Intermodal, Rail Traffic Continue to Fall

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Intermodal rail traffic fell 19.1% last week compared with the same week last year, the Association of American Railroads said.

Total intermodal volume fell to 188,885 units, from 233,549. Container volume fell 14.2%, while trailer volume plunged 37.2%, the group said.

Overall freight rail traffic fell 21.5% for the week, to 259,264 carloads, 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.