Tom Biery/Trans PixsU.S. intermodal traffic rose 2.4% last week from a year ago, led by an increase in container traffic, the Association of American Railroads said.
Container traffic rose 2.7% to 207,450 units, while trailer traffic edged up 0.7% to 34,549 units.
Railroad carloads excluding intermodal rose 2.1%, to 302,500 units, AAR said in its weekly report.
Railroad volume is considered an important economic indicator. Intermodal traffic, which tends to be higher-valued merchandise than bulk commodities, uses trains for the long haul and trucks for the shorter distance at either end of the trip.
