Transportation ways and connectivity around the globe
B.5] Transportation Ways and Connectivity Around the Globe
1. Road Transport
1.1 Overview
- Definition: Movement of goods and people on roads using vehicles such as cars, buses, trucks, and motorcycles.
- Key Features: Flexible, point-to-point, economical for short distances, and supports local and regional trade.
1.2 Major Road Networks
| Country | Major Road Network | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| India | National Highways (NH) | 80,000 km, connects major cities and states |
| USA | Interstate Highway System | 46,000 miles, built post-WWII, facilitates long-distance travel |
| China | National Trunk Highway System (NTHS) | 140,000 km, supports economic integration |
1.3 Key Facts for Exams
- National Highways Act, 1956: Established NH system in India.
- Golden Quadrilateral: A 5,846 km highway connecting Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata.
- Smart Motorways: Introduced in India under PM Narendra Modi to reduce traffic congestion.
1.4 Comparison: Road vs. Rail
| Feature | Road Transport | Rail Transport |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | Variable | Generally faster for long distances |
| Cost | Lower for short distances | Lower for long distances |
| Capacity | Limited | Higher |
| Environmental Impact | Higher | Lower (per tonne-km) |
2. Rail Transport
2.1 Overview
- Definition: Movement of goods and passengers via rail tracks using locomotives and wagons.
- Key Features: Efficient for bulk cargo, supports long-distance travel, and has lower environmental impact.
2.2 Major Rail Networks
| Country | Major Rail Network | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| India | Indian Railways | 63,000 km, largest rail network in Asia |
| USA | Transcontinental Railroad | Completed in 1869, connected east and west coasts |
| China | China Railway | 141,000 km, includes high-speed rail lines |
2.3 Key Facts for Exams
- Indian Railways: Established in 1853, connects 80% of India’s population.
- Golden Quadrilateral (Rail): A 10,000 km rail network connecting major cities.
- High-Speed Rail: China’s CRH (China Railway High-speed) operates at speeds up to 350 km/h.
2.4 Comparison: Rail vs. Road
| Feature | Rail Transport | Road Transport |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | Generally faster for long distances | Variable |
| Cost | Lower for long distances | Lower for short distances |
| Capacity | Higher | Limited |
| Environmental Impact | Lower (per tonne-km) | Higher |
3. Water Transport (Shipping)
3.1 Overview
- Definition: Movement of goods and passengers via waterways using ships, boats, and ferries.
- Key Features: Economical for bulk cargo, supports international trade, and has low environmental impact.
3.2 Major Waterways
| Country | Major Waterway | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| India | Ganga River | 1,569 km, major inland waterway |
| USA | Mississippi-Missouri River System | 3,600 km, supports commercial shipping |
| China | Yangtze River | 6,300 km, largest inland waterway in the world |
3.3 Key Facts for Exams
- National Waterway (NW) 1: Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly River System (1,569 km)
- National Waterway (NW) 2: Brahmaputra River (912 km)
- Suez Canal: Completed in 1869, connects Mediterranean and Red Seas, reduces travel time by 4 days.
- Panama Canal: Completed in 1914, connects Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, facilitates global trade.
3.4 Comparison: Water vs. Road/Rail
| Feature | Water Transport | Road/Rail |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | Slower | Faster |
| Cost | Lower for bulk cargo | Higher for long distances |
| Capacity | Very high | Moderate |
| Environmental Impact | Lowest | Higher |
4. Air Transport
4.1 Overview
- Definition: Movement of people and goods via air using aircraft.
- Key Features: Fastest mode, supports international travel and global trade, but expensive.
4.2 Major Airports and Networks
| Country | Major Airport | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| India | Indira Gandhi International Airport (Delhi) | 1st busiest airport in India |
| USA | Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport | 1st busiest airport in the world |
| China | Beijing Capital International Airport | 2nd busiest airport in the world |
4.3 Key Facts for Exams
- Jet Age: Began in the 1950s with the introduction of jet aircraft.
- Air India: Established in 1932, one of the oldest airlines in Asia.
- International Air Transport Association (IATA): Founded in 1945, regulates global air transport.
- Doha Metro: World’s longest metro system, 31.4 km, connects Doha International Airport with city center.
4.4 Comparison: Air vs. Other Modes
| Feature | Air Transport | Road/Rail/Water |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | Fastest | Slower |
| Cost | Highest | Lower |
| Capacity | Limited | Higher |
| Environmental Impact | Highest | Lower |
5. Summary Table: Transportation Modes
| Mode | Speed | Cost | Capacity | Environmental Impact | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Road | Variable | Low (short) | Limited | High | Short distances, local trade |
| Rail | Fast (long) | Low (long) | High | Low | Bulk cargo, long distances |
| Water | Slow | Low (bulk) | Very high | Lowest | International trade, bulk goods |
| Air | Fastest | Highest | Limited | Highest | International travel, urgent cargo |
BETA
