>>1706560>Is the fact that rail transport is less flexible really that much of an issue when most logistics chains will probably settle into a pattern at a large enough scale?While those chains will settle into a pattern, the particular pattern varies on how individuals, businesses, government etc. realize a system that people participate and support in.
And in much of the world,
>>1706562 is a problem because the pattern that emerged was one of (relatively) low population density spread across a large area. In that kind of system, road transport is both more cost-effective and efficient than rail transport. However, the pattern itself is costly and inefficient relative to a system where the propagated pattern is dense population density built-up over small distances.
For most of the USA, people are dependent on road systems to maintain their settled pattern. The pattern would have to change for rail to become viable, yet alone competitive.
