But why? I would think that trains, which aren’t constrained to gasoline and have dedicated tracks, should be able to obtain higher efficiencies compared to trucks going the same long distances?
Think of shipping as an optimization problem where various modes are selected for different parts of the path. You have to run the optimization problem to see what mix makes the most sense -- and don't expect it to necessarily be simple or obvious.
Logistics is complex; you'll also need to factor many things into the optimization:
* both fixed and marginal costs of each mode (e.g. maintaining track, monitoring safety, wear and tear on vehicles, varying fuel costs)
* constraints (due to technology, personnel, regulations, etc)
* fluctuations in demand and shipping objectives
* lots more
If you want to focus on only one slice of the problem... Sure, for the exact same route (meaning that a particular track has already been built), one would expect that trains are more efficient. The data shows that; e.g. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_efficiency_in_transport...
you are correct. That's why they don't really compete with each other. You put it on a train for a long distance and then trucks pick it up to spread it out from there.
Sometimes people use "compete" in a casual way that overlooks key economic connections. Competition is a force that is always present, even if it is not currently the "most obvious" factor in play at a given time.
I think any definition of competition must be relative to the sphere of economic activity. So, when it comes to transportation in general, rail and trucks do compete -- by this I mean they offer services with varying prices and characteristics.
Just because rail and trucking have different sweet spots at a particular point in time does not mean that they don't compete. Both (a) think about how and why customers choose them over the other, (b) seek opportunities (for investment or growth) that lead to a competitive edge, and (c) therefore, influence each other.
that's what my "really" was meant to convey... "they don't compete with each other" would be contra what you said, "they don't really compete with each other" isn't. A different way of saying it is "Trucking is not competitive with trains at certain distances"
Logistics is complex; you'll also need to factor many things into the optimization: * both fixed and marginal costs of each mode (e.g. maintaining track, monitoring safety, wear and tear on vehicles, varying fuel costs) * constraints (due to technology, personnel, regulations, etc) * fluctuations in demand and shipping objectives * lots more
If you want to focus on only one slice of the problem... Sure, for the exact same route (meaning that a particular track has already been built), one would expect that trains are more efficient. The data shows that; e.g. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_efficiency_in_transport...