WASHINGTON — U.S. rail traffic was even with 2023 levels for the week ending May 4, according to the Association of American Railroads, ending a streak of 14 straight weeks showing gains over previous-year levels.
Traffic for the week was 463,106 carloads and intermodal units. That included 213,410 carloads, down 5.1% from the corresponding week in 2023, and 249,696 containers and trailers, up 4.9%.
Through 18 weeks, 2024 volume is up 2.1% over 2023. That includes a 4.8% drop in carload traffic and 8.7% gain in intermodal volume.
North American volume for the week, from 10 reporting U.S., Canadian, and Mexican railroads, included 324,302 carloads, down 0.9% from the corresponding week in 2023, and 337,489 intermodal units, up 5.3%. The overall total of 661,791 carloads and intermodal units represented a 2.2% increase. North America’s year-to-date traffic is up 2.1% compared to 2023. That includes a 0.6% year-to-date increase in Canadian traffic and a 10.5% increase in Mexico.
