Mumbai University > Civil Engineering > Sem 5 > Transportation Engineering 1

Marks: 5M

Year: Dec 2014

Role of transportation is an essential accessory of development of nation for the following purposes:

1. Easy and quick transportation of machines, animals, materials, and goods can be made.
2. Areas which are connected by proper means of transport can be developed fast.
3. Remote areas and rural areas becomes accessible and communicable if connected by proper means of transport.
4. During the days of emergency e.g. wars, efficient and developed transportation system plays a vital role for quick and easy transportation of soldiers, food and ammunition.
5. Transportation through airways also plays an important role of communication to the people staying in remote areas and also helps the people in difficulties during floods. e.g. Helicopters can help the people at the time of floods.

Modes of transportation:

Modes of transportation system are roads, railways, airways and waterways.

Characteristics of roads:-

1. For proper interior development of the different areas of nation or country, an efficient well planned network of roads connecting to all cities, town and villages is essential.
2. It is very convenient for passenger and small goods transport.
3. Small vehicles can be driven on roads for personalized transport.

Characteristics of railways:-

1. Railway transport is now a days, the life line of the nation and more essential for mass transportation of men and materials for long distances.
2. The part on which the railways actually moves consists of steel rails, wooden or pre-cast concrete sleepers, ballast and sub-grade.
3. Railway is commonly termed as permanent way for transportation means.

Characteristics of airways:-

1. Air transportation possesses a few distinct advantages as compared to other modes of transport. These are:

   (i) Rapidity: Air transport maintains the highest speed than other modes of transport.

   (ii) Continuous journey: The mode of journey is continuous without any disturbances as on land and water.

   (iii) Accessibility: Air transport has the ability to approach any region that is inaccessible by other means of transport.

Characteristics of waterways:-

1. Waterways is the cheapest mode of transport.
2. It is suitable for transporting very heavy materials like oil, steel, food, grains, timber etc.
3. It can carry very heavy goods over a long distance.