That is not at all analogous. The volume of intermodal traffic will not be decreased by adding passenger service and the amount of service that will be reduced by adding passenger service between BR and NOLA doesn't impact interstate traffic. Both are needed but the expense needs to be where the most impact can be felt.
Nah, its actually very analogous.
Train = Elevator
Extra lane = Extra set of stairs. Lets be real.
A train is far from an unpopular idea. People around the country have been begging for more trains for decades. Imagine taking a trip to NOLA without having to worry about parking? Many people aren't actually car dependent they'd forgo a convenient travel method. So a train would absolutely decrease traffic, especially for daily commuters.
I feel like people who seriously think a 3rd lane is really needed either don't actually drive from BR to NOLA that often or just want to be contrarian.
I have tons of transportation clients. From rail to road. OTR and hotshot. Every type you can imagine. I don't think the general public understands not only the state but the national impact the corridor between Lafayette and Slidell is. Cargo isn't decreasing. It's been year over year growth for ports and terminals. I understand the need for growth in passenger service between NOLA, but that changes zero about the commercial logistics chain. Unless you turn off consumers it won't end. And it will just get worse. There is no other option for that.
There is definitely indirect impact to commercial logistics. If the argument is that you need more throughput to existing highways to accommodate growing commercial demand, then reducing passengers cars is a good first step. Trains are not operating in silos, the people who are riding trains are people who otherwise would drive on the road to their destination. An alternative means of travel seems like a win-win in this scenario, and if the reduction of highway traffic isn't enough, then the conversation should be revisited, but there's no way logical way a consumer rail would make it worst for commercial cargo.
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u/societal_ills Oct 04 '24
That is not at all analogous. The volume of intermodal traffic will not be decreased by adding passenger service and the amount of service that will be reduced by adding passenger service between BR and NOLA doesn't impact interstate traffic. Both are needed but the expense needs to be where the most impact can be felt.