Reference metadata describe statistical concepts and methodologies used for the collection and generation of data. They provide information on data quality and, since they are strongly content-oriented, assist users in interpreting the data. Reference metadata, unlike structural metadata, can be decoupled from the data.
Road freight data collection consists of three datasets with quarterly periodicity:
Vehicle related variables contain, among others, information about the type and age of the vehicle, the economic activity of the owner of the vehicle, the total kilometres loaded or empty.
Journey related variables which contain, information about weight of goods, regions of loading and unloading, distance driven, and tonne-kilometres performed during a journey.
Goods related variables which contain the type of goods transported and their weight and distance travelled, regions of loading and unloading.
3.2. Classification system
Statistics on carriage of goods by road use the following statistical classifications:
The type of goods transported by road was collected, until reference year 2007 (included), according to the 20 groups of goods following the Commission Regulation (EC) No 1304/2007.
The optional variable type of cargo follows the Classification of Cargo Types of UNECE (United Nations, Economic Commission for Europe - codes for types of cargo, packages and packaging materials, Recommendation 21 adopted by the Working Party on Facilitation of International Trade Procedures, Geneva, March 1986).
3.3. Coverage - sector
Statistics produced on the basis of Regulation (EU) No 70/2012 cover the following road freight transport operations by heavy goods vehicles registered in the reporting countries:
Commercial road freight transport (NACE Rev.1.1 I6024; NACE Rev.2 H494), referred to as "Hire or reward" road freight transport.
Road freight transport by private vehicles and by vehicles owned by companies classified in other classes than professional road freight transport. This kind of transport is identified as "Own account" road freight and it covers transport operations by manufacturing industry, construction, trade and other companies.
Data are based on sample surveys in the reporting countries.
3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
The main concepts used in Road freight statistics are the following, (more details can be found in the Road freight transport methodology) :
A goods road motor vehicle is any single road transport vehicle (lorry), or combination of road vehicles, namely road train (lorry with trailer) or articulated vehicle (road tractor with semi-trailer), designed to carry goods
Cross-trade is international road transport between two different countries performed by a road motor vehicle registered in a third country.
National transport is Road transport between two places (a place of loading and a place of unloading) located in the same country by a vehicle registered in that country.
International transport is Road transport between two places (a place of loading and a place of unloading) in two different countries and cabotage by road. It may involve transit through one or more additional country or countries.
Transit is any loaded or empty road motor vehicle, which enters and leaves a country at different points by whatever means of transport, provided the total journey within the country is by road and that there is no loading or unloading in the country.
Goods carried by road are any goods moved by goods vehicles.
Place of loading/unloading of a goods road vehicle on another mode of transport:
Place of loading (of the goods road transport vehicle on another mode of transport): The place of loading is the first place where the goods road motor vehicle was loaded on to another mode of transport (usually a ship or a rail wagon).
Place of unloading (of the goods road transport vehicle from another mode of transport): The place of unloading is the last place where the goods road motor vehicle was unloaded from another mode of transport (usually a ship or a rail wagon).
3.5. Statistical unit
The reporting unit for road freight transport statistics is the goods road transport vehicle.
3.6. Statistical population
A sample survey is carried out to collect information. The population consists of goods vehicles registered in Cyprus.
3.7. Reference area
Government controlled areas of the Republic of Cyprus.
The data provided are goods vehicles registered in Cyprus.
3.8. Coverage - Time
The first reference year of reporting the regular road freight data for Cyprus is 2002.
3.9. Base period
Not applicable.
Data are calculated in tonnes, tonne-kilometres, vehicle-kilometres and in number of journeys (journey data) or in number of basic transport operations (BTO (goods related data)).
The road data are collected on a quarterly basis and are reported to Eurostat five months after the end of the reference period.
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
National level:
Article 3 of the national Official Statistics Law, No. 25(I) of 2021 defines the functions of the Statistical Service of Cyprus regarding the production and dissemination of official statistics. Moreover, Article 13, explicitly stipulates the mandate for data collection and introduces a mandatory response to statistical enquiries by stipulating the obligation of respondents to reply to surveys and provide the data required. This relates not only to national but also to European statistics which, are incorporated in the annual and multiannual programmes of work without any further procedure.
Eurostat submits annually semi-aggregated data (data exchange tables, see Commission Regulation (EU) No 202/2010 amending the Commission Regulation (EC) 6/2003) back to the reporting countries so that they can compile the total road freight transport on their national territories, including the operations by national hauliers and also those of all other reporting countries.
