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Intermodal rail traffic continued to rise last week to its highest level since fall 2008, the Association of American Railroads said.

Intermodal volume grew 15.2% to 218,206 units from 189,408 last year, AAR said in its weekly report Thursday. It was the highest level since the 47th week of 2008.

Containers rose 16.8% to 185,784 units, while trailers gained 6.9% to 32,422 units for the week ended May 15.

Freight l traffic, which excludes intermodal traffic, rose 16.6% to 290,263 carloads, 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.