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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I think there is a lot of room for expansion of rail freight for long and intermediate distance runs, especially were we to toll interstate highways at a reasonable rate.
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I'm definitely in favor of tolling limited-access highways
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You don't buy the "better to have everyone on motorways than on the old roads through villages" argument?
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No, because it's nonsensical--motorways are add-ons to an underlying road network, like HSR is to an underlying rail (and other transit) network. You can have old roads w/o motorways but not vice versa.
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End of conversation
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