These data exchange tables include more detailed breakdowns than the publicly available tables. They also include, for each value, the information on the number of observations that the estimates are based on. In this way, the reporting countries can estimate the reliability of results that they aggregate from the data exchange tables.
7.1. Confidentiality - policy
National level:
Official statistics are released in accordance to all confidentiality provisions of the following:
Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 2009 on European statistics and its lateramendments (especially Chapter 5 on statistical confidentiality).
European Statistics Code of Practice (especially Principle 5 on statistical confidentiality).
CYSTAT's Code of Practice for the Collection, Publication and Storage of Statistical Data.
Code of Practice for the Collection, Publication and Storage of Statistical Data: Quality Policy.
European level:
Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 on European statistics (recital 24 and Article 20(4)) of 11 March 2009 (OJ L 87, p. 164), stipulates the need to establish common principles and guidelines ensuring the confidentiality of data used for the production of European statistics and the access to those confidential data with due account for technical developments and the requirements of users in a democratic society.
7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
The treatment of confidential data is regulated by CYSTAT's Code of Practice for the Collection, Publication and Storage of Statistical Data.
Code of Practice for the Collection, Publication and Storage of Statistical Data: Quality Policy-EN.
8.1. Release calendar
Notifications about the dissemination of statistics are published in the release calendar, which is available on CYSTAT’s website. The annual release calendar, announced during the 4th quarter of the each year, includes provisional dates which are finalised the week before publication.
According to the Dissemination and Pricing Policy of the Statistical Service of Cyprus (section 2.3), CYSTAT΄s main channel for dissemination of statistics is the website, which offers the same access conditions to everyone and is being updated at the same time every working day (12:00 noon). Privileged pre-released access (of no more than 1 day in advance) has been granted to a few selected users for specific statistics. These are specified in the Dissemination Policy (section 2.3).
In addition to the annual release calendar, users are informed of the various statistical releases through the “Alert” service provided by CYSTAT.
Quarterly data are updated quarterly, generally 5 months after the end of the reference period. The exact date for updates depends on the availability of data.
10.1. Dissemination format - News release
There is no news release on road freight transport.
Micro-data from CYSTAT’s surveys are accessible for research purposes only and under strict provisions as described below:
Under the provisions of the Official Statistics Law, CYSTAT may release microdata for the sole use of scientific research. Applicants have to submit the request form "APPLICATION FOR DATA FOR RESEARCH PURPOSES" giving thorough information on the project for which micro-data are needed.
The application is evaluated by CYSTAT’s Confidentiality Committee and if the application is approved, a charge is fixed according to the volume and time spent for preparation of the data. Micro-data may then be released after an anonymisation process which ensures no direct identification of the statistical units but, at the same time, ensures usability of the data. The link for the application is attached below.
The Data Monitoring folder of the Road library of CIRCA Transport Forum includes frequently updated information on data availability and country specific notes. The Methodology section of the same forum includes, among other things, information on Precision calculation results.
11.1. Quality assurance
The quality of statistics in CYSTAT is managed in the framework of the European Statistics Code of Practice which sets the standards for developing, producing and disseminating European Statistics as well as the ESS Quality Assurance Framework (QAF). CYSTAT endorses the Quality Declaration of the European Statistical System. In addition, CYSTAT is guided by the quality criteria set in Article 11 of the Official_Statistics_Law(unoftrans)-2021-EN-290421.pdf as well as Article 12 of Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 on European statistics, which sets out the quality criteria to be applied in the development, production and dissemination of European statistics.
Quality in data collection is ensured by appropriate training of the enumerators.
The three main tools for the assessment of the quality of the aggregated road freight data are:
Methodological comparisons with the national surveys and the recommended methodology, including coverage of surveys, simplifying assumptions, register quality, sampling rate and response rate.
The aim is to keep the users of the data informed on all these aspects by means of the methodological manuals, country specific notes and the results of the precision calculations.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
The main user of the road freight statistics is the European Commission.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
Since 2008 (with the exception of 2010 and 2013) CYSTAT carries out an annual online“Users Satisfaction Survey”.The results of the surveys are available on CYSTAT’s website at the link attached below.
Overall, the users of statistical data published by CYSTAT are satisfied.
Small goods vehicles (with loading capacity below 3 tonnes) are excluded.
13.1. Accuracy - overall
Same as 13.3.
13.2. Sampling error
2017: tonnes 6,75, tonnekm 7,96, km loaded 6,27.
2018: tonnes 7,20, tonnekm 6,37, km loaded 5,98.
2019:tonnes 6,19, tonnekm 6,48, km loaded 6,00.
2020: n.a.
