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Rail and intermodal traffic fell for the week ended Jan. 24 from a year ago, the Association of American Railroads said.

Intermodal traffic fell 7.1%, led by 23.9% drop in trailers to 35,351 from 46,456 a year ago. Container traffic fell 2.3% to 195,182 units from 210,123.

Overall rail traffic fell 14.6% to 267,634 carloads from 313,286, 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.