Census Bureau Releases Data on US Fleet after 18 Year Gap

The US Census Bureau today released data on the nation’s inventory and use of selected vehicles. The Vehicle Inventory and Use Survey (VIUS) is a collaboration with the Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics and Federal Highway Administration, the Department of Energy; and the Census. For automakers it contains a wealth of data about miles driven, fuel economy and actual use patterns, which are key to product development, marketing, corporate forecasting, among other things.

This is the first release of the physical and operational characteristics of the nation’s vehicle population since 2004. The survey was first conducted in 1963 and then every five years from 1967 to 2002. Prior to 1997, VIUS was known as the Truck Inventory and Use Survey (TIUS). It was renamed as the survey expanded to include more types of vehicles. The survey was revived with data collection in 2022.

Data include selected private and commercial vehicles registered (or licensed) in the 49 states (New Hampshire did not participate?) and the District of Columbia covering pickups, minivans, other light vans and sport utility vehicles, light single-unit vehicles (gross vehicle weight of less than 26,000 lbs.), heavy single-unit vehicles (GVW more than 26,000 lbs.), and semi-trucks.

The VIUS sample excludes vehicles owned by federal, state and local governments; ambulances; buses; motor homes; farm tractors; un-powered trailer units; and vehicles reported to have been disposed of prior to January 1 of the survey year.

Data uses include:

• Freight movement analysis.
• Energy efficiency of vehicle fleets.
• Emissions studies.
• Vehicle size and weight studies.
• Highway cost allocations.
• Tracking the deployment of driver-assistance technology.
• Data for transportation and air quality models.
• Role of motor vehicles in the economy.
• Analyses of fees and allocation of cost among highway users.
• Highway traveler exposure to potential safety risks.

VIUS collects data on physical and operational characteristics of selected vehicles.

Physical characteristics include:

• Date of purchase.
• Number of axles.
• Overall length.
• Type of transmission.
• Body type.

Operational characteristics include:

• Type of use.
• Lease characteristics.
• Operator classification.
• Base of operation.
• Gas mileage.
• Annual and lifetime miles driven.
• Products hauled by type.
• Hazardous materials carried.