AAR Reports September Rail Intermodal Numbers Highest in 2009
14 Oct 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information contact:
AAR Communications, 202-639-2100
Holly Arthur harthur@aar.org
AAR Reports September Rail Intermodal Numbers Highest in 2009
Monthly Rail Time Indicators Report, Video Summary Available Online
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oct. 14, 2009 – The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported that while U.S. rail intermodal traffic in September was down 14.6 percent (to 993,235 units) compared with the same month last year, average weekly intermodal units in September 2009 were the highest since November 2008. In the monthly Rail Time Indicators report and video released today, AAR noted that the relative improvement in intermodal traffic may be related to retailers restocking shelves for the upcoming holiday season.
The report, available at www.aar.org, comprises monthly rail traffic data framed with other key economic indicators to show how freight rail ties into the broader U.S. economy.
September’s monthly carload data showed a decline – down by 14.2 percent (at 1,380,684 carloads) compared with the same month in 2008. Weather may have played a role in this decline, with flooding in the Southeastern U.S. affecting traffic across many commodity categories. Lower natural gas prices and the relatively mild summer may also have been a factor in carload declines, since there was a drop in demand for coal – the single largest commodity shipped by railroads. Coal traffic was down 13.3 percent (to 645,843 carloads) compared with September 2008.
“The data in the October report gives us some indication that better things may be on the horizon,” said AAR Senior Vice President of Policy and Economics John Gray. “While some of this activity is seasonal, railroads have taken more than 15,000 cars out of storage between September 1 and October 1. However, we must continue to wait and-see.”
Both the monthly Rail Time Indicators report and a video summary are available on the AAR web site: www.aar.org. A widget social-media tool, containing the video and link to the report also is available, which allows users to share the material by uploading it to Web sites, blogs, or online network profiles. This widget is a mini-Web application that also includes a contact form and a place to ask questions. To download the widget, click here or go to http://www.aar.org/NewsAndEvents/Widget/2009-0820-MonthlyTraffic.aspx