# Game Analysis of Different Transportation Modes in a Corridor Considering Carbon Emission Costs
## 5 Conclusions  
This study employs game theory methodologies and concepts to examine the competitive dynamics between high-speed rail (HSR) and other transportation modes within the express freight corridor. By imposing a carbon emission tax on different transportation methods, the pursuit of low-carbon objectives is translated into a cost factor considered by shippers. The results of the game indicate that, with strategic pricing, HSR emerges as an ideal choice for rapid freight services, capturing a significant share of the goods market and securing notable benefits. Furthermore, enhanced cooperation between rail transport enterprises to synchronize HSR with conventional rail services could amplify revenues. However, the case study presented here is confined to distances within 1000 km, where HSR exhibits peak competitiveness.  
This study not only reveals the economic benefits of high-speed rail express but also emphasizes its importance in environmental protection. Compared to road and air transport, high-speed rail express has significantly lower carbon emissions, effectively reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, although conventional railways may be less competitive in fast freight services, their high-capacity transport capabilities offer advantages in long-distance transportation. Road transport, on the other hand, maintains a crucial position in short-distance and regional freight due to its flexibility. However, its high emission characteristics pose greater environmental challenges to the future. By adopting reasonable pricing strategies and selecting appropriate transportation modes, logistics companies can meet market demands while achieving sustainable development goals.  
Future research should account for how deepening integration between transport services, efficient logistics, and the development of a comprehensive transportation system and network might influence game equilibrium with varying transport distances. Additionally, exploring revenue distribution and pricing strategies for intermodal transportation through cooperative game theory could bridge the gap between theoretical findings and their practical applications. Moreover, this paper simplifies the carbon emission tax as a constant factor, highlighting the necessity for more comprehensive carbon tax standards to elucidate their impact on transportation competitiveness.  
Figure 5: Adjusted iterative convergence graph.  
**Author Contributions:** [PERSON] led the conceptualization, methodology development, and wrote the original draft, establishing the foundational theoretical approach of the study. [PERSON] contributed to the study by developing the research framework, ensuring the project's conceptual integrity and operational feasibility. [PERSON] was responsible for data collection and analysis, providing the empirical evidence necessary for supporting the study's conclusions. [PERSON] enhanced the manuscript through critical revision and language optimization, ensuring the clarity and effectiveness of its communication. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.  
**Funding:** This research was funded by Gansu Provincial Natural Science Foundation Project: Research on Theory and Methods of High-Speed Railway Transportation Network Design (No. 23 JRRA1687), Industry Support Plan Project from Department of Education of Gansu Province (No. 2024 CYZC-28) and Key Research and Development Project of Gansu Province (No. 22 YF7 GA142).  
**Institutional Review Board Statement:** Not applicable.  
**Informed Consent Statement:** Not applicable.  
**Data Availability Statement:** The original contributions presented in the study are included in the article, further inquiries can be directed to the corresponding authors.  
**Conflicts of Interest:** The authors declare no conflicts of interest.