The Geography of Transport Systems The spatial organization of transportation and mobility

Contents
›
Chapter 10 –
Evolution of Transport Challenges for Transport
Geography
›
10.4 – Future
Technology since the 18th Transportation Systems
›
Evolution of Transport
Century Technology since the 18th Century
 Evolution of Transport Technology since the 18th Century
The Geography of Transport
Since the 18th century, mechanization allowed each transportation mode to Systems

experience an evolution in motive methods and vehicles. New engine FIFTH EDITION

technologies offer the ability to be used across several modes with specific Jean-Paul Rodrigue (2020), New
York: Routledge, 456 pages. ISBN
adaptations. The first most meaningful innovation was the steam engine that
978-0-367-36463-2
improved the performance of the maritime and railway modes from the end of
the 18th century and into the 19th century. The bulk of a steam engine made it
doi.org/10.4324/9780429346323
impractical to be applied to road transportation.
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The internal combustion engine (ICE) in the late 19th century brought the large-
scale mechanization of transportation modes, especially road transport. It was
followed by the diffusion of cars, buses, and trucks supported by the
construction of vast highway networks. For rail, diesel locomotives replaced TABLE OF CONTENTS
steam engines, improving power and range. However, the development of
high-speed rail (HSR) relied on the electric motor due to its capacity to 1. Transportation and
generate a velocity that an internal combustion engine would be unable to. Geography
2. Transportation and Spatial
For air transport, the internal combustion engine (piston engine) allowed Structure
heavier planes and the emergence of the first commercial services in the 1920s. 3. Transportation, Economy
Innovations in air propulsion lead to jet planes that could quickly transport a and Society
large number of passengers over long distances. Then, wide-body jets (such as 4. Transport, Energy and
the B747) enabled to improve further the scale at which air transportation Environment
could carry passengers and freight. 5. Transportation Modes
6. Transportation Terminals
The technological evolution of maritime transportation impacted more 7. Trade, Logistics and Freight
substantially conveyances than their speed, particularly their economies of Distribution
scale. Metallic hulls and fuel propulsion enabled the growth of ship size as 8. Urban Transportation

well as their specialization (oil, freight, containers). The introduction of the 9. Transport Planning and

containership in the 1970s allowed a versatile cargo carrier that continuously Policy
10. Challenges for Transport
benefited from economies of scale and supported the rapid development of
Geography
the global economy.
A. Methods in Transport
Geography
In the 21st century, the automation of transport systems is unfolding, including
B. Applications and Case
its terminals. This improves their reliability and performance while reducing
Studies
their operating costs. Self-driving vehicles and drones are starting to be
introduced.
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Participation level in global
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value chains (new)
Cross-docking distribution
center (update)
EDITOR
Types of freight facilities
(update)
Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Professor
of Geography at Hofstra University.
 His research interests cover
transportation and economics as
they relate to logistics and global

freight distribution. Specific topics

include maritime transport
systems, global supply chains,
gateways and transport corridors.

Copyright © 1998-2022, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University, New York, USA.