5 ms·

Try this experiment: Attempt to push a boat while swimming in the water, then try to push the same boat while it is on a trailer on land. Which one is easier t

Try this experiment: Attempt to push a boat while swimming in the water, then try to push the same boat while it is on a trailer on land. Which one is easier to move?

deleted 3y ago
[deleted]
criddell 3y ago
Yeah, I can see that. At the same time, swimming speed isn’t very useful for anybody. What are the relative energy requirements to move ten thousand pounds at 30 mph in the water vs on rails?
- CuriousCosmic 3y ago
  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_efficiency_in_transport#US_Freight_transport https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_efficiency_in_transport... > | transport mode | Fuel consumption | > | ---------------------- | BTU per short ton-mile | kJ per tonne-kilometre | > | Domestic waterborne | 217 | 160 | > | Class 1 railroads | 289 | 209 | > | Heavy trucks | 3,357 | 2,426 | > | Air freight (approx.) | 9,600 | 6,900 | In other words waterborne freight is generally around 25% cheaper energy wise and far easier/cheaper to scale capacity relative to rail. It's also worth looking at some of the other numbers on that page. German numbers work out ocean freight to be over 3x cheaper energywise per tkm relative to rail.
- quickthrowman 3y ago
  River barges are more efficient than trains, see the two sources below as well as the sibling comment. > Per one gallon of fuel: > A truck can carry one ton of cargo just 59 miles. > By rail, one ton of cargo can travel 202 miles. > An inland barge can carry one ton of cargo 514 miles. https://www.portoflittlerock.com/2023/10/the-benefits-of-river-transportation/ https://www.portoflittlerock.com/2023/10/the-benefits-of-riv... > The study shows that barges can move a ton of cargo 647 miles with a single gallon of fuel, an increase from an earlier estimate of 616 miles. In contrast, trains can move the same ton of cargo 477 miles per gallon, and trucks can move the same ton of cargo 145 miles per gallon. > https://maritime-executive.com/article/barge-transport-wins-on-fuel-efficiency#:~:text=The%20study%20shows%20that%20barges,cargo%20145%20miles%20per%20gallon https://maritime-executive.com/article/barge-transport-wins-....
- zardo 3y ago
  15 mph is more typical for a cargo ship than 30.

Try this experiment: Attempt to push a boat while swimming in the water, then try to push the same boat while it is on a trailer on land. Which one is easier to move?

deleted 3y ago

[deleted]

criddell 3y ago

Yeah, I can see that. At the same time, swimming speed isn’t very useful for anybody. What are the relative energy requirements to move ten thousand pounds at 30 mph in the water vs on rails?

CuriousCosmic 3y ago
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_efficiency_in_transport#US_Freight_transport https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_efficiency_in_transport... > | transport mode | Fuel consumption | > | ---------------------- | BTU per short ton-mile | kJ per tonne-kilometre | > | Domestic waterborne | 217 | 160 | > | Class 1 railroads | 289 | 209 | > | Heavy trucks | 3,357 | 2,426 | > | Air freight (approx.) | 9,600 | 6,900 | In other words waterborne freight is generally around 25% cheaper energy wise and far easier/cheaper to scale capacity relative to rail. It's also worth looking at some of the other numbers on that page. German numbers work out ocean freight to be over 3x cheaper energywise per tkm relative to rail.
quickthrowman 3y ago
River barges are more efficient than trains, see the two sources below as well as the sibling comment. > Per one gallon of fuel: > A truck can carry one ton of cargo just 59 miles. > By rail, one ton of cargo can travel 202 miles. > An inland barge can carry one ton of cargo 514 miles. https://www.portoflittlerock.com/2023/10/the-benefits-of-river-transportation/ https://www.portoflittlerock.com/2023/10/the-benefits-of-riv... > The study shows that barges can move a ton of cargo 647 miles with a single gallon of fuel, an increase from an earlier estimate of 616 miles. In contrast, trains can move the same ton of cargo 477 miles per gallon, and trucks can move the same ton of cargo 145 miles per gallon. > https://maritime-executive.com/article/barge-transport-wins-on-fuel-efficiency#:~:text=The%20study%20shows%20that%20barges,cargo%20145%20miles%20per%20gallon https://maritime-executive.com/article/barge-transport-wins-....
zardo 3y ago
15 mph is more typical for a cargo ship than 30.