2. Transport and communications Transport and communications are very important to the growth and development of a society. Transport refers to the movement of people and goods from one place to another. Varies modes of transport such as cars and airplanes are used to bring about or facilitate this movement. Mode of transport refers to the means by which people travel from one place to another. Communications refers to the flow of ideas or information from one person or place to another. Various means such as books, telephones and computers are used to transmit the ideas or information which can be in the form of pictures, graphics, sound or text.
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4. Modes of Transport(2) Air Transport Air transport involves the movement of carriers such as airplanes and helicopters in the air. Just as in ocean shipping, airplanes follow fixed paths on the transport map although these routes are not physical.Air transport is the fastest among sea and land. However traveling by air is expensive over any distances and it can only be used to moving people and high value goods. Rail Transport Rail transport involves the movement of trains along railway lines. This type of transport is a very convenient way of moving large numbers of people and large bulky goods. However, rail transport is very expensive over short distances and is very expensive to build railway lines and railway stations. With technological advancement, places like Shanghai has a new Maglev train which move up to 440 km per hour, allowing transport to be more efficient and convenient.
5. Modes of Transport(3) Road Road transport involves the movement of vehicles such as cars, buses and lorries along roads. It is suitable for moving people and high-value goods. John McAdam designed the first modern highway of inexpensive paving material of soil and stone aggregate known as macadam during the Industrial Revolution. Water Inland water transport involves the movement of carriers such as boats, barges and ships in canals and rivers. Ocean shipping involves the movement of carriers such as ships in the seas and oceans. The first craft were probably types of canoes cut out from tree trunks. Although slow, modern sea transport is a highly effective method of transporting large quantities of non-perishable goods. Transport by water is significantly less costly than air transport for trans-continental shipping; short sea shipping and ferries remain viable in coastal areas.