No doubt about it, rail is a very fuel-efficient way to transport people and stuff. The Association of American Railroads announced that in 2009, freight trains in the U.S. averaged 480 ton-miles-per-gallon.
This mean that a 1-ton car would have to get 480 MPG to match it, and a 2-ton SUV would need 240 MPG! And that would be just to move the vehicles around, no other payload. (Read some facts about freight rail at theHugger)
Trains are Improving Faster than Cars
What's most impressive is the improvement over the past 30 years: "Overall, freight rail fuel efficiency is up 104 percent since 1980. In 2009, railroads generated 67 percent more ton-miles than in 1980, while using 18 percent less fuel."
What's most impressive is the improvement over the past 30 years: "Overall, freight rail fuel efficiency is up 104 percent since 1980. In 2009, railroads generated 67 percent more ton-miles than in 1980, while using 18 percent less fuel."
- Air 82 cents per ton mile
- Truck 26 cents per ton mile
- Rail 2.9 cents per ton mile
- Pipeline 1.49 cents per ton mile (2001)
NOTE: HIGH speed rail is still one of the most inefficient ways to move people...
Historical note: HighSpeed Rail is "a massive campaign to sustain the unsustainable."
