Intermodal traffic rose 4.3% last week from a year ago, the Association of American Railroads reported.Ìý
The gain was led by a 4.8% increase in container traffic to 203,868 units. Trailer traffic rose 1.3%, to 33,814 units.
Railroad carloads excluding intermodal edged up 3.3% for the week ended Saturday, to 294,310 units, AAR said in its weekly report.
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.