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Intermodal rail traffic in the United States fell 17.9% last week compared with the same week last year, the Association of American Railroads said.

Total intermodal volume fell to 193,332 units, from 235,397. Container volume fell 12.1% to 162,799 units, while trailer volume plunged 39.1% to 30,533 units, the group said.

Freight rail traffic, which excludes intermodal traffic, fell 17.4% for the week, to 273,943 carloads, AAR said in its weekly report Thursday.

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.