%
New Jersey
527.12
0.59%
Oregon
437.71
0.49%
Maine
358.92
0.40%
Connecticut
204.28
0.23%
New Hampshire
171.37
0.19%
South Dakota
152.57
0.17%
Nevada
75.22
0.08%
Vermont
69.64
0.08%
Delaware
64.50
0.07%
Rhode Island
30.08
0.03%
Hawaii
6.36
0.01%
Washington DC
0.79
0.00%
Figure 13 Inbound Total (International and Domestic) Freight Tonnage by State
Source: Center for Logistics Education and Research, University of North Texas, Analysis of Freight Flows,
Federal Highway Administration, Freight Analysis Framework Database Tool
California and Michigan reflect the greatest differences between total (Figure 13) and
domestic freight (Figure 14) tonnage. California originates a total of 6.3 million tons and
ranks second in total tonnage. However, over half of this tonnage originated from an
international location, and California ranks sixth in inbound domestic tonnage with 3.1
million tons. Almost one-third of the total inbound tonnage from Michigan is
international. The domestic tonnage originating in Michigan is 1.0 million tons.
North Texas and DFW Metroplex Freight Flows and Analysis
11
State
Oklahoma
Illinois
Louisiana
Colorado
Wyoming
Arkansas
California
New York
Wisconsin
Missouri
Montana
Kansas
Ohio
New Mexico
Minnesota
Iowa
Idaho
Georgia
Alabama
North Dakota
Tennessee
Kentucky
Pennsylvania
Mississippi
Indiana
KTons (2012) % Inbound
11,966.53
15%
5,171.07
6%
5,166.90
6%
4,510.42
5%
3,910.90
5%
3,582.86
4%
3,162.15
4%
3,134.97
4%
2,198.18
3%
2,118.06
3%
2,112.59
3%
1,950.02
2%
1,898.22
2%
1,893.72
2%
1,821.53
2%
1,794.68
2%
1,792.10
2%
1,757.72
2%
1,576.66
2%
1,353.81
2%
1,327.12
2%
1,314.48
2%
1,255.55
2%
1,241.94
2%
1,173.46
1%
State
KTons (2012) % Inbound
Washington
1,140.42
1%
North Carolina
1,088.84
1%
Michigan
1,081.70
1%
Nebraska
1,055.57
1%
Virginia
946.29
1%
Utah
889.80
1%
Arizona
843.00
1%
Alaska
820.72
1%
South Carolina
733.70
1%
West Virginia
631.71
1%
Florida
624.74
1%
Massachusetts
615.16
1%
Maryland
588.82
1%
Oregon
414.50
1%
Maine
341.13
0%
New Jersey
295.22
0%
Connecticut
191.07
0%
New Hampshire
170.69
0%
South Dakota
152.57
0%
Nevada
75.13
0%
Delaware
64.17
0%
Vermont
55.59
0%
Rhode Island
30.06
0%
Hawaii
5.11
0%
Washington DC
0.78
0%
Figure 14 Inbound Domestic Freight Tonnage by State
Source: Center for Logistics Education and Research, University of North Texas, Analysis of Freight Flows,
Federal Highway Administration, Freight Analysis Framework Database Tool
DFW total outbound freight flows by value (Figure 15) have patterns similar to those
detected in the analysis of inbound freight. The total freight value of outbound
shipments (excluding Texas) from DFW is $157 billion of which international freight is
$18.7 billion or 11.9 percent of the total dollar volume. California leads as the top
destination state for DFW freight with $19.7 billion shipped or 12.54 percent of the total
outbound value. Outbound freight volumes are highly concentrated among just a few
states. The top five states receive 35 percent of the total outbound volume, and the top
ten account for nearly 53 percent of the value shipped.
North Texas and DFW Metroplex Freight Flows and Analysis
12
State
California
Oklahoma
Louisiana
Alaska
Florida
Illinois
Michigan
Ohio
New York
Georgia
Pennsylvania
Colorado
Kansas
Arkansas
Tennessee
Missouri
Arizona
Indiana
North Carolina
Alabama
Washington
Virginia
New Jersey
Mississippi
South Carolina
$M (2012) % Outbound
$ 19,704.21
12.54%
$ 11,869.93
7.55%
$ 8,625.34
5.49%
$ 8,567.28
5.45%
$ 6,802.02
4.33%
$ 6,308.25
4.01%
$ 5,774.15
3.67%
$ 5,360.75
3.41%
$ 5,003.38
3.18%
$ 4,997.39
3.18%
$ 4,852.09
3.09%
$ 4,611.81
2.93%
$ 4,583.26
2.92%
$ 4,361.77
2.78%
$ 4,220.12
2.69%
$ 3,714.23
2.36%
$ 3,530.67
2.25%
$ 3,235.26
2.06%
$ 3,182.62
2.03%
$ 2,868.25
1.83%
$ 2,790.32
1.78%
$ 2,763.88
1.76%
$ 2,541.27
1.62%
$ 2,226.79
1.42%
$ 1,838.40
1.17%
State
Minnesota
Massachusetts
New Mexico
Kentucky
Utah
Wisconsin
Iowa
Maryland
Oregon
Nevada
Nebraska
Connecticut
Montana
North Dakota
New Hampshire
Rhode Island
South Dakota
Wyoming
Idaho
Hawaii
West Virginia
Delaware
Maine
Washington DC
Vermont
$M (2012) % Outbound
$ 1,807.84
1.15%
$ 1,716.58
1.09%
$ 1,678.13
1.07%
$ 1,638.82
1.04%
$ 1,565.69
1.00%
$ 1,551.03
0.99%
$ 1,536.92
0.98%
$ 1,496.53
0.95%
$ 1,489.49
0.95%
$ 1,119.62
0.71%
$ 1,085.23
0.69%
$ 1,021.93
0.65%
$
939.64
0.60%
$
740.68
0.47%
$
644.11
0.41%
$
534.77
0.34%
$
469.25
0.30%
$
370.04
0.24%
$
328.11
0.21%
$
279.84
0.18%
$
258.96
0.16%
$
182.65
0.12%
$
161.00
0.10%
$
109.33
0.07%
$
76.91
0.05%
Figure 15 Outbound Total (International and Domestic) DFW Freight by Value by State
Source: Center for Logistics Education and Research, University of North Texas, Analysis of Freight Flows,
Federal Highway Administration, Freight Analysis Framework Database Tool
International shipments are a significant portion of the freight value shipped to three of
the top ten states. Alaska ranks as the top state, other than Texas, as the US
intermediate destination for outbound international shipments. Over 97 percent, or
$8.38 billion, of shipments leaving DFW for Alaska are eventually bound for
international destinations. Anchorage serves as a major stopping point for international
air cargo en route to China and Southeast Asia. Outbound international shipments to
California have the next largest value, or $3.8 billion. International shipments passing
through Michigan are $2.78 billion. 7
7
International volumes are the difference between the values shown in Tables 15 and 16.
