But even these enormous sums do not buy much: railways account for 40% of the government's total transport budget but only 8% of the journeys made.

ECONOMIST: Railways

Computers, software and telecoms now account for about 12% of America's total capital stock, not far short of the share accounted for by railways at the peak of America's railway age in the late 19th century.

ECONOMIST: A thinkers’ guide | The