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.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, publisher (kzhw@aol.com), is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
Zino is at home on test tracks, knows his way around U.S. Congressional hearing rooms, auto company headquarters, plant floors, as well as industry research and development labs where the real mobility work is done. He can quote from court decisions, refer to instrumented road tests, analyze financial results, and profile executive personalities and corporate cultures.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
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:
VIUS collects data on physical and operational characteristics of selected vehicles.
Physical characteristics include:
Operational characteristics include:
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, publisher (kzhw@aol.com), is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. Zino is at home on test tracks, knows his way around U.S. Congressional hearing rooms, auto company headquarters, plant floors, as well as industry research and development labs where the real mobility work is done. He can quote from court decisions, refer to instrumented road tests, analyze financial results, and profile executive personalities and corporate cultures. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.