Logistics: December 27, 2004

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Military planners have to keep costs in mind, even where there is a war going on. One of the larger costs is for moving stuff (troops, equipment, supplies.) The cost of moving all this stuff varies greatly depending on how you do it. Moving by railroad costs about three cents per ton mile (moving one ton one mile.) Moving by trucks is about ten times more expensive (30 cents a ton mile.) Moving by inland waterways (barges, or coastal freighters) is about one cent per ton mile, moving material using oceanic shipping is even cheaper. Moving gas or liquids by pipeline costs about two cents per ton mile. Air freight costs about 80 cents per ton mile. Price will vary depending on the condition of the infrastructure (roads, rail lines, barge canals and ports), and does not include the cost of building the infrastructure in the first place.