North Texas and DFW Metroplex Freight Flows and Analysis
13
DFW ships over $138 billion in domestic freight to locations outside Texas (Figure 16).
The most freight, when expressed in dollar value, is shipped to California ($15.8 billion),
Oklahoma ($11.8 billion), and Louisiana ($8.2 billion). Similar to total outbound
shipments, domestic outbound volumes are highly concentrated. The top five locations
represent 35 percent and the top ten 52.5 percent of the outbound dollar volume.
State
California
Oklahoma
Louisiana
Florida
Illinois
Ohio
Pennsylvania
Georgia
Colorado
Kansas
New York
Arkansas
Tennessee
Missouri
Arizona
Indiana
North Carolina
Michigan
Alabama
Virginia
Washington
New Jersey
Mississippi
South Carolina
Massachusetts
$M (2012) % Outbound
11.43%
$ 15,851.53
8.53%
$ 11,837.44
5.94%
$ 8,245.95
4.83%
$ 6,697.84
4.55%
$ 6,306.49
3.63%
$ 5,041.31
3.49%
$ 4,846.38
$ 4,835.22
3.49%
3.32%
$ 4,610.32
3.30%
$ 4,581.99
3.26%
$ 4,522.10
3.13%
$ 4,338.91
3.04%
$ 4,216.73
$ 3,713.78
2.68%
$ 3,463.98
2.50%
2.33%
$ 3,234.31
$ 3,180.32
2.29%
2.15%
$ 2,986.09
2.06%
$ 2,858.97
1.95%
$ 2,707.95
$ 2,578.86
1.86%
$ 2,461.96
1.77%
1.60%
$ 2,225.13
$ 1,730.99
1.25%
1.23%
$ 1,706.27
State
Minnesota
New Mexico
Kentucky
Utah
Wisconsin
Iowa
Oregon
Maryland
Nevada
Nebraska
Connecticut
New Hampshire
Rhode Island
South Dakota
Montana
Wyoming
North Dakota
Idaho
Hawaii
West Virginia
Delaware
Alaska
Maine
Washington DC
Vermont
$M (2012) % Outbound
1.21%
$ 1,674.04
1.18%
$ 1,637.55
1.13%
$ 1,570.02
1.13%
$ 1,565.62
1.12%
$ 1,550.06
1.11%
$ 1,536.89
$ 1,480.13
1.07%
1.03%
$ 1,432.52
0.81%
$ 1,119.57
$ 1,085.22
0.78%
0.74%
$ 1,021.87
0.46%
$
644.00
0.39%
$
534.59
0.34%
$
469.16
0.27%
$
376.47
0.27%
$
370.04
0.25%
$
347.96
0.23%
$
321.31
0.20%
$
279.67
$
258.24
0.19%
0.13%
$
182.36
0.13%
$
179.60
0.10%
$
140.72
0.08%
$
109.28
0.05%
$
71.61
Figure 16 Outbound Domestic DFW Freight by Value by State
Source: Center for Logistics Education and Research, University of North Texas, Analysis of Freight Flows,
Federal Highway Administration, Freight Analysis Framework Database Tool
North Texas and DFW Metroplex Freight Flows and Analysis
14
The DFW area ships over 71 million tons to locations outside Texas (Figure 17) of
which 67 million tons are domestic shipments (Figure 18) and the remaining 4 million
tons pass through a port of exit destined for an international location. Oklahoma is the
state receiving the most interstate freight from DFW at 9 million tons, or 12.57 percent
of the total. California (7.8 million tons) and Louisiana (5.2 million tons) are the next two
states receiving the most tonnage. Outbound freight tonnage is concentrated in several
states. The top five states represent over 40 percent of the total tonnage and the top
ten states account for over 58 percent.
State
KTons (2012) % Outbound
Oklahoma
9,024.09
12.57%
California
7,838.27
10.92%
Louisiana
5,206.44
7.25%
Kansas
3,471.67
4.84%
Illinois
3,464.16
4.83%
Michigan
3,148.16
4.39%
Ohio
2,837.33
3.95%
New York
2,503.08
3.49%
Indiana
2,428.82
3.38%
Arkansas
2,109.87
2.94%
Georgia
2,015.07
2.81%
Colorado
1,945.83
2.71%
Pennsylvania
1,921.11
2.68%
Florida
1,853.71
2.58%
Tennessee
1,680.53
2.34%
Missouri
1,454.28
2.03%
New Jersey
1,340.34
1.87%
Minnesota
1,253.40
1.75%
New Mexico
1,145.11
1.60%
Arizona
1,016.10
1.42%
Washington
945.60
1.32%
Wisconsin
943.87
1.32%
Alabama
922.38
1.29%
Kentucky
919.65
1.28%
North Carolina
917.23
1.28%
State
KTons (2012) % Outbound
Mississippi
913.48
1.27%
Virginia
824.85
1.15%
Massachusetts
803.33
1.12%
Iowa
765.40
1.07%
Oregon
676.94
0.94%
Utah
596.68
0.83%
Nevada
562.22
0.78%
Maryland
546.86
0.76%
South Carolina
492.43
0.69%
Nebraska
435.58
0.61%
Connecticut
431.20
0.60%
Montana
371.53
0.52%
North Dakota
326.57
0.46%
Alaska
265.44
0.37%
West Virginia
216.47
0.30%
New Hampshire
212.67
0.30%
Wyoming
199.61
0.28%
Idaho
186.57
0.26%
Rhode Island
174.49
0.24%
Maine
127.12
0.18%
South Dakota
126.64
0.18%
Delaware
99.58
0.14%
Washington DC
65.50
0.09%
Vermont
27.13
0.04%
Hawaii
14.02
0.02%
Figure 17 Outbound Total (International and Domestic) DFW Freight by Tonnage by State
Source: Center for Logistics Education and Research, University of North Texas, Analysis of Freight Flows,
Federal Highway Administration, Freight Analysis Framework Database Tool
North Texas and DFW Metroplex Freight Flows and Analysis
15
A review of the domestic freight volumes reveals a similar view of outbound freight with
a few notable differences. The tonnage moved to several states differs from the total
tonnage due the movement of over 4 million tons of international freight. The states
receiving the largest amount of international freight tonnage from North Texas include:
Michigan (1.45 million tons), California (1.32 million tons), Louisiana (440 thousand
tons), Montana (220 thousand tons), and New York (205 thousand tons).
