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But that's a good question. I'm not sure the math holds out for rail (or any other new mode of transportation) without economic growth.
Here's a proposition to ponder: Without economic growth, there is no need for any expansion of transportation infrastructure.
Even if this were not the case, the case for an upgrade to the infrastructure that results in lower resource use for the same service would depend on your planning horizon. If the service cost, including depreciation, is lower for the new mode than the old mode, then there exists a discount rate for which an upgrade is viable.
Finally, it is possible to have growth in terms of the quality of service rather than in terms of the number of ton- or passenger-kilometers travelled. Rail offers a number of advantages over airplanes and cars - they are more comfortable than either; unlike planes, you don't have to go through a gauntlet of goons to get on; and unlike cars you're not driving yourself, so you can use the time for more interesting pursuits.
- Jake Friends come and go. Enemies accumulate.
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