Intermodal, Rail Traffic Decline for Week

Intermodal rail traffic fell 24.6% for the week ended Saturday, compared with the same week last year, the Association of American Railroads said Thursday.

Intermodal volume fell to 37,544 units from 49,773. Trailer volume fell 22.1%, while containers fell 24.7%.

Overall freight rail traffic fell 28.3% for the week, to 58,493 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.