Chapter 2 Transportation

2.4 Modes of Transport

Mode of transport (or means of transport or types of transport or transport modality or form of transport) is a term used to distinguish substantially different ways to perform transport. The most dominant modes of transport are aviation, ship transport, and land transport, which includes rail, road and off-road transport. Other modes also exist, including pipelines, cable transport, etc. Each mode of transport has a fundamentally different technological solution, and some require a separate environment. Each mode has its own infrastructure, vehicles, and operations, and often has unique regulations. Transport using more than one mode is described as intermodal.

2.4.1 Air Transport

With the rapid development of aeronautic science and technology, air transportation has been increasing tremendously and become the most recent form of transportation and plays a more important role than ever before. It is noted that air transportation still accounts for a very small percentage of world total imports and exports, however its growth rate in recent years is the highest among modes of transport.

 Air transportation has many advantages compared to other modes of transport. It is generally most suitable for goods with high value, i.e. a high ratio of price to weight. These goods may include but not limited to precious art goods, fur garments, high-class instruments, computers, cameras, watches, etc., which can afford the high cost of transportation without any dampening effect on their marketability. Merchants are more inclined to ship these goods by air. Furthermore, exporters can benefit from quick delivery, since they can achieve quick turnover and maintain a relatively small inventory of raw materials or finished products, particularly in the export market. In addition, air transportation proves to be almost indispensable to perishable goods, which are liable to deteriorate or become useless if the voyage takes a longer time, say more than a week.

2.4.2 Land Transport

Land transport covers all land-based transportation systems that provide for the movement of people, goods and services. Land transport plays a vital role in linking communities to each other. Land transport is a key factor in urban planning. It has 2 kinds they are, Rail and Road

(1) Rail

Rail transport is a means of conveyance of passengers and goods by way of wheeled vehicles running on rail track, known as a railway or railroad. The rails are anchored perpendicular to railroad train consists of one or more connected vehicles that run on the rails. Propulsion is commonly provided by a locomotive, that hauls a series of unpowered cars, can carry passengers or freight. The locomotive can be powered by steam, diesel or by electricity supplied by trackside systems. Alternatively, some or all the cars can be powered, known as a multiple unit. Also, a train can be powered by horses, cables, gravity, pneumatics and gas turbines. Railed vehicles move with much less friction than rubber tires on paved roads, making trains more energy efficient, though not as efficient as ships.

(2) Road

A road is an identifiable route of travel, usually surfaced with gravel, asphalt or concrete, and supporting land passage by foot or by a number of vehicles. The most common road vehicle in the developed world is the automobile; a wheeled passenger vehicle that carries its own motor. As of 2002, there were 591 million automobiles worldwide. Other users of roads include motorcars, motorcycles, buses, trucks, bicycles and pedestrians, and special provisions are sometimes made for each of these. For example, the use of bus lanes give priority for public transport, and cycle lanes provide special areas of road for bicycles to use. Motorcars offer high flexibility, but are deemed with high energy and area use, and the main source of noise and air pollution in cities; buses allow for more efficient travel at the cost of reduced flexibility. Road transport by truck is often the initial and final stage of freight transport.

2.4.3 Water Transport

Water transport is the process of transport that a watercraft, such as a barge, boat, ship or sailboat, makes over a body of water, such as a sea, ocean, lake, canal or river. If a boat or other vessel can successfully pass through a waterway it is known as a navigable waterway.

In the 1800s, the first steamboats were developed, using a steam engine to drive a paddle wheel or propeller to move the ship. The steam was produced using wood or coal. Now, most ships have an engine using a slightly refined type of petroleum called bunker fuel. Some ships, such as submarines, use nuclear power to produce the steam. Recreational or educational craft still use wind power, while some smaller craft use internal combustion engines to drive one or more propellers, or in the case of jet boats, an inboard water jet. In shallow draft areas, hovercraft are propelled by large pusher-prop fans.

2.4.4 Other Modes

(1) Pipeline transport 

Pipeline transport sends goods through a pipe, most commonly liquid and gases are sent, but pneumatic tubes can also send solid capsules using compressed air. For liquids/gases, any chemically stable liquid or gas can be sent through a pipeline. Short-distance systems exist for sewage, slurry water and beer, while long-distance networks are used for petroleum and natural gas.

(2) Cable transport 

Cable transport is a broad mode where vehicles are pulled by cables instead of an internal power source. It is most commonly used at steep gradient. Typical solutions include aerial tramway, elevators, escalator and ski lifts; some of these are also categorized as conveyor transport.