Intermodal Volume Rises for Quarter, Year

Intermodal traffic volume rose 4.1% in the fourth quarter, the eighth straight quarter of year-over-year gains, the Intermodal Association of North America said.

Domestic container volume climbed 12.1% to 1.31 million units, while trailer volume slipped 3% to about 430,000 units, IANA said in a statement.

International container volume edged up 0.7% in the quarter to 1.86 million units, IANA said.

For full 2011, intermodal traffic rose 4.9%, the second straight increase. Domestic container volume for the year rose 9.6% to 4.93 million units, while trailer volume increased 1.7% to 1.69 million units, IANA 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.