The 2012 Commodity Flow Survey: Lessons Learned from a Precanvass Survey of Establishments

• Activity Number: 28
• Type: Contributed
• Date/Time: Sunday, July 31, 2011 : 2:00 PM to 3:50 PM
• Sponsor: Section on Government Statistics
• Author(s): Li Leung*+
• Companies: U.S. Department of Transportation
• Keywords: Commodity Flow Survey ; Advance Survey ; Sample Frame ; Freight Transportation ; Establishment Survey

Abstract

In preparation for the 2012 Commodity Flow Survey (CFS), an advance survey of select establishments was conducted in early 2011. This advance survey, also known as a precanvass, was initiated to obtain updated contact information for selected businesses, verify their shipping status and shipping address, and capture more accurate and complete information on the value of shipped commodities. This information was an important initial step in the construction of the 2012 CFS sample frame, and helped to improve the efficiency of the sample design, as well as promote higher response rates for the actual survey. This paper describes the methodology and preliminary results of the 2012 CFS precanvass survey, including lessons learned from the previous precanvass conducted in advance of the 2007 CFS. In addition, notable improvements are described including the inclusion of an electronic reporting option, expanded establishment coverage, and collection of additional address information. The CFS is a survey of shipping establishments in the United States and is conducted as a joint partnership between the Bureau of Transportation Statistics and the Census Bureau.