With an ongoing driver shortage in trucking, why can railroads take up the slack?
Railroads are most efficient in “long-haul” situations. Because of our history of sustainable forest management, wood-processing mills are able to fulfill their requirements within relatively short hauling distances – typically under 150 miles. Agriculture is likewise de-centralized, with farms distributed too widely for rail hubs to provide practical service. Today, trucks account for over 90% of fresh fruit and vegetable transport, and 95% of livestock transport. Fresh dairy products are also primarily handled by trucks over relatively short distances. Because of structural changes in agriculture, including grain, the percentage of total truck (vs. rail) hauling has continued to increase. At best, rail transport can only be used for part of the woods-to-mill and farm-to-mill transport routes, for instance between intermediate processors. In the case of logging operations, since they are mobile, moving from one woods location to another, trucking is necessary for, at least, some part
Railroads are most efficient in “long-haul” situations. Because of our history of sustainable forest management, wood-processing mills are able to fulfill their requirements within relatively short hauling distances – typically under 150 miles. Agriculture is likewise de-centralized, with farms distributed too widely for rail hubs to provide practical service. Today, trucks account for over 90% of fresh fruit and vegetable transport, and 95% of livestock transport. Fresh dairy products are also primarily handled by trucks over relatively short distances. Because of structural changes in agriculture, including grain, the percentage of total truck (vs. rail) hauling has continued to increase. At best, rail transport can only be used for part of the woods-to-mill and farm-to-mill transport routes, for instance between intermediate processors. In the case of logging operations, since they are mobile, moving from one woods location to another, trucking is necessary for, at least, some part
