Final answer:
Railroads lost market share in the 20th century due to increased competition from automobiles, aviation, and trucks, along with shifts in government policy, technological advancements, and infrastructural investments that favored roads. This led to government intervention to maintain passenger rail services like the creation of Amtrak.
Step-by-step explanation:
In terms of an organization's business, railroads may have lost market share in the 20th century because they faced increased competition from newer forms of transportation such as personal automobiles and aviation, which provided greater flexibility and speed for passengers respectively. Additionally, the rise of interstate highway systems further facilitated the shift of freight transport from rails to trucks, which often offered better door-to-door service and on-demand scheduling. This shift was exacerbated by changes in government policies, including deregulation in the transportation sector, which led to more competitive pricing in alternative transportation modes and diminishing advantages once held by railroads.
Moreover, technological innovation in other areas of transport, along with infrastructural investments that favored roads over rails, added to the rail industry's challenges. While railroads were once the backbone of American transportation, especially during their explosive growth due to industrialization in the 19th century, the 20th century saw a realignment in how goods and people moved across the country. The government's consolidation of rail lines and creation of Amtrak is indicative of the industry's diminished role and the necessity for government intervention to maintain passenger rail service.