KTons (2012) % Outbound
State
13.43%
Oklahoma
9,023.20
9.70%
6,517.69
California
7.09%
Louisiana
4,761.63
3,471.66
5.17%
Kansas
5.16%
Illinois
3,464.13
2,831.95
4.22%
Ohio
3.62%
2,428.79
Indiana
3.42%
New York
2,297.87
3.14%
Arkansas
2,109.82
2.90%
Georgia
1,946.94
1,945.83
2.90%
Colorado
1,918.22
2.86%
Pennsylvania
2.71%
Florida
1,822.65
Michigan
1,697.28
2.53%
2.50%
1,680.43
Tennessee
Missouri
1,454.27
2.17%
New Jersey
1,285.80
1.91%
New Mexico
1,134.56
1.69%
Minnesota
1,059.28
1.58%
970.63
1.45%
Arizona
943.85
1.41%
Wisconsin
1.37%
Kentucky
919.15
North Carolina
915.94
1.36%
Mississippi
912.44
1.36%
1.35%
Alabama
904.17
KTons (2012) % Outbound
State
1.19%
Massachusetts
801.12
794.44
1.18%
Washington
1.18%
Virginia
790.08
1.14%
Iowa
765.40
0.99%
667.79
Oregon
0.89%
596.67
Utah
562.22
0.84%
Nevada
Maryland
538.29
0.80%
0.67%
South Carolina
446.74
0.65%
Nebraska
435.58
Connecticut
431.20
0.64%
0.32%
West Virginia
216.46
0.32%
New Hampshire
212.64
Wyoming
199.61
0.30%
0.29%
Alaska
193.60
0.26%
Idaho
177.33
Rhode Island
174.28
0.26%
Montana
151.49
0.23%
145.84
0.22%
North Dakota
0.19%
South Dakota
126.64
119.85
0.18%
Maine
0.15%
Delaware
99.33
Washington DC
65.50
0.10%
24.97
0.04%
Vermont
0.02%
Hawaii
13.92
Figure 18 Outbound Domestic DFW Freight by Value by State
Source: Center for Logistics Education and Research, University of North Texas, Analysis of Freight Flows,
Federal Highway Administration, Freight Analysis Framework Database Tool
Freight Flows by Commodity
The value of goods transported into the North Texas region varies considerably by
commodity and whether inbound or outbound. Figure 19 provides the inbound value by
commodity. Inbound figures are provided for international and domestic origins at the
DFW CSA, Texas, and interstate (states other than Texas) levels. The top three
North Texas and DFW Metroplex Freight Flows and Analysis
16
commodities (electronics, machinery, and motorized vehicles account for 35 percent of
the total inbound freight.
Domestic
DFW $M
(2012)
Electronics
$ 7,822.31
Machinery
$ 23,122.07
Motorized vehicles
$ 8,822.16
Mixed freight
$ 10,460.29
Coal-n.e.c.
$ 6,121.09
Misc. mfg. prods.
$ 5,029.74
Gasoline
$ 11,024.99
Textiles/leather
$ 3,848.35
Pharmaceuticals
$ 3,019.55
Articles-base metal
$ 5,307.02
$ 5,098.40
Other foodstuffs
Base metals
$ 4,529.05
Plastics/rubber
$ 3,192.78
Transport equip.
$ 1,052.79
Chemical prods.
$ 4,679.96
Fuel oils
$ 5,530.51
Meat/seafood
$ 2,583.47
Furniture
$ 4,179.18
Precision instruments $ 1,095.14
Nonmetal min. prods. $ 3,827.41
Unknown
$ 5,209.35
Wood prods.
$ 2,568.51
Alcoholic beverages
$ 3,137.08
Printed prods.
$ 1,429.40
Basic chemicals
$
746.97
$
852.44
Milled grain prods.
Paper articles
$ 1,281.09
Newsprint/paper
$
876.24
Other ag prods.
$ 1,383.56
Tobacco prods.
$ 1,677.80
Waste/scrap
$ 1,292.07
Cereal grains
$
219.73
Animal feed
$
307.22
Live animals/fish
$
107.05
Fertilizers
$
191.66
Nonmetallic minerals $
155.15
Natural sands
$
152.53
Building stone
$
132.09
Gravel
$
105.50
Logs
$
46.43
Metallic ores
$
32.56
Coal
$
0.71
Crude petroleum
$
0.07
Total:
$142,251.48
Commodity
International
DFW
$M (2012)
$ 11,152.46
$
6,659.56
$
65.46
446.02
$
0.80
$
$
430.09
$
139.55
$
$
228.34
212.33
$
9.89
$
$
30.85
$
103.08
841.78
$
192.67
$
$
$
7.22
97.35
$
$
1,171.74
45.36
$
$
$
2.06
1.96
$
$
55.72
$
239.01
$
0.10
$
5.47
0.00
$
$
8.74
$
1.15
$
$
0.25
$
3.30
$
15.25
$
0.00
$
0.77
$
$
$
$
1.98
$
$
$
$ 22,170.29
Total
Domestic International Domestic International
Interstate
Interstate
Inbound
Texas
Texas
$M (2012)
$M (2012)
$M (2012)
$M (2012)
$M (2012)
$ 2,519.37 $ 6,831.48 $ 20,835.91 $ 14,667.49 $ 63,829.03
$ 2,091.89 $ 2,608.56 $ 8,130.37 $ 6,770.99 $ 49,383.44
$ 9,647.97 $ 2,079.26 $ 12,633.77 $
982.54 $ 34,231.16
$ 3,972.13 $
489.41 $ 4,894.70 $
999.33 $ 21,261.87
$ 1,473.88 $
350.41 $ 9,819.26 $
253.25 $ 18,018.70
$ 758.13 $
217.11 $ 8,174.86 $ 2,350.31 $ 16,960.22
$ 5,037.68 $
46.80 $
295.79 $
7.92 $ 16,413.18
$ 902.58 $
507.49 $ 7,263.07 $ 2,832.81 $ 15,493.86
$ 2,070.50 $
13.87 $ 8,834.59 $
318.72 $ 14,485.56
$ 1,436.92 $
701.74 $ 4,644.40 $ 1,174.91 $ 13,477.32
$ 1,718.42 $
333.94 $ 5,966.28 $
132.53 $ 13,259.46
$ 1,909.91 $
681.58 $ 4,957.40 $
287.28 $ 12,396.08
$ 1,275.09 $
516.75 $ 5,934.47 $ 1,136.08 $ 12,158.26
$ 253.13 $
43.85 $ 7,859.90 $ 1,517.82 $ 11,569.27
$ 765.52 $
248.53 $ 4,704.08 $
403.67 $ 10,994.42
$ 3,886.80 $
196.94 $
251.53 $
11.66 $ 9,877.44
$ 2,332.19 $
19.79 $ 4,338.85 $
167.20 $ 9,448.72
$ 307.30 $
664.77 $ 2,267.57 $ 1,124.76 $ 8,640.93
$ 286.04 $
643.65 $ 4,333.90 $
