Running head: CLASSIFICATION OF TYPES OF TRANSPORT

Classification of Types of Transport

Student’s Name

University Affiliation
Classification of Types of Transport
2
Abstract

In the current world, transportation has become an essential part of our everyday life. To

achieve basic human needs i.e. food, shelter, and clothing transport, has to play a part. If there

were perhaps no transport systems, how would travel be achieved or how would goods and

services be transported? Since ancient times, transport has continuously provided the means for

continuous exploration. The ongoing discoveries of new places occur as a result of efficient

transport. It is safe to conclude that if nothing moves through transportation, nothing will occur

in our lives. Since the discovery of the wheel in 3000 BC, several developments have been

achieved. This article will seek to explain and classify the transportation designs that have

changed incredibly since the wheel. Based on their places, types of transport can be classified

into three groups which are land, ocean, and air transport.

 Land transport.

The movement of people and goods by land vehicles is known as land or surface

transport. In ancient times before discovery of power, engines, walking and pack animals such as

donkeys, camels, horses, mules, and elephants were used to ferry small loads and people across

short and long distances. Their efficiency to reach areas of even and rough terrains plays an

important role even in the modern world. Generally, the ability to access areas where little or no

modern transport have been developed, pack animals efficiently provide cheap and safe

transport. With the development of the wheel, bullock carts have become a predominant form of

rural road transport in developing countries. This has increased cargo capacity and made work

easier through machines. However, the use of pack animals and carts is slow and time-

consuming, affecting its application over long distances and the movement of perishable goods.
Classification of Types of Transport
3
From the dawn of modern civilization, man has actively pursued ways to build roads and

use advanced wheeled vehicles to facilitate the movement of man and goods. The revolutionary

invention of powered engines has fueled road transport by introducing the element of speed,

distance, and increased cargo capacity in using private cars and commercial transport services

using lorries and buses (Bell et al., 2010). The use of petrol and diesel engines have improved

efficiency, cost, and make a strong competitive case for road transport. However, environmental

pollution is affecting the long term sustainability of fossil fuels encouraging development of

electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles (Bell et al., 2010).

The invention of the steam engine by James Watt significantly impacted the direction and

speed of global transport. Rail transport is considered the most organized and safest mode of

transport in the world. The ease and relatively cheap cost of carrying heavy goods over long

distances has led to incredible developments in the railway network across the globe. From the

steam engine, developments in rail technology have integrated diesel and electricity-powered

trains that are faster and cheaper to operate. However, the cost implication is higher due to the

capital required to lay tracks, bridges, mountain tunnels, and purchase of the locomotives.

 Water transport.

The saying water is life is a conclusion of the important role of water as a free gift of

nature offers to human existence. Throughout the road of human civilization, the use of

technology has allowed man to utilize water resources for economic, political, and military

purposes. Water transport involves using boats, barges, ships, submarines, and sail-boats over

inland water-ways such as rivers, canals and lakes, seas, and oceans. Ocean transport is efficient

for human transport using liners that offer special defined routes, luxury, and regular services.
Classification of Types of Transport
4
Commercially water transport is efficient for transportation of bulk cargo. Tramps are basically

cargo vessels that carry out both coastal and overseas shipping. Unlike the ocean liners, tramps

do not have to follow specific routes and do not offer timetable regulated services. Due to the

costs involved, tramps sail when the cargo is sufficient and deemed financially feasible to

transport (Wessel, 2019). The major strength of these transport vessels is the ability to carry

cargo for any port terminal in the world. The unregulated travel timetable also means that these

can travel at any time. The major types of commercial ships used in ocean and sea transport

include general cargo ships, bulk carriers, container ships, auto carriers, tankers, fishing vessels,

oil vessels, passenger ships, ferries, tow and tug boats, and specialized ships. However, inland

and ocean transport is the slowest means of transport compared to other means. Moreover,

seasons change and flooding or receding water levels occurs challenging the certainty of using

inland transport systems.

 Air transport.

Air transport is the fastest but most expensive type of transport. For human travel,

commercial air transport has been embraced as the most prominent mode of international travel.

The air transport industry has seen remarkable development since the invention of the first

airplane by the Wright brothers. This form of travel uses vehicles that can sustain flight. These

include the use of helicopters, hot air balloons, blimps, gliders, hang gliders, parachutes,

airplanes, and recently the use of drones. Air travel can be divided into two classifications based

on the geographical reach of the flight. Flights within the same country are called domestic

flights, while those reaching different counties are called international flights. Using these two

classifications, travelers can opt to use private or public means of air travel. Air transport’s main

strength lies in efficiency, regular, and quick service. This makes it ideal for comfortable travel
Classification of Types of Transport
5
and transport of perishable goods. However, air transport is challenged by high costs and

external factors such as political and legal regulations that are beyond reach for ordinary people

(Wessel, 2019).

References.

Bell, M., Hosseinloo,S. & Kanturska, U. (2010). Security and environmental sustainability of

multimodal transport. Springer.

Wessel, J. (2019). Evaluating the transport-mode-specific trade effects in different transport

infrastructure types. Transport Policy, 78, 42-57. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tranpol.2019.04.002