Intermodal Traffic Improves for Week
U.S. intermodal rail traffic grew 5.1% last week compared with the same week last year, the Association of American Railroads said.
Total intermodal volume rose to 201,188 units, from 191,511 last year, AAR said in its weekly report.
Containers rose 8.3% to 170,514 units, while trailers fell 10.1% to 30,674 units.
Freight rail traffic, which excludes intermodal traffic, grew 1.4% to 268,033 carloads, AAR said.
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.
