Contrasting railroad and road freight
1. Bulk commodities can be transported centrally on railroads because of their large carrying capacities.
2. The economic scale and low per-unit cost of rail transportation.
3. The railway is safe and quick, come rain or shine, even without taking into account the variables of remodelling on the way.
4. Road transportation can be delivered on-site and covers a wide range of terrain.
5. There is considerable transparency and flexibility in road transportation.
6. Road transportation processes are easy and convenient, and the level of service is much higher than it is on trains.
The primary difference in options is:
1. Within 1000 miles, road travel makes sense because it is comparatively fast and safe. More than 1000 kilometers are suited for train travel and are safer, particularly in Southwest China, Xinjiang, and Tibet.
2. Highways are appropriate for transporting delicate items that are difficult to load and unload. They are individually loaded and unloaded and difficult to damage. It is quite likely that a railway may sustain damage, and rough handling is frequent.
3. Transporting hundreds of tons is appropriate for railroads, whereas moving a few dozen tons is ideal for highways.
