Not sure--but I'm inclined to say that the high time value + high value relative to weight both favor air/road for most mail delivery
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Replying to @380kmh @uncriticalsimon
Again, that's only because we've built out the road and air infrastructure so extensively, while neglecting rail.
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Replying to @capntransit @uncriticalsimon
Really not sure how you can call a nationwide network of profitable freight rail companies--which command one of the highest mode shares in the world--"neglecting rail" Neglecting passenger rail, sure--but that's because they prioritize freight so much!
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Replying to @380kmh @uncriticalsimon
How many highway lane-miles were built by the government in the past seventy years? How many track-miles, net, were built by the government?
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Replying to @capntransit @uncriticalsimon
How many highway lane-miles existed 70 years ago vs how many track-miles existed 70 years ago?
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You look at the EU or Japan, they also built a lot more highways than railways in the past 70 years. Ditto for countries like China more recently. The reason is obvious; highway construction was something new, while rail construction was fine-tuning something already extensive
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Replying to @capntransit @uncriticalsimon
Isn't it? You could say the same about how many airports we built vs seaports or train terminals
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Anyway, my point from the get-go still stands: it's not clear how much more freight we realistically *can* carry by rail, as we already carry a greater share by rail than most other industrialized countries, whereas those with better passenger rail mode shares carry less freight.
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the obama administration's approach to passenger rail - to basically build out full new track networks of purpose built HSR rather than continuing to share ROWs with freight - seems like the correct approach?
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It's worthwhile to build new ROWs in some places (and more or less imperative for HSR), but existing ROWs are already very well situated (especially in older parts of the country) and can't be ignored--moreover you can't have a viable rail system that's only HSR.
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