Census Bureau Seeks OMB Approval for 2027 Commodity Flow Survey Essential for National Transportation Planning

The U.S. Census Bureau, in collaboration with the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, has formally submitted an information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget. This request seeks approval to conduct the 2027 Commodity Flow Survey (CFS), a vital component of the broader 2027 Economic Census. The submission, published in the Federal Register on October 30, 2026, initiates a final 30-day public comment period, following an earlier 60-day review phase, underscoring the federal government's ongoing effort to gather essential economic and transportation data.

The Imperative for Comprehensive Freight Data

At its core, the 2027 Commodity Flow Survey aims to be the sole comprehensive source of multi-modal, system-wide data concerning the movement of goods within the United States. This includes detailed statistics on the value, weight, transportation mode, and distance of commodities shipped by establishments in mining, manufacturing, wholesale, and selected retail and services sectors, alongside their auxiliary support operations. Such data is fundamental for understanding the complex dynamics of the nation's supply chains and the efficiency of its transportation networks. It also tracks specific categories like export, hazardous material, and temperature-controlled shipments, providing granular detail crucial for specialized policy and planning.

The Bureau of Transportation Statistics is congressionally mandated under Title 49 to collect economic transportation data. This mandate highlights the critical nature of the CFS, as it informs analyses of freight flows that are central to assessing the use, performance, and overall condition of the national transportation system. Without this benchmark data, policymakers and planners would lack the factual basis needed to make sound transportation policy and investment decisions. The information is equally vital for evaluating regional and local economic development trends, addressing safety concerns, and mitigating environmental impacts related to freight movement.

Survey Design and Scope

The 2027 CFS is structured into two distinct but related surveys: a pre-screener survey and the main survey. The pre-screener survey will electronically reach approximately 45,000 business establishments within selected retail and auxiliary industries. Its primary function is to identify establishments that engage in shipping goods. Businesses reporting no shipments will be removed from the subsequent, more intensive main survey. Each pre-screener response is estimated to take just five minutes, minimizing initial respondent burden.

Following the pre-screener, the main survey will target an estimated 140,000 business establishments, encompassing mining, manufacturing, wholesale, and selected retail and services industries, as well as their auxiliary support entities. These respondents will be required to participate quarterly over a year, with each response averaging 1.5 hours. The total estimated burden for this collection is 843,750 hours. Response to the CFS is mandatory, backed by legal authority under Title 13, U.S.C., Sections 8(b), 131, and 193 for the Census Bureau, and 49 U.S.C., Section 6302 for BTS, with Sections 224 and 225 of Title 13 mandating compliance.

Impact on Policy and the Private Sector

The data collected through the CFS plays an indispensable role for governmental bodies at all levels. Federal, state, and local agencies rely on these statistics to make informed transportation investment decisions, ensuring the development and maintenance of an efficient transportation infrastructure. This infrastructure is essential for supporting sustained economic growth and national competitiveness. The periodic benchmarks provided by the CFS are particularly important for transportation planners who must evaluate and respond to continuous geographic shifts in production and distribution centers. This includes adapting to modern logistics strategies such as “just in time delivery,” which require precise, up-to-date information on freight movement.

The private sector also heavily leverages CFS data. Businesses require this information for critical decision-making processes, including analyzing market trends, conducting segmentation studies, and optimizing their supply chain operations. In an environment shaped by shifting markets, evolving demographics, safety concerns, environmental mandates, and national defense requirements, access to timely and accurate freight data is paramount for ensuring resilient and efficient commercial operations.

Opportunity for Public Input

The current Federal Register notice serves as a final call for public engagement. Interested parties, including businesses, academics, and the general public, have until approximately the end of November 2026 to submit written comments and recommendations regarding the proposed information collection. This feedback period is a crucial mechanism under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, allowing stakeholders to influence the final design and implementation of the survey. Comments can be submitted online through the reginfo.gov website, referencing OMB Control Number 0607-0932.

The 2027 Commodity Flow Survey represents a significant federal undertaking to provide foundational data for both public policy and private enterprise. Its continued collection ensures that the complex and dynamic landscape of U.S. freight transportation can be understood, managed, and improved upon, fostering economic stability and growth.