• ℍ𝕂-𝟞𝟝@sopuli.xyz
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    1 day ago

    Long distance freight over land is possible, but requires large investments and it isn’t clear what is the best investment is.

    Trains? I mean what other viable way is there to transport goods over large distances?

    • bluGill@fedia.io
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      1 day ago

      Trains, and trucks. Trains can run from overhead wire but so far that has remained too expensive to be worth installing. Trucks are also significant and it isn’t clear what we should do about them (there are many options, but what it the right one isn’t clear)

      • ℍ𝕂-𝟞𝟝@sopuli.xyz
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        24 hours ago

        The EU has a lower GDP and more train tracks by length in the EU than in the US, by far. Not to speak of China. The US was built on train tracks in the first place.

        Trucks are not ideal for long distance transit, they are much more expensive. Even diesel trains are much more efficient than trucks.

        • bluGill@fedia.io
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          23 hours ago

          The EU sends far less freight over rail than the US.

          Trucks have limitations, but their door to door ability it a nice win for some applications. Trucks are not that much less efficient than trains when you account for door to door and differences in freight types.