Intermodal Traffic Rises 6.2% for Week
Intermodal traffic increased 6.2% last week compared with a year ago, the Association of American Railroads reported.
Traffic totaled 213,206 units, led by a 6.8% gain in containers to 180,888 units. Trailers rose 2.8% to 32,318 units.
U.S. railroads originated 282,837 carloads for the week ended Saturday, up 1.5%, 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.