792.21 $ 8,322.67
$ 714.75 $
548.71 $ 2,097.32 $
630.89 $ 7,864.44
$
66.91 $
49.21 $
$
$ 5,325.46
$ 521.23 $
44.19 $ 1,681.70 $
438.12 $ 5,255.81
$ 396.34 $
179.90 $
896.08 $
29.29 $ 4,640.65
$ 367.68 $
307.03 $ 2,020.05 $
129.44 $ 4,309.32
$ 597.71 $
353.58 $ 1,775.44 $
498.98 $ 4,211.69
$ 467.58 $
74.21 $ 2,361.75 $
35.40 $ 3,791.48
$ 380.32 $
64.10 $ 1,687.89 $
105.42 $ 3,524.29
$ 221.67 $
12.69 $ 2,311.75 $
75.44 $ 3,497.78
$ 304.62 $
380.79 $ 1,092.38 $
112.88 $ 3,282.96
$ 147.39 $
1.12 $
370.38 $
0.71 $ 2,198.54
$ 463.98 $
0.40 $
212.43 $
12.92 $ 1,981.80
$ 226.08 $
1.50 $
824.78 $
8.07 $ 1,280.41
$
77.86 $
5.20 $
639.85 $
12.32 $ 1,045.74
$ 194.17 $
86.72 $
204.94 $
66.62 $
674.74
$ 107.28 $
14.73 $
152.34 $
3.59 $
469.60
$
52.84 $
34.37 $
149.17 $
10.05 $
402.34
$
13.14 $
$
163.71 $
0.01 $
329.39
$
96.87 $
3.98 $
13.24 $
2.83 $
249.01
$
50.42 $
0.01 $
30.93 $
0.04 $
186.90
$
18.70 $
0.10 $
80.98 $
0.31 $
146.51
$
19.61 $
1.26 $
51.05 $
10.33 $
116.79
$
0.01 $
0.30 $
72.68 $
73.72
$
$
0.00 $
$
0.00 $
$
0.07
$ 48,152.57 $ 19,310.82 $145,080.76 $ 38,115.11 $ 415,081.02
Pct of
Total
Value
15%
12%
8%
5%
4%
4%
4%
4%
3%
3%
3%
3%
3%
3%
3%
2%
2%
2%
2%
2%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
100%
Figure 19 Inbound Domestic DFW Freight by Commodity by Value
Source: Center for Logistics Education and Research, University of North Texas, Analysis of Freight Flows,
Federal Highway Administration, Freight Analysis Framework Database Tool
North Texas and DFW Metroplex Freight Flows and Analysis
17
Outbound commodity flows (Figure 20) reflect the DFW region’s role as a major logistics
hub. Local distribution centers perform value-added services to these goods before
distributing within DFW, Texas, the United States, as well as Canada, Mexico, and other
Domestic
DFW
$M (2012)
Electronics
$ 7,822.31
Machinery
$ 23,122.07
Misc. mfg. prods.
$ 5,029.74
Mixed freight
$ 10,460.29
$ 8,822.16
Motorized vehicles
Chemical prods.
$ 4,679.96
$ 6,121.09
Coal-n.e.c.
Pharmaceuticals
$ 3,019.55
Gasoline
$ 11,024.99
Plastics/rubber
$ 3,192.78
Articles-base metal
$ 5,307.02
Furniture
$ 4,179.18
Other foodstuffs
$ 5,098.40
Base metals
$ 4,529.05
Textiles/leather
$ 3,848.35
Precision instruments $ 1,095.14
Fuel oils
$ 5,530.51
Crude petroleum
$
0.07
Transport equip.
$ 1,052.79
Nonmetal min. prods. $ 3,827.41
$ 2,583.47
Meat/seafood
Unknown
$ 5,209.35
Alcoholic beverages
$ 3,137.08
Printed prods.
$ 1,429.40
Wood prods.
$ 2,568.51
Basic chemicals
$
746.97
Other ag prods.
$ 1,383.56
Paper articles
$ 1,281.09
Waste/scrap
$ 1,292.07
Tobacco prods.
$ 1,677.80
Milled grain prods.
$
852.44
Newsprint/paper
$
876.24
Animal feed
$
307.22
Cereal grains
$
219.73
Metallic ores
$
32.56
Live animals/fish
$
107.05
Fertilizers
$
191.66
Nonmetallic minerals $
155.15
Building stone
$
132.09
Natural sands
$
152.53
Gravel
$
105.50
Logs
$
46.43
Coal
$
0.71
$142,251.48
Total:
Commodity
International
DFW
$M (2012)
$ 11,152.46
$ 6,659.56
$
430.09
$
446.02
$
65.46
$
192.67
$
0.80
$
228.34
$
$
103.08
$
212.33
$
97.35
$
9.89
$
30.85
$
139.55
$ 1,171.74
$
$
$
841.78
$
45.36
$
7.22
$
$
1.96
$
55.72
$
2.06
$
239.01
$
8.74
$
5.47
$
$
1.15
$
0.10
$
0.00
$
3.30
$
0.25
$
1.98
$
15.25
$
0.00
$
0.77
$
$
$
$
$
$ 22,170.29
Total
Domestic International Domestic International
Interstate
Interstate
Texas
Texas
Outbound
$M (2012)
$M (2012)
$M (2012)
$M (2012)
$M (2012)
$ 4,991.97 $ 4,935.46 $ 21,090.39 $ 4,975.23 $ 54,967.83
$ 2,608.54 $ 3,787.70 $ 9,163.15 $ 4,874.18 $ 50,215.19
240.60 $ 26,408.55
246.50 $ 17,320.19 $
$ 3,141.43 $
219.03 $ 26,184.44
137.20 $ 7,340.47 $
$ 7,581.44 $
585.03 $ 22,681.32
$ 3,391.49 $ 1,924.86 $ 7,892.32 $
429.55 $ 19,863.28
$ 4,326.59 $
500.27 $ 9,734.24 $
410.63 $ 19,782.81
$ 1,583.32 $ 1,294.59 $ 10,372.39 $
324.76 $ 13,549.86
21.59 $ 7,295.27 $
$ 2,660.35 $
0.00 $ 13,463.29
1.18 $ 1,660.01 $
$
777.11 $
980.47 $ 12,473.19
$ 1,997.57 $ 1,839.84 $ 4,359.44 $
399.15 $ 12,005.73
794.78 $ 3,997.93 $
$ 1,294.52 $
209.35 $ 10,585.47
151.87 $ 4,613.03 $
$ 1,334.70 $
87.30 $ 10,580.30
219.90 $ 3,125.42 $
$ 2,039.39 $
129.14 $ 9,979.22
$ 1,788.48 $ 1,117.23 $ 2,384.46 $
181.45 $ 9,534.67
$
651.83 $ 3,733.52 $
979.96 $
989.19 $ 9,199.01
792.21 $ 4,158.94 $
$
991.79 $
(0.00) $ 7,358.60
539.74 $
11.42 $
$ 1,276.93 $
$ 7,149.92
$ 5,208.82 $
$ 1,941.03 $
636.41 $ 7,080.90
97.42 $ 4,286.94 $
$
165.55 $
83.62 $ 6,230.98
926.17 $
$ 1,225.61 $
122.82 $
17.60 $ 5,807.26
294.65 $ 1,387.51 $
$ 1,516.81 $
33.80 $ 5,280.43
12.15 $
10.08 $
$
15.05 $
597.57 $
8.35 $ 4,768.28
39.36 $
$
983.96 $
62.95 $ 4,534.83
