WASHINGTON — The months-long trend in U.S. rail traffic — with increased carload volume more than offset by lagging intermodal movements — continues in the latest statistics from the Association of American Railroads.
For the week ending Dec. 4, 2021, railroads originated 255,044 carloads, a 3.9% increase over the same week in 2020, but the 272,362 intermodal trailers and containers represented an 8.4% drop. As a result, overall traffic — 527,406 carloads and intermodal units — was down 2.8%.
Leading the rise in carload traffic were nonmetallic minerals, up 14.6%, and metal and metallic ores, up 13.2%. Ongoing auto production issues are refleced in a 10.3% decrease in motor vehicles and parts.
Year-to-date figures, through 48 weeks, are still ahead of 2020, with carloads up 6.9% and intermodal units up 6%, for a total increase of 6.4%. Average volume per week is at 506,656 carloads and intermodal units.
North American totals, for 12 reporting U.S., Canadian, and Mexican railroads, included 346,727 carloads, down 0.6% from the corresponding week in 2020; 344,311 intermodal units, down 10.8%;, and total traffic of 691,038 carloads and intermodal units, down 6%. Year-to-date traffic for North America is up 5.3%.
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