Chapter 10

Transport Systems
and Their Spatial
Distribution
What are transport systems?
Where are transport nodes located within a city?
Why are transport systems located in cities?
Success Criteria
I will be able to

• describe the characteristics of transport systems in cities.

• describe the locations of transport nodes in cities.
• explain the reasons for transport systems in cities.
Success Criteria
I will be able to
• describe the characteristics of transport systems in cities

WHAT

Characteristics

• What makes up the transport system?

• What are the components?
What came to mind when you
read the term “Transport
System?”

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I will be able to describe the characteristics of transport systems in cities.

What are transport systems?

• Transport is one of the most important human activities as it connects
people between different locations
• It provides people with opportunities for social interaction and economic
trade
• It consist of three components/ characteristics:
Components of Transport
System
Networks Modes

Infrastructure
 I will be able to describe the characteristics of transport systems in cities.

Components of transport systems

Networks Node: Represents a location

that provides entry to the
– a transport
transport network.
network contains
nodes that are linked
by routes. Route: Represents the path for
travel between nodes.

The more nodes and routes there are in a transport network within a city, the denser the transport
network becomes. This makes it easier for people to reach locations and engage in different activities.
 Node: Woodlands station Route: North South Line

SMRT Train
Network
 What are
Transport Infrastructures?
• Structures that are fundamental in
supporting the functioning of a
transport system
• Common Examples:
• Road
• Railways
• Bridges
• Walkways
• Bicycle lanes
• Signages

I will be able to describe the characteristics of transport systems in cities.

Identify the transport components
shown in the map below
 Classify the components identified
according to the following categories
Node Route Infrastructure
I will be able to describe the characteristics of transport systems in cities.

Characteristics of transport systems

Determined by the following
indicators:
The quality of the
infrastructure Coverage: availability and reach of infrastructure
influences the
Capacity: number of people and goods that can be moved
reliability and
performance of the Frequency: number of occurrences of a service
transport system.
Convenience: ease of movement

Environmental sustainability: environmental impact

I will be able to describe the characteristics of transport systems in cities.

Characteristics of transport systems

Fixed routes: Public transport that moves
along fixed routes and stop at specific
Modes: nodes according to the timed schedules
the variety of
Point-to-point transport service:
transport modes Customised according to the customer’s
available in cities; on needs
or through land,
water and air. Motorised: Runs on engine using fuel or
EVs
Non-motorised: Includes walking or
cycling
Success Criteria
I will be able to
describe the locations of transport nodes in cities.

WHERE

• Where are transport nodes located within a city?

I will be able to describe the locations of transport nodes in cities.

Where are transport nodes located within a

city?
• Locations and nodes are not equal in terms of their importance and the
roles that they play in a transport network.
• There are major and minor transport nodes.
• The nodes are usually located at places where there are concentration of
activities and at places with high accessibility.

Located in areas with high

Major nodes
concentration of activities
Transport
Nodes
Minor nodes Located at places with high
accessibility
I will be able to describe the locations of transport nodes in cities.

Types of nodes in cities

Terminal: facility where passengers and freight
either originate or terminate in the transportation
process
Major
Interchanges: important points of transfer within
or between transportation networks of different
modes to ensure continuity of traffic flow

Examples: Bus stops, each MRT train stops, taxi

Minor stands
Identify the transport nodes shown in the map
below
Classify the nodes identified according to
the following categories
Minor Major
I will be able to describe the locations of transport nodes in cities.

Areas with high concentration of activities

Finance and Banking
Manufacturing
Activities in Retail
Leisure
cities Residential
Education

Why are nodes So that more people can access them

located here?
I will be able to describe the locations of transport nodes in cities.

Areas with high concentration of activities

These areas in the Central
Example: Central Business Area holds great commercial
District (CBD) and Marina Bay significance.
Financial Centre (MBFC)
It is known as the city centre.

Major nodes:
Provides people with access
Raffles Place, to commercial services and
City Hall and employment opportunities
Bayfront MRT stations available in the Central Area.
Which map shows an area with higher
concentration of activities?
I will be able to describe the locations of transport nodes in cities.

Areas with high level of accessibility

It refers to the ease of reaching
Accessibility destinations or activities.

Why are nodes So that many different destinations

located at can be reached with ease within a
places with given time frame and cost.
high levels of Generally, short travel time and low
accessibility? travel cost indicate high accessibility.
Which map shows an area with
higher level of accessibility?
Success Criteria
I will be able to
explain the reasons for transport systems in cities.

WHY

• What roles do transport systems play?

• How do transport systems support connection?
I will be able to explain the reasons for transport systems in cities.

Why are transport systems located in cities?

• Transport systems enable the movement of people as well as good
and services.

Role of Transport Systems

Movement Connection
Connection
Movement of between
between
of People Goods and Transport
Cities
Services Modes
I will be able to explain the reasons for transport systems in cities.

Reasons for Transport Systems in Cities

• Facilitate everyday movement of people
• Allows people to commute to work
• The physical separation of residential areas and employment
Movement of makes it necessary for people to commute from their home to
people their workplaces daily.
• Gives people access to social activities that will improve people’s
social and emotional well-being.
• Makes it more convenient for commuters to reach the amenities

• Ensures the functioning of economic activities by supplying goods

Movement for and services from where they are produced to where they are
consumed.
goods and • E-commerce made transport of goods and services more vital.
services • Important services delivered using transport system for daily
needs – water supply trucks during droughts
I will be able to explain the reasons for transport systems in cities.

Reasons for Transport Systems in Cities

Journeys can be unimodal or
Supports intermodal
connection
between Unimodal: Intermodal:
transport involving only involving the use
modes one transport of two or more
mode transport modes
Efficient, seamless movement, more destinations can be reached, passengers do
not get lost and goods do not go missing – however, a lot of careful planning is
needed
What type of connections?
Before 2021 Mr Poh goes to work by walking from his house to a LRT
station. He will alight at CCK interchange and transfer to a MRT train to
JE interchange where he will change to another train to reach Lakeside
MRT station. He will then complete the rest of the journey by walking.
• What type of connections is describe above?

After 2021 Mr Poh owns a car and will drive to work daily.
• What type of connections is describe above?
I will be able to explain the reasons for transport systems in cities.

Reasons for Transport Systems in Cities

Connections can be direct
(Point-to-Point) or indirect
Supports (Hub-and-Spoke
connections Hub-and-Spoke:
Point-to-Point: Connects every
between Cities Connects a set of location through
locations directly one intermediary
without any location called a
interruptions hub (location to
make transfers).