Intermodal Traffic Improves for Week
U.S. intermodal rail traffic grew 15.1% in the week ended Saturday compared with the same week last year, the Association of American Railroads said.
Total intermodal volume grew to 203,626 units in the week ended Saturday, from 176,243 last year, AAR said in its weekly report released Thursday.
Containers jumped 19.4% to 172,272 units, while trailers fell 3.8% to 31,354 units.
Freight rail traffic, which excludes intermodal traffic, gained 3.2% to 287,837 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.
