This entry presents a comparative analysis of different modes of transport i.e. road, water, land, and air transport. Before embarking on the advantages and disadvantages of different modes of transport, we address the question, “what does the term ‘transport’ refer to.
What is transport?
Transport refers to such means through which we travel or carry goods from one place to another place. Some of the examples of transport are cars, airplanes, trains, boats, etc. Transport is categorized into three main modes i.e. land, air, and water transport. Land transport is further categorized into railways and road transport.
What are the advantage and disadvantages of different modes of transport?
The advantages and disadvantages of different modes of transport are discussed in a tabular form as given below.
| Road Transport |
Advantages
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Disadvantages
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- Road transport is comparatively a cheaper and affordable mode of transport for poor and middle-class people.
- It is suitable for short-distance travel or transportation of goods.
- It makes almost all places with varied topography accessible.
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- Road transport is a comparatively slower mode of transport over long distances. For example, it takes more than 18 hours to reach Karachi by road from Islamabad whereas it takes 2 hours for the same travel by air.
- It is not suitable for the transport of fragile, perishable, and light goods or such commodities and things that are required on an emergency basis.
- Road transport over a long distance can be tiresome and cause exhaustion.
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Train transport
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Advantages
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Disadvantages
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- Rail transport is suitable for the carriage of goods in bulk and a huge number of passengers at a time.
- It carries a comparatively larger capacity for both passengers and freight traffic.
- It also a comparatively cheaper mode of transport.
- It becomes a quicker and very fast mode of transport over long distances.
- Railways are all-weather transport. snowfall or rain does not disturb the movement of trains easily like that of road, air and water transport.
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- Trains involve large maintenance and construction expenses vis a vis road and other means of transport. Maintaining the machinery, rails and other forms of infrastructure involves huge investment.
- It is comparatively less flexible in terms of route and time adjustment in times of emergency.
- This mode of transport is not suitable for short distances and the carriage of small loads.
- Railways are non-existent in mountainous areas such as Gilgit-Baltistan, Chitral, highlands of Balochistan, and KPK. difficult to lay railway lines in the mountains.
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| Air transport |
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Advantages
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Disadvantages
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- Air transport is the speediest and quickest mode of transport among all types of transport.
- It is a more comfortable means of transport. It is also suitable for the transport of light, fragile, expensive, and perishable goods or such goods which are needed on an emergency basis such as medicines.
- This mode of transport is also suitable for moving patients to cities over long distances for treatment etc.
- It is used for the improvement of security and defense suitable for rescue purposes.
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- Air transport is an expensive mode of transport. Not all people can afford to travel by air due to high travel fares.
- It possesses greater chances of accidents thus carrying more risk comparatively.
- It is unreliable – flights are subjected to weather conditions
- This mode of transport involves a large investment for the construction and maintenance of infrastructure and employment of trained and experienced staff.
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| Water transport |
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Advantages
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Disadvantages
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- Water transport is a comparatively cheaper mode of transport
- It is most suitable for the transport of heavy and bulky goods.
- It is suitable for international trade.
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- Water Transport is a water-bound mode of transport.
- Flights are subjected to weather conditions.
- Comparatively, it is a slow mode of transport
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