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Intermodal rail traffic in the United States fell 16.5% last week from the same week a year ago, the Association of American Railroads said in its weekly report.

Total intermodal volume dropped to 205,627 units, from 246,280 last year. Containers fell 11% to 173,272 units, while trailer volume plunged 37.2% to 32,355 units.

Freight rail traffic, which excludes intermodal traffic, fell 17.1% compared with last year to 271,659 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.