Why was standardization of tracks and time zones important for railroads?

Answer: They offered greater efficiency in production, safety, and scheduling

It is important because it lessens, minimize, or reduce competition in the western part of the country, they can determine accurately the time zone of one town from another town - for example, one town might have 6 am whenever the sun rises and another town had 6 am 10 minutes later, they made it possible for towns to lay their own tracks and most importantly; they provide greater efficiency in production, safety, and scheduling.