Intermodal Traffic Gains 13.8% for Week

Intermodal traffic rose 13.8% last week from a year ago, the Association of American Railroads said.

Traffic for the week ended Saturday totaled 235,835 trailers and containers, led by a 15.3% gain in containers to 197,526 units. Trailers rose 6.5% to 38,309 units.

U.S. railroads originated 303,570 carloads for the week following Thanksgiving — up 6.8% from a year ago, 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.