David, as for your example: "NB potato farmers shipping potatoes - a heavy low margin commodity ideal for rail shipping - by truck because it is easier than trying to deal with the rail companies.", during my work in Medicine Hat almost 20 years ago, most companies expressed frustration with the disinterest of the rail companies to work with them... including the Goodyear tire factory that employed 400 people. Working in the Edmonton region for a number of years until last summer, when working to address an RFP or Expression of Interest for a site selector, getting any response for information from one of the railways to answer basic development questions was just a dream - and that was experienced by EDOs across the Capital Region.
There is no easy answer to the best transportation system. Whether subsidized or private, the rail system is the most expensive and awkward way to move most commodities, including people. The transportation system, like housing and the food supply, is going through a metamorphosis, and the best-laid plans will likely fail. Electric self-driving publicly-owned cars might someday be the only practical way to move people in cities, and freight could be moved in nuclear-powered ships to seaports where self-driving nuclear-powered truck trains pick up the containers and deliver them. Computer guidance, truck trains, and something like dirigibles could replace the rail system and turn the air transportation industry on its head.
Change is now a constant, and private investment in existing technology is naturally cautious. As in a war, a plan lasts only until the first shot is fired. But we can't win if we don't try, and shining a light is better than stumbling around in the dark.
Agreed David - really like the idea of the Province keeping a running tally of what is happening in the transportation sector - the world changes around us - but it is hard to see on a day to day - year over year usually sheds more light.. We also need to keep our infrastructure well maintained and have a shared strategy to do so - it could even be a provincial economic selling point.
David, as for your example: "NB potato farmers shipping potatoes - a heavy low margin commodity ideal for rail shipping - by truck because it is easier than trying to deal with the rail companies.", during my work in Medicine Hat almost 20 years ago, most companies expressed frustration with the disinterest of the rail companies to work with them... including the Goodyear tire factory that employed 400 people. Working in the Edmonton region for a number of years until last summer, when working to address an RFP or Expression of Interest for a site selector, getting any response for information from one of the railways to answer basic development questions was just a dream - and that was experienced by EDOs across the Capital Region.
Harold Wilson
There is no easy answer to the best transportation system. Whether subsidized or private, the rail system is the most expensive and awkward way to move most commodities, including people. The transportation system, like housing and the food supply, is going through a metamorphosis, and the best-laid plans will likely fail. Electric self-driving publicly-owned cars might someday be the only practical way to move people in cities, and freight could be moved in nuclear-powered ships to seaports where self-driving nuclear-powered truck trains pick up the containers and deliver them. Computer guidance, truck trains, and something like dirigibles could replace the rail system and turn the air transportation industry on its head.
Change is now a constant, and private investment in existing technology is naturally cautious. As in a war, a plan lasts only until the first shot is fired. But we can't win if we don't try, and shining a light is better than stumbling around in the dark.
Agreed David - really like the idea of the Province keeping a running tally of what is happening in the transportation sector - the world changes around us - but it is hard to see on a day to day - year over year usually sheds more light.. We also need to keep our infrastructure well maintained and have a shared strategy to do so - it could even be a provincial economic selling point.