2021: tonnes 7,36, tonnekm 6,25, km loaded 5,80
2022: tonnes 7,14, tonnekm 5,87, km loaded 5,35
2023: tonnes 6,68, tonnekm 5,03, km loaded 4,62
n.a.: not available
13.3. Non-sampling error
Underreporting can be an issue especially on the number of journeys.
14.1. Timeliness
Data are normally updated once per quarter.
If new annual data (all four quarters of a calendar year) have become available, the annual datasets are also updated together with the quarterly datasets.
14.2. Punctuality
Road freight data are transmitted to Eurostat within 5 months after the end of the reference period, as specified in the Regulation (EU) 70//2012.
15.1. Comparability - geographical
No problems are noted.
15.2. Comparability - over time
There are no breaks in the series.
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
There are no relevant domains for cross-checks.
15.4. Coherence - internal
Statistics are consistent within the data set. There are validation checks to ensure consistency.
We have no estimates on production costs. Time to complete a questionnaire varies from 10 minutes to 30 minutes according to the number of different journeys.
17.1. Data revision - policy
A data revision policy is in place at CYSTAT. It is published on CYSTAT’s website, at the following website: Revision Policy
CYSTAT also publishes a list of scheduled revisions (regular or major revisions), also published on its website, at the following website: Release Calendar
If there are more details available regarding scheduled revisions concerning the specific domain, they should be added here (e.g. for National Accounts scheduled revisions). However, all details available should already be included in the list of scheduled revisions.
17.2. Data revision - practice
Revisions can only happen if errors are found in the data.
18.1. Source data
Sampling register used for the survey
Name of register: Road Vehicle Register.
Name of organisation who maintains the register: Road Transport Department.
Frequency of update: Yearly.
Frequency of access to draw the samples: Quarterly.
Arrangements for accessing the register: Very good co-operation of the Statistical service with the Road Transport Department (Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works).
Information obtained from the register: Category of vehicle (Hire or Reward and Own account), gross vehicle weight and load capacity of the vehicle.
Procedure for reminders: The major part of the survey is conducted by telephone. The response rate is considered as adequate and reaches 95 % of the sample.
18.2. Frequency of data collection
The survey is continuous. Each week the interviewers ask data of the previous week.
18.3. Data collection
Sampling methodology
Statistical unit: Tractive vehicle.
Types of units excluded: Vehicles with load capacity less than 3 tonnes.
Time unit: 1 week.
Time units of quarter 1 of 2024 included in the survey: All (13 weeks).
Stratification: A total of 3.369 vehicles (Lorries and Road Tractors) are surveyed. The sample is distributed in all weeks (approx. 65 vehicles per week). The sample consists of 9 categories (strata according to the load capacity of the vehicle and the type of transport (Hire or reward and own account).
Recording of weight of goods: Gross-gross weght of goods is collected, i.e. containers swap bodies and pallets are included.
Recording of journey data sent to Eurostat:
Single stop: Only the commodity with the highest weight is taken into account.
Multi stop: For the calculation of tonnes-kilometres the sum of weigh received plus the weight delivered multiplied by the distance covered is divided by 1500.
Collection/delivery: For the calculation of tonnes-kilometres the sum of weigh received plus the weight delivered multiplied by the distance covered is divided by 2000.
Calculation of weighting factors:
Weighting factor = 13*N/Q,
N = number of vehicles in the register (in a stratum),
Q = number of questionnaires completed.
Optional variables covered:
A1. Vehicle-related variables:
possibility of using vehicles for combined transport (NO),
vehicle operator’s NACE Rev. 2 at class level (four-digit level) (YES),
vehicle empty kilometres (YES).
A2. Journey-related variables:
axle configuration according to the nomenclature defined in the Regulation on road transport statistics (YES),
place of loading, if any, of the road transport vehicle on another means of transport (NO),
place of unloading, if any, of the road transport vehicle from another means of transport (NO),
degree of loading: situation ‘fully loaded’ (procedure 2) or ‘not fully loaded’ (procedure 1) of the goods road transport vehicle during the journey in question, in terms of maximum volume of space used during the journey (procedure 0 = by convention for unladen journeys) (YES).
A3. Goods-related variables:
Type of freight (Cargo types) as defined in the Regulation (YES).
