Intermodal Traffic Drops for Week

U.S. intermodal rail traffic fell 10.1% in the week ended Saturday compared with the same week last year, the Association of American Railroads said.

Total intermodal volume declined to 207,401 units, from 230,774 last year, AAR said in its weekly report.

Containers fell 3.6% to 175,848 units, while trailer volume plunged 34.7% to 31,553 units.

Freight rail traffic, which excludes intermodal traffic fell 14.8% 276,357 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.