56.49 $ 2,149.21 $
$
781.07 $
792.38 $
11.05 $ 4,350.44
46.76 $
$
929.68 $
981.42 $
866.96 $ 4,201.31
927.08 $
$
439.87 $
384.11 $ 3,053.39
356.07 $
681.47 $
$
239.44 $
49.40 $ 2,853.40
268.27 $
680.11 $
$
569.06 $
713.14 $
614.94 $ 2,772.82
12.27 $
$
140.39 $
192.00 $
0.23 $ 2,094.26
$
7.58 $
215.50 $
9.00 $ 1,778.45
411.29 $
$
443.52 $
62.09 $
51.91 $ 1,643.82
448.28 $
64.61 $
$
202.79 $
101.34 $ 1,009.97
131.89 $
$
83.48 $
382.75 $
41.46 $
594.83
87.23 $
$
101.25 $
144.91 $
520.86
37.77 $
371.46 $
$
8.51 $
68.58 $
471.36
7.59 $
$
315.63 $
16.35 $
9.50 $
2.85 $
371.92
134.10 $
$
36.47 $
6.84 $
307.55
10.93 $
6.25 $
6.52 $
$
127.93 $
71.76 $
0.00 $
206.43
0.02 $
$
2.55 $
181.14
11.36 $
0.08 $
$
0.00 $
17.17 $
120.82
0.03 $
0.00 $
$
15.30 $
0.00 $
47.10
0.02 $
0.51 $
$
0.12 $
0.01 $
$
$
0.00 $
0.72
$
0.00 $
$ 53,686.30 $ 21,021.36 $ 138,739.28 $ 18,397.25 $ 396,265.96
Pct of
Total
Value
14%
13%
7%
7%
6%
5%
5%
3%
3%
3%
3%
3%
3%
3%
2%
2%
2%
2%
2%
2%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
100%
Figure 20 Outbound Domestic DFW Freight by Commodity by Value
Source: Center for Logistics Education and Research, University of North Texas, Analysis of Freight Flows,
Federal Highway Administration, Freight Analysis Framework Database Tool
North Texas and DFW Metroplex Freight Flows and Analysis
18
global destinations. Of the $396 billion in total outbound freight, over $60 billion is being
transported to international destinations.
Commodity
Nonmetal min. prods.
Coal-n.e.c.
Waste/scrap
Gravel
Gasoline
Fuel oils
Natural sands
Other foodstuffs
Base metals
Wood prods.
Mixed freight
Cereal grains
Motorized vehicles
Other ag prods.
Machinery
Articles-base metal
Plastics/rubber
Unknown
Chemical prods.
Basic chemicals
Newsprint/paper
Nonmetallic minerals
Meat/seafood
Misc. mfg. prods.
Alcoholic beverages
Fertilizers
Milled grain prods.
Paper articles
Electronics
Animal feed
Coal
Logs
Textiles/leather
Furniture
Building stone
Printed prods.
Pharmaceuticals
Live animals/fish
Transport equip.
Metallic ores
Precision instruments
Tobacco prods.
Crude petroleum
Total:
Domestic International
DFW Ktons DFW Ktons
34,977.1
7,372.3
15,759.4
17,254.9
15,575.0
8,957.3
11,250.5
4,746.7
4,560.0
3,483.0
3,636.0
1,689.2
2,810.5
2,590.1
2,954.5
1,696.4
769.0
4,337.3
1,314.6
820.0
670.0
950.8
1,010.3
1,586.9
1,792.8
1,140.9
680.2
1,051.5
439.4
982.3
21.8
802.5
477.3
481.7
871.4
212.4
233.0
68.8
96.7
7.8
29.8
42.2
0.1
160,204.2
2.1
0.5
1.7
3.2
0.3
4.4
0.0
2.0
1.1
59.2
12.0
6.5
5.0
3.8
0.0
1.0
1.2
3.1
2.1
0.0
0.1
1.3
62.5
0.2
6.3
2.1
1.8
1.2
1.3
1.5
0.1
8.8
0.2
196.6
Domestic
Domestic
International
International
Texas
Interstate
Ktons
Texas Ktons
Ktons
Ktons
3,175.8
1,011.4
3,181.2
627.3
3,240.8
847.9
26,582.4
331.7
8,051.4
3.1
629.2
5.5
3,094.9
0.1
3,955.0
0.1
7,892.0
53.5
525.2
9.6
7,053.9
687.9
407.4
8.5
271.2
4,174.7
0.6
1,578.3
323.3
4,742.4
125.0
1,454.1
669.7
2,285.9
542.4
1,568.4
72.9
3,012.5
625.9
1,319.4
74.6
1,718.0
22.1
1,299.8
5.6
3,698.9
32.3
764.9
334.4
1,764.3
183.8
1,092.7
523.2
932.7
141.2
414.9
347.9
1,024.9
432.5
695.7
429.8
1,265.0
461.9
745.7
260.1
2,185.2
534.0
66.0
47.1
486.7
158.3
2,071.3
73.2
706.5
745.2
1,565.1
265.8
234.3
20.6
2,697.4
95.5
761.1
645.9
919.1
137.3
749.8
8.8
1,545.5
47.1
348.6
21.8
998.4
337.9
359.4
255.8
738.8
38.9
400.2
26.5
1,069.4
9.7
479.1
65.0
1,377.9
36.0
456.5
44.9
872.8
83.9
185.5
379.6
755.8
363.7
216.8
2.1
941.3
10.3
0.4
9.7
1,864.2
0.0
787.3
0.4
239.0
0.8
83.9
60.8
635.3
352.8
78.5
100.5
423.0
476.8
71.9
78.1
78.2
114.7
98.7
17.1
603.4
30.4
74.6
1.0
179.2
1.8
103.0
43.8
166.9
25.6
86.2
6.0
99.7
6.3
116.4
6.1
19.1
92.3
40.3
27.6
40.9
17.4
2.7
0.2
8.3
0.0
0.0
0.0
50,708.2
8,371.2
82,042.1
6,702.6
Total
Pct of
Inbound Total
Ktons
Ktons
42,974.8
14%
38,375.6
12%
24,448.7
8%
24,304.9
8%
24,055.3
8%
17,115.1
6%
15,697.0
5%
11,517.4
4%
9,515.3
3%
8,762.8
3%
6,774.5
2%
6,725.8
2%
5,859.8
2%
5,281.0
2%
5,233.7
2%
4,560.8
1%
4,500.4
1%
4,450.5
1%
4,109.1
1%
4,106.3
1%
3,717.8
1%
3,415.0
1%
3,362.8
1%
3,296.6
1%
3,187.9
1%
2,646.7
1%
2,638.3
1%
2,510.9
1%
2,186.4
1%
2,153.0
1%
1,896.1
1%
1,830.0
1%
1,616.5
1%
1,562.7
1%
1,214.4
0%
963.8
0%
490.7
0%
409.4
0%
296.4
0%
241.8
0%
164.8
0%
53.7
0%
0.1
0%
308,224.9
100%
Figure 21 Inbound Domestic DFW Freight by Commodity by Tonnage
Source: Center for Logistics Education and Research, University of North Texas, Analysis of Freight Flows,
Federal Highway Administration, Freight Analysis Framework Database Tool
Inbound commodity flows by tonnage (Figure 21) also reflect considerable diversity.
