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Intermodal Traffic Sees Slight Gain
Intermodal rail traffic in the United States increased 0.2% last week from the same week a year ago, the Association of American Railroads said in its weekly report.
Total intermodal volume climbed to 201,239 units, from 200,876 last year. Containers increased 6.5% to 169,415 units, while trailer volume dropped 23.9% to 31,824 units.
Freight rail traffic, which excludes intermodal traffic fell 6.7% compared with last year to 284,715 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.