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Rail and intermodal traffic fell for the week ended Jan. 17 from a year ago, the Association of American Railroads said.

Intermodal traffic fell 13.7%, led by 27% drop in trailers to 35,330 from 48,401 a year ago. Container traffic fell 10.2% to 199,117 units from 230,771.

Overall rail traffic fell 17.9% to 267,063 carloads from 325,367, 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.