The top commodities by weight differ from the top commodities by value. Construction
and raw materials are transported in large quantities, but the value per ton is
North Texas and DFW Metroplex Freight Flows and Analysis
19
considerably lower than finished goods such as electronics or precision instruments.
The commodities with the greatest inbound tonnage include: non-metallic mineral
products, coal, waste/scrap, gravel and gasoline.
Commodity
Nonmetal min. prods.
Coal-n.e.c.
Waste/scrap
Gasoline
Gravel
Crude petroleum
Natural sands
Fuel oils
Other foodstuffs
Base metals
Mixed freight
Wood prods.
Cereal grains
Machinery
Motorized vehicles
Plastics/rubber
Unknown
Chemical prods.
Misc. mfg. prods.
Basic chemicals
Alcoholic beverages
Other ag prods.
Articles-base metal
Electronics
Animal feed
Meat/seafood
Paper articles
Furniture
Milled grain prods.
Newsprint/paper
Fertilizers
Nonmetallic minerals
Textiles/leather
Building stone
Logs
Printed prods.
Pharmaceuticals
Transport equip.
Live animals/fish
Metallic ores
Precision instruments
Tobacco prods.
Coal
Total:
Domestic International
DFW Ktons DFW Ktons
34,977.1
7,372.3
15,759.4
15,575.0
17,254.9
0.1
11,250.5
8,957.3
4,746.7
4,560.0
3,636.0
3,483.0
1,689.2
2,954.5
2,810.5
769.0
4,337.3
1,314.6
1,586.9
820.0
1,792.8
2,590.1
1,696.4
439.4
982.3
1,010.3
1,051.5
481.7
680.2
670.0
1,140.9
950.8
477.3
871.4
802.5
212.4
233.0
96.7
68.8
7.8
29.8
42.2
21.8
160,204.2
2.1
0.5
1.7
3.2
4.4
0.3
0.0
59.2
2.0
6.5
5.0
3.1
3.8
2.1
1.1
12.0
62.5
0.2
1.2
1.3
2.1
0.1
0.0
0.0
1.0
6.3
1.8
1.2
1.5
1.3
0.1
8.8
0.2
196.6
Domestic
Domestic
Total
Pct of
International
International
Texas
Interstate
Outbound Total
Texas Ktons
Ktons
Ktons
Ktons
Ktons
Ktons
6,241.3
74.3
1,998.6
54.9
43,348.3
15%
2,937.0
3,787.1
28,447.6
613.8
43,158.2
15%
6,732.5
30.1
794.2
610.5
23,926.7
8%
1,045.9
4.1
2,145.9
18,770.9
7%
1,428.7
0.0
2.5
0.0
18,686.1
6%
4,316.4
11,529.6
15,846.1
6%
1,044.0
0.0
381.4
0.3
12,676.3
4%
1,502.5
59.4
688.5
11,207.6
4%
2,261.2
239.2
2,314.3
65.7
9,628.7
3%
1,890.5
617.6
1,742.9
130.3
8,944.4
3%
1,695.8
7.8
1,330.3
9.6
6,683.9
2%
1,132.3
86.7
613.7
20.5
5,336.4
2%
1,452.8
429.5
795.8
300.9
4,668.2
2%
187.8
498.7
785.8
165.5
4,651.3
2%
313.2
460.9
848.0
117.7
4,552.3
2%
619.0
1,112.3
1,374.5
566.9
4,448.2
2%
15.1
13.5
11.2
28.0
4,405.2
2%
1,019.1
423.3
1,294.8
163.8
4,220.5
1%
705.0
15.2
1,863.0
7.7
4,181.0
1%
400.4
1,591.8
616.9
657.2
4,090.2
1%
945.3
114.6
1,052.1
13.2
3,920.0
1%
151.6
255.7
453.9
362.8
3,815.1
1%
303.8
310.5
724.9
126.7
3,174.4
1%
220.1
1,023.9
858.8
87.8
2,692.4
1%
1,214.5
64.4
282.5
121.9
2,665.9
1%
699.9
96.4
579.8
6.4
2,394.0
1%
419.4
237.7
443.5
47.4
2,200.8
1%
543.1
33.6
1,039.1
37.5
2,137.1
1%
551.3
102.4
356.4
7.7
1,698.1
1%
226.5
200.1
485.3
69.5
1,651.4
1%
33.3
15.7
162.0
4.9
1,356.9
0%
104.0
81.6
4.6
65.6
1,207.5
0%
107.6
117.5
210.5
30.3
949.5
0%
13.3
0.6
25.0
0.1
910.4
0%
2.0
0.0
0.4
1.4
806.3
0%
154.8
20.5
321.5
6.0
716.9
0%
115.2
2.9
360.6
1.4
714.3
0%
29.9
37.3
150.2
4.1
319.8
0%
179.6
8.4
4.1
1.7
264.0
0%
12.4
141.9
1.1
75.0
238.3
0%
46.2
37.3
67.3
14.0
203.5
0%
3.2
0.5
6.2
0.0
52.4
0%
0.1
0.0
21.9
0%
43,017.4
12,355.0
67,169.2
4,599.3 287,541.6
100%
Figure 22 Outbound Domestic DFW Freight by Commodity by Tonnage
Source: Center for Logistics Education and Research, University of North Texas, Analysis of Freight Flows,
Federal Highway Administration, Freight Analysis Framework Database Tool
North Texas and DFW Metroplex Freight Flows and Analysis
20
Outbound commodity flows by tonnage (Figure 22) provide a similar indication of DFW’s
role as a logistics hub. Many inbound goods are processed in the region for redistribution. However, international tonnage represents only six percent of the outbound
total. A comparison with Figure 20 suggests the goods exported from the DFW region
are largely finished goods with high value to weight ratios.
