Intermodal Traffic Rises 10.7% for Week

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Tom Biery/Trans Pixs

Intermodal traffic increased 10.7% last week from a year ago, the Association of American Railroads said.

Traffic increased to 222,788 units for the week ended Saturday, AAR said in its weekly report. Trailers rose 9.1% to 34,326 units, while containers gained 11% to 188,462 units.

Railroad carloads excluding intermodal showed a 2.3% gain to 293,772 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.