U.S.rail intermodal traffic set a record last week of 12.4 million shipments in a year,surpassing the previous mark of 12.28 million set in 2006.

The record was reached in the 50th week of its freight reporting year.

The Association of American Railroads on Dec.19 confirmed the new mark.The weekly total was 268,161 shipments,the second-highest ever and topped only by a single week earlier this year.

U.S.intermodal traffic was 12.27 million shipments last year.

With the latest report,truck/rail shipments have totaled 47%of all rail shipments,based on AAR data.Intermodal traffic measured by AAR has climbed 4.5%this year.Carload shipments have dipped 0.7%to 14.1 million.

The North American record for intermodal shipments was set last year at 14.6 million,helped by increased truck/rail traffic moved by railroads based in Canada.