Freight Flows by Mode
The metroplex has direct access to four of the five modes of transportation. Although
the region is not on a passable waterway, the user of intermodal rail provides fast and
affordable transportation from West Coast ports. Intermodal transportation has enabled
DFW to become the premier inland port in North America. DFW has shorter transit
times from Southeast Asia and China than can be obtained using an all-water route
through the Panama Canal to Texas seaports. The combination of modal access,
intermodal transport, a central geographic location, the six largest economy in the
United States growing at 4 to 5 percent per year, and a growing population ensure
freight volumes will continue to grow well into the future.
Motor Carriers
Trucking dominates the inbound and outbound movement goods for DFW both in value
and tonnage (Figures 23 – 26). Motor carriers move approximately 75 percent of the
DFW freight in tonnage and value. Three factors account for the results reported in the
following figures. First, the major inbound and outbound freight flows for DFW are in
Texas or adjacent states. These locations are often within a 500 to 700 mile radius
where trucking holds a competitive advantage in accessibility, time, and cost. Second,
DFW serves as a major distribution center of finished goods. Retailers and their
suppliers often rely on trucking as a means to keep inventory levels low while
simultaneously providing high service levels through frequent replenishment.
Rail, $8,127.61 ,
2%
Truck, $301,009.24
, 72%
Truck, 232,238.11 ,
75%
Rail, 16,441.26 , 5%
Air, $27,889.33 ,
7%
Multiple modes &
mail, $54,452.84 ,
13%
Other and
Pipeline,
unknown,
$16,641.48 , 4%
$6,960.52 , 2%
Value $M (2012)
Pipeline, 38,087.92 ,
12%
Other and unknown,
7,543.62 , 3%
Air, 234.66 , 0%
Multiple modes &
mail, 13,679.39 , 5%
KTons (2012)
Figure 23 Total Inbound Freight by Transportation Mode
Source: Center for Logistics Education and Research, University of North Texas, Analysis of Freight Flows,
Federal Highway Administration, Freight Analysis Framework Database Tool
North Texas and DFW Metroplex Freight Flows and Analysis
21
Third, Mexico represents a major import origin and export destination for North Texas.
The distance from the Mexican border, the movement of finished goods, and limited rail
accessibility all work in favor of trucking.
Inbound
Mode
Truck
Rail
Air
Multiple modes & mail
Pipeline
Other and unknown
Total
Intra-DFW
Freight
M$ (2012)
$ 155,545.40
$
54.03
$
$ 6,372.89
$
1.19
$ 2,448.25
$ 164,421.77
Intra-DFW
KTons
152,868.86
505.79
380.96
3.31
6,641.87
160,400.78
Texas
Inbound
M$ (2012)
$ 53,276.70
$ 1,574.18
$ 196.54
$ 3,303.75
$ 8,433.25
$ 678.96
$ 67,463.38
Texas
Inbound
Ktons
39,730.88
2,440.22
0.36
1,373.98
15,322.05
211.93
59,079.43
Interstate
Inbound
M$ (2012)
$ 92,187.14
$ 6,499.40
$ 27,692.79
$ 44,776.20
$ 8,207.03
$ 3,833.30
$ 183,195.86
Interstate
Inbound
Ktons
39,638.37
13,495.25
234.30
11,924.45
22,762.56
689.82
88,744.75
Total
Inbound
$M (2012)
$ 301,009.24
$ 8,127.61
$ 27,889.33
$ 54,452.84
$ 16,641.48
$ 6,960.52
$ 415,081.02
Percent
Total
Percent
of Total
Inbound of Total
Value
Ktons
Ktons
73% 232,238.11
75%
2% 16,441.26
5%
7%
234.66
0%
13% 13,679.39
4%
4% 38,087.92
12%
2%
7,543.62
2%
100% 308,224.96
100%
Figure 24 Inbound Freight by Mode, Origin, Value and Tonnage
Source: Center for Logistics Education and Research, University of North Texas, Analysis of Freight Flows,
Federal Highway Administration, Freight Analysis Framework Database Tool
Rail Carriers
Three Class 1 railroads (BNSF, Union Pacific, and the Kansas City Southern) provide
rail service to the region. Rail service is highly concentrated in the seven Class 1
railroads in North America, and the two largest, BNSF and Union Pacific, have major
intermodal and manifest freight operations in the metroplex. Over $60 billion (rail and
multiple modes) of DFW inbound and $66 billion of outbound freight is transported by
rail carriers. The railroads play an important role in transporting freight between DFW
and Southern California, the major port locations for trade with China and Southeast
Asia.
Rail, $3,654.45 ,
1%
Truck,
$288,212.62 , 73%
Multiple modes &
mail, $63,049.47 ,
16%
Truck, 221,279.34
, 77%
Rail, 5,453.17 , 2%
Air, $17,806.95 ,
4%
Pipeline,
47,162.77 , 16%
Air, 220.67 , 0%
Multiple modes &
mail, 5,597.33 ,
2%
Pipeline,
Other and
$18,554.01 , 5%
unknown,
$4,988.46 , 1%
Value $M (2012)
Other and
unknown,
7,828.33 , 3%
KTons (2012)
Figure 25 Total Outbound Freight by Transportation Mode
Source: Center for Logistics Education and Research, University of North Texas, Analysis of Freight Flows,
Federal Highway Administration, Freight Analysis Framework Database Tool
North Texas and DFW Metroplex Freight Flows and Analysis
22
Outbound
Mode
Truck
Rail
Air
Multiple modes & mail
Pipeline
Other and unknown
Total
Intra-DFW
Freight
M$ (2012)
$ 155,545.40
$
54.03
$
$ 6,372.89
$
1.19
$ 2,448.25
$ 164,421.77
Intra-DFW
KTons
152,868.86
505.79
380.96
3.31
6,641.87
160,400.78
Texas
Texas
Interstate
Outbound Outbound Outbound
M$ (2012)
Ktons
M$ (2012)
$ 57,205.59 41,931.02 $ 75,461.63
$ 2,373.51
3,251.27 $ 1,226.91
$ 285.01
2.35 $ 17,521.94
$ 11,041.39
2,048.71 $ 45,635.19
$ 3,157.58
7,820.27 $ 15,395.23
$ 644.58
318.78 $ 1,895.63
$ 74,707.66 55,372.40 $ 157,136.53
Interstate
Outbound
Ktons
26,479.45
1,696.12
218.32
3,167.66
39,339.19
867.68
71,768.42
Total
Outbound
$M (2012)
$ 288,212.62
$ 3,654.45
$ 17,806.95
$ 63,049.47
$ 18,554.01
$ 4,988.46
$ 396,265.96
Percent
Total
Percent
of Total Outbound of Total
Value
Ktons
Ktons
73% 221,279.34
77%
1%
5,453.17
2%
4%
220.67
0%
16%
5,597.33
2%
5% 47,162.77
16%
1%
7,828.33
3%
100% 287,541.60
100%
Figure 26 Outbound Freight by Mode, Origin, Value and Tonnage
Source: Center for Logistics Education and Research, University of North Texas, Analysis of Freight Flows,
Federal Highway Administration, Freight Analysis Framework Database Tool
Air Carriers
Although air carriers move less than one percent of the tonnage, they move over four
percent of the inbound and outbound freight value for North Texas. Air cargo and the
presence of several major airports with freight capability enable the North Texas region
to “plug and play” in the global trade of expensive, high end electronics, computers,
medical devices, and precision equipment. Over $72 billion in imports and exports
cleared customs at area airports with DFW accounting for almost all of this amount.
