Intermodal Traffic Declines for Week
U.S. intermodal rail traffic fell 12.6% in the week ended Saturday compared with the same week last year, the Association of American Railroads said.
Total intermodal volume declined to 206,139 units, from 235,750 last year, AAR said in its weekly report.
Containers fell 6.7% to 174,694 units, while trailer volume plunged 35.2% to 31,445 units.
Freight rail traffic, which excludes intermodal traffic fell 15.4% 275,545 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.
