> This analysis seems wrong for at least a couple of reasons.
How so?
> The US freight network is extremely efficient as others have pointed out.
'Others' being literally the comment you replied to.
> The US could have better rail service by investing in passenger networks.
Everything there is can be improved, of course, but to what significance here?
1. Freight is easier to manage and has better economics on a dedicated network. The US freight network is extremely efficient as others have pointed out. Other networks, e.g., Germany, instead prioritized passenger service. In Germany rail moves a small proportion of freight (19%) compared to trucks. [0] It's really noticeable on the Autobahn and unlike the US where a lot of truck traffic is intermodal loads.
2. The US could have better rail service by investing in passenger networks. Instead we have boondoggles like the California high-speed rail project which has already burned through 10s of billions of dollars with no end in sight. [1] Or the New Jersey Transit system which I had the pleasure to ride on earlier today to Newark Airport. It has pretty good coverage but needs investment.
[0] https://dhl-freight-connections.com/en/trends/global-freight...
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_High-Speed_Rail