US rail transportation of petroleum products last week increased 53.6% year-on-year, the Association of American Railroads said Thursday.
Petroleum products carloads increased to 11,594 in the most recent week, from 8,007 carloads in the same week of 2011.
US railroads reported a 12.1% decrease in total carloads originated, while intermodal volume fell 8% compared with the same week a year ago, AAR said. Intermodal traffic involves movement by more than one mode of transport -- rail, ship and truck.
Rail traffic is seen as a useful gauge on the health of the US economy.
In the most recent week, total North American petroleum carloads were 41.9% higher year-on-year, with a 27.9% rise and a 8.3% fall in Canada and Mexico, respectively.