900,000.0
800,000.0
700,000.0
600,000.0
500,000.0
400,000.0
300,000.0
200,000.0
100,000.0
0.0
2005
2006
2007
Combination
2008
2009
All cargo
2010
2011
Integrated
2012
2013
2014
Oct YTD
Other
Figure 27 Total Air Cargo Volumes by Air Cargo Type
Source: Center for Logistics Education and Research, University of North Texas,
Data compiled from monthly DFW Airport air cargo statistics
During the past several years, air carriers calling at DFW airport have transported over
half a million tons each year. The effect of air cargo was previously demonstrated in
this report. Alaska ranks as the second highest state for inbound freight value (outside
North Texas and DFW Metroplex Freight Flows and Analysis
23
Texas); however, almost all of the $18 billion arriving from Alaska originated in China or
Southeast Asia.
Summary
Transportation and trade have shaped the development of the North Texas region since
the earliest settlers. Development of highway, rail, air, and pipeline infrastructure has
enabled North Texas to become the premier inland port in North America handling over
435 million tons of freight valued at $646.9 billion. The DFW metroplex now ranks as
the sixth largest metropolitan economy in the United States, larger than 39 states’
GDPs, and the 32nd largest in the world when compared to country and US metro area
GDPs. 8 The region is also a major global trading partner with over $72 billion passing
through the DFW customs district alone in 2013. Looking to the future, freight volumes
will continue to increase (Figures 28 and 29) as the local economy continues to expand
and the metroplex population grows at one of the fastest paces in the United States.
Inbound
Mode
Truck
Rail
Air
Multiple modes & mail
Pipeline
Other and unknown
Total
Total
Inbound
$M (2012)
$ 301,009.24
$ 8,127.61
$ 27,889.33
$ 54,452.84
$ 16,641.48
$ 6,960.52
$ 415,081.02
Total
Inbound
Ktons
232,238.11
16,441.26
234.66
13,679.39
38,087.92
7,543.62
308,224.96
Forecast
Percent
Forecast
Percent
Forecast
Percent
Forecast
Percent
Inbound
Increase
Inbound
Increase
Inbound
Increase
Inbound
Increase
$M (2015) 2012-2015 2015 Ktons 2012-2015 $M (2020) 2015-2020 2020 Ktons 2015-2020
$ 343,766.65
14% 235,421.71
1% $ 393,292.03
14% 261,203.84
11%
$ 8,624.44
6%
13,808.06
-16% $ 9,601.89
11% 14,774.72
7%
$ 38,048.31
36%
329.83
41% $ 47,821.95
26%
408.70
24%
$ 63,531.45
17%
11,765.76
-14% $ 77,556.03
22% 12,688.10
8%
$ 18,634.03
12%
42,687.81
12% $ 16,175.57
-13% 38,485.45
-10%
$ 7,587.03
9%
7,224.79
-4% $ 8,708.27
15%
8,552.75
18%
$ 480,191.90
16% 311,237.95
1% $ 553,155.74
15% 336,113.55
8%
Figure 28 Forecast for Inbound Freight—Value and Tonnage—2015 and 2020
Source: Center for Logistics Education and Research, University of North Texas, Analysis of Freight Flows,
Federal Highway Administration, Freight Analysis Framework Database Tool
Outbound
Mode
Truck
Rail
Air
Multiple modes & mail
Pipeline
Other and unknown
Total
Total
Outbound
$M (2012)
$ 301,009.24
$ 8,127.61
$ 27,889.33
$ 54,452.84
$ 16,641.48
$ 6,960.52
$ 415,081.02
Total
Outbound
Ktons
232,238.11
16,441.26
234.66
13,679.39
38,087.92
7,543.62
308,224.96
Forecast
Percent
Forecast
Percent
Forecast
Percent
Forecast
Percent
Outbound
Increase Outbound Increase
Outbound
Increase Outbound Increase
$M (2015) 2012-2015 2015 Ktons 2012-2015 $M (2020) 2015-2020 2020 Ktons 2015-2020
$ 297,302.60
-1% 255,434.58
10% $ 348,646.63
17% 294,015.12
15%
$ 3,337.05
-59%
5,295.54
-68% $ 4,185.56
25%
6,509.35
23%
$ 19,904.91
-29%
234.71
0% $ 26,676.80
34%
306.73
31%
$ 72,283.75
33%
6,135.12
-55% $ 91,138.90
26%
7,697.36
25%
$ 13,786.11
-17%
34,757.01
-9% $ 12,474.52
-10% 31,489.64
-9%
$ 5,635.85
-19%
9,591.70
27% $ 6,892.87
22% 12,110.14
26%
$ 412,250.28
-1% 311,448.66
1% $ 490,015.29
19% 352,128.34
13%
Figure 29 Forecast for Outbound Freight—Value and Tonnage—2015 and 2020
Source: Center for Logistics Education and Research, University of North Texas, Analysis of Freight Flows,
Federal Highway Administration, Freight Analysis Framework Database Tool
8
The United States Conference Mayors, US Metro Economies, Table 2 Gross Product of Countries GDP
and Metro Areas GMP, Table 3 GMP of US Metro Areas and Gross State Product of US States, June
2014.
North Texas and DFW Metroplex Freight Flows and Analysis
24