Rail is competitive to many other transport modes. Trains use very little energy to move several tons of payload. Freight trains offer a more reliable alternative to river routes as many of those waterway transport volumes have been declining due to water levels. Alternatively, road transport is plagued with traffic jams, accidents, and air and noise pollution. Freight transport can help reduce those road related obstacles. Ongoing, modern technology developments continue to make the rail transport mode a more efficient and less costly option.