Advantages of rail transport

Get back on the rails. Transportation lies at the core of commerce. Being able to move products on-time leads to sales and high-profit rates. When most companies think of transporting goods, they think of road transport. Yet road transport is far from perfect. There’s another means of transport that businesses should consider: rail transport. The advantages of rail transport over road transport are substantial. Here are eight that you should know.

1. Rail Transport Is Environmentally Friendly: Rail transport is an environmentally friendly way to transport goods. Freight railroads make up less than one percent of American greenhouse gas emissions. If twenty-five percent of truck traffic went by rail instead, greenhouse gas emissions would fall by thirteen million tons every year.

2. Rail Transport Provides Long-Distance Travel Without Breaks: Trains do run on time. Schedules are regular, with shipments running around the clock. If you want to ship something at night, you can through rail transport. Railroad drivers travel in teams. When one needs a break, another member can step in for them. Truck drivers usually travel by themselves, meaning that when they take a break, the shipment stops. Trains can be timed to avoid congestion. Traffic congestion can occur at any moment on a highway, especially during rush hour. Without congestion, trains get to their destination on time.

3. Rail Transport Is Perfect for Bulky Goods: Bulky goods are always difficult to transport. They have to be lifted onto the vehicle, tied down and checked to make sure they haven’t broken. Railroads are perfect for transporting bulky goods. Smooth and clean rail lines do not cause bumps. Bulky goods can remain on vehicle beds without breaking. Trains can be directed onto rail siding. This allows employees to add or remove objects with ease.

4. Rail Transport Regulations Are Straightforward: If you are shipping across state lines, you follow federal regulations. The federal government regulates how long an employee can drive a train.

5. Rail Transport Is Cheap: Rail transport may have a high upfront cost. But in the long run, shipping by rail will save you money. Since rail delivers goods faster than road transport, you can make sales sooner. You can make sales within train stations and depots, driving up your return on investment.

Transitioning to rail transport isn’t jumping off the rails. Rail transport makes great business sense. It is cleaner, safer, and faster to transport goods by rail than by road. Rail transport is perfect for bulk goods and quick delivery into cities. Rail transport lets you build a traditional brand, manage regulations, and save your company money.