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Rail, Intermodal Traffic Gain for Week
Rail and intermodal traffic improved last week compared with a year ago, the Association of American Railroads said Thursday.
Intermodal traffic rose by 0.8%, led by a 7.3% jump in trailer traffic, to 43,402 units. Container traffic dipped 0.9% to 150,734 units.
Overall rail traffic gained 1.1% for the week ended Saturday, to 286,242 carloads, the group said. Both comparative weeks included the July 4 holiday.
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.