TRANSPORTATION –

MAJOR MODES OF TRANSPORTATION- LAND (ROAD, RAIL), AIR, WATER, PIPELINE.

There are five basic means of transporting products used by manufacturer and distributors. All of these
transportation choices have advantages and disadvantages. Some of these modes are explained below;

TRANSPORT

LAND AIR WATER

ROADWAYS RAILWAYS INLAND OCEAN

RIVER CANAL

COASTAL OVERSEAS

1. ROAD TRASPORTATION- ROAD transportation refers to the movement of people, goods, or

animal from one place to another over the land using various vehicles or modes of
transportation. It plays a crucial role in our daily lives by facilitating mobility and commerce.
There are various types of land transport modes available that can be used depending on the
distance, speed, cargo and other factors. These land modes are; bicycle, motorcycle, cars, buses,
trucks, trains, etc..
ROAD TRANSPORT
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
1. Less investment Unstable and unpredictable
2. Flexibility and convenience Traffic congestion
3. Door to door service delivery Not suitable for heavy cargo
4. Wide coverage area Accidents and safety risks
5. Cheaper transportation Lack of organizational structure
2. RAIL TRANSPORTATION- Is a means of transport that transfers passengers and goods on
wheeled vehicles running on rails, which are incorporated in tracks.
Rail transport is one of the oldest means of transportation which uses rail systems for the
transport of passengers and goods. It includes passenger trains, freight trains, rapid transit etc.

RAIL TRANSPORT

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
1. Environmental friendly Lack of flexibility
2. Covers large areas No door to door services
3. Cost effective Huge capital outlay
4. Capable of heavy loads Unsuitable for short distance and small
loads.
5. Trains are fast and reliable Contributor of sound and air pollution
 3. WATER TRANSPORTATION- is mainly the movement of people, goods (freight) by boat, ship,
barge, sailboat across ocean, sea, lake, canal, river etc.
Water transportation is most cost effective method of moving large perishable and heavy
products across long distances. These are the least expensive, most seasonal method of
transport.

TYPES OF WATER TRANSPORTATION

i. Surface vessels
ii. Submarine
iii. Boat
iv. Ship
v. Cargo
vi. Ferry
vii. Canoes etc
WATER TRANSPORTATION

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
1. Best transport for heavy goods Not suitable for perishable
goods
2. More flexible service Affected by weather condition
3. Cheapest form of Slow speed
transportation
4. Less traffic congestion Not suitable for short distance
5. Less pollution to the Suffers from seasonal
environment difficulties such as storm, cold
etc.

AIR TRANSPORTATION- is the fastest and easiest way to move people or goods by aircraft such as
airplanes. Air transport is also the activity that allows the transfer of people merchandise and mail in
aircraft. Air transportation facilitates integration into the global economy and provides vital connectivity
or a natural, regional and international scale.

Air transport is an important enabler towards achieving economic growth and development. It helps
generate trade, promote tourism and create employment opportunities.

TYPES OF AIR TRANSPORTATION

1. Aircraft
2. Helicopters
3. Hot air balloons
4. Blimps
5. Gliders
6. Jet etc.
 AIR TRANSPOTATION
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
1. Fast speed Costly service
2. Rapid service Limited capacity
3. No physical barriers Accident prone
4. Low infrastructure Undependable and risky
5. Defense service Requires skill

PIPELINE TRANSPORTATION- this is a method of transportation that involves the use of hollow pipes in
the movement of solid, liquid or gaseous products over long distance. This mode of transportation is
mostly used for transport of crude and refined petroleum products such as oil, natural gas, water etc
typically to a market area for consumption.

Pipeline transportation is safer and cheaper than using tankers or trailers in the transportation of these
liquids.

TYPES OF PIPELINE TRANSPORTATION

1. Oil and gas pipelines

2. Slurry pipelines
3. Water and sewer pipelines
4. Beer pipelines
5. Hydrogen pipeline etc.

PIPELINE TRANSPORTATION
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
1. Cost effective Environmental hazard
2. Safe, fast and secured Risk of explosion
3. Efficient and reliable Costly repairs
4. Lower energy use Land acquisition
5. Reduced transportation cost It is not flexible

ADVANTAGES OF AIR TRANSPORT OVER RAIL TRANSPORT

1. Air transport is convenience to travel than rail transport.

2. Better services offered by airlines than railways.
3. Flights are less delayed as compared to railways.
4. Air traffic movement is far smoother than railways.
5. Airports have more facilities than railways.
 FACTORS THAT DETERMINE THE CHOICE OF TRANSPORT

1. Nature of goods- rail transport is most suitable for carrying cheap, bulky and heavy goods.
Perishable goods require quick delivery may be carried through motor transport or air transport,
keeping in mind the cost and distance.
2. Speed – perishable products need to reach consumer quickly. Air transport is the quickest mode
of transport but it is very expensive. Motor transport is quicker than railways over short
distance.
3. Handling- sometimes goods are rough handled while transporting them. You need to select a
particular mode of transport to be sure your product can withstand it.
4. Cost of service- the cost of transportation adds to the cost of goods. Rail transport is cheaper
mode for carrying heavy loads over long distances e.g trains.
5. Safety- safety and security of goods in transit also influence the choice of a suitable means of
transport. Motor transport losses are less than railways.