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April 30, 2010 8:30 AM, EDT

Intermodal rail traffic rose 15.1% last week from the same week a year ago, the Association of American Railroads said Thursday.

Total intermodal volume grew to 212,347 units, from 184,509 last year, AAR said in its weekly report.

Containers jumped 17.3% to 180,496 units, while trailers gained 4.2% to 31,851 units for the week ended Saturday.

Freight rail traffic, which excludes intermodal traffic, rose 14.6% to 298,218 carloads, marking the highest weekly level since December 2008, 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.