Additional variables collected compared to the legal requirements:
Envirenmental impact-related variables:
Cyprus
Main figures
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022 *
2023
2024
Total number of relevant goods vehicles in the country
12.466
12.522
12.838
13.115
13.671
14.208
14.602
14.926
15.321
16.021
Number of vehicles selected for initial sample and questionnaires dispatched to vehicle owners
1.612
1.612
1.612
1.612
1.612
1.612
2.938
3.372
3.372
3.369
Number of cases where no vehicle activity was recorded during the sampled period but the vehicle could be considered as part of the active stock
682
598
540
597
575
718
1.068
1.164
1.261
1.092
Number of cases classified as non-respondents
105
108
94
55
38
35
388
471
424
588
Number of cases where sample register information was wrong and response could not be used
93
94
76
37
20
18
349
398
344
434
Number of questionnaires used in analysis
732
812
902
923
979
841
1.133
1.339
1.343
1.255
* Revised figures for 2022.
18.4. Data validation
National level :
Data validation and error correction is done both manually and automatically during collection, coding and data entry stages.
From Eurostat :
Since 1999, micro-data from the reporting countries have to be submitted according to Commission Regulation 2163/2001. The data are then checked and validated by EUROSTAT (verification of many different codes used (NUTS 3, numeric or alphabetic variables) correctness of linked questionnaires in the different dataset, etc ). Detected errors are then reported back to the data sender with the request for correction, this is an iterative process until at least 99.5% of all data records are validated and loaded in the database.
18.5. Data compilation
Data validation and error correction is done both manually and automatically during collection, coding and data entry stages.
18.6. Adjustment
Road freight data are not seasonally adjusted.
No comment.
Road freight data collection consists of three datasets with quarterly periodicity:
Vehicle related variables contain, among others, information about the type and age of the vehicle, the economic activity of the owner of the vehicle, the total kilometres loaded or empty.
Journey related variables which contain, information about weight of goods, regions of loading and unloading, distance driven, and tonne-kilometres performed during a journey.
Goods related variables which contain the type of goods transported and their weight and distance travelled, regions of loading and unloading.
23 July 2025
The main concepts used in Road freight statistics are the following, (more details can be found in the Road freight transport methodology) :
A goods road motor vehicle is any single road transport vehicle (lorry), or combination of road vehicles, namely road train (lorry with trailer) or articulated vehicle (road tractor with semi-trailer), designed to carry goods
Cross-trade is international road transport between two different countries performed by a road motor vehicle registered in a third country.
National transport is Road transport between two places (a place of loading and a place of unloading) located in the same country by a vehicle registered in that country.
International transport is Road transport between two places (a place of loading and a place of unloading) in two different countries and cabotage by road. It may involve transit through one or more additional country or countries.
Transit is any loaded or empty road motor vehicle, which enters and leaves a country at different points by whatever means of transport, provided the total journey within the country is by road and that there is no loading or unloading in the country.
Goods carried by road are any goods moved by goods vehicles.
Place of loading/unloading of a goods road vehicle on another mode of transport:
Place of loading (of the goods road transport vehicle on another mode of transport): The place of loading is the first place where the goods road motor vehicle was loaded on to another mode of transport (usually a ship or a rail wagon).
Place of unloading (of the goods road transport vehicle from another mode of transport): The place of unloading is the last place where the goods road motor vehicle was unloaded from another mode of transport (usually a ship or a rail wagon).
The reporting unit for road freight transport statistics is the goods road transport vehicle.
A sample survey is carried out to collect information. The population consists of goods vehicles registered in Cyprus.
Government controlled areas of the Republic of Cyprus.
The data provided are goods vehicles registered in Cyprus.
The road data are collected on a quarterly basis and are reported to Eurostat five months after the end of the reference period.
Same as 13.3.
Data are calculated in tonnes, tonne-kilometres, vehicle-kilometres and in number of journeys (journey data) or in number of basic transport operations (BTO (goods related data)).
Data validation and error correction is done both manually and automatically during collection, coding and data entry stages.
Sampling register used for the survey
Name of register: Road Vehicle Register.
Name of organisation who maintains the register: Road Transport Department.
Frequency of update: Yearly.
Frequency of access to draw the samples: Quarterly.
Arrangements for accessing the register: Very good co-operation of the Statistical service with the Road Transport Department (Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works).
Information obtained from the register: Category of vehicle (Hire or Reward and Own account), gross vehicle weight and load capacity of the vehicle.
Procedure for reminders: The major part of the survey is conducted by telephone. The response rate is considered as adequate and reaches 95 % of the sample.
The tables consist of annual and quarterly data.
Quarterly data are updated quarterly, generally 5 months after the end of the reference period. The exact date for updates depends on the availability of data.
Data are normally updated once per quarter.
If new annual data (all four quarters of a calendar year) have become available, the annual datasets are also updated together with the quarterly datasets.
