[Stay on top of transportation news: .]
Intermodal, Rail Traffic Drop for Week
Intermodal rail traffic in the United States fell 18.4% last week compared with the same week last year, the Association of American Railroads said.
Total intermodal volume fell to 193,488 units, from 237,034. Container volume fell 13.1% to 163,306 units, while trailer volume plunged 38.6% to 30,182 units, the group said.
Freight rail traffic, which excludes intermodal traffic, fell 17.1% for the week, to 276,488 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.