3. Role of transportation in society

Transportation is a non separable part of any society. It exhibits a very close relation to the style of life, the range and location of activities and the goods and services which will be available for consumption. Advances in transportation have made possible changes in the way of living and the way in which societies are organized and therefore have a great influence in the development of civilizations. This chapter conveys an understanding of the importance of transportation in the modern society by presenting selected characteristics of existing transportation systems, their use and relationships to other human activities. Transportation is responsible for the development of civilizations from very old times by meeting travel requirement of people and transport requirement of goods. Such movement has changed the way people live and travel. In developed and developing nations, a large fraction of people travel daily for work, shopping and social reasons. But transport also consumes a lot of resources like time, fuel, materials and land.

Transportation is essential for the functioning and development of society. It influences how people live and the variety of goods and services available to them. When transportation improves, it can change lifestyles and how communities are organized. Historically, transportation has been crucial in allowing people and goods to move, which has directly shaped civilizations. In modern times, many people rely on transportation for daily activities like commuting for jobs, shopping, and socializing. However, this also requires resources, including time, money, and land use.

Think about a bustling city like New York. The subway system allows millions to commute quickly. This not only makes it easier for people to get to work but also supports local businesses that depend on foot traffic and quick access to stores. Without efficient transportation, the city would struggle to function effectively.

Economics involves production, distribution and consumption of goods and services. People depend upon the natural resources to satisfy the needs of life but due to non uniform surface of earth and due to difference in local resources, there is a lot of difference in standard of living in different societies. So there is an immense requirement of transport of resources from one particular society to other. These resources can range from material things to knowledge and skills like movement of doctors and technicians to the places where there is need of them.

The economic role of transportation is crucial because it enables the flow of goods and services. Due to the uneven distribution of natural resources across different regions, it is important for societies to transport materials and services from one area to another. This not only includes goods, such as food and manufactured items but also services like healthcare. Thus, transportation plays a significant role in determining the economic status and quality of life within different communities.

Consider two towns: one is rich in agricultural produce, while the other has none. Transportation allows the first town to supply food to the second, improving the latter's economy. If health professionals from urban centers can travel to rural communities by vehicle, people can receive essential healthcare that they might otherwise lack.

An example is given to evaluate the relationship between place, time and cost of a particular commodity. If a commodity is produced at point A and wanted by people of another community at any point B distant x from A, then the price of the commodity is dependent on the distance between two centers and the system of transportation between two points. With improved system the commodity will be made less costly at B.

The cost of transporting goods is directly related to the distance between the production site and the consumer. If a product is made far away from where it is needed, transportation costs can make it more expensive. However, advancements in transportation, like better roads or faster delivery methods, can reduce these costs, making the product more affordable for consumers.

Imagine buying a fruit that grows in a distant state. If it can be shipped efficiently and quickly via improved highways, the price of that fruit will be lower by the time it reaches your local supermarket. But if there are no good roads, the transportation costs may cause the price to spike, making it less accessible.

The reduction of cost of transport does not have same effect on all locations. Let at any point B the commodity is to be consumed. This product is supplied by two stations A and K which are at two different distances from B. Let at present the commodity is supplied by A since it is at a lesser distance but afterwards due to improvement in road network between B and K, the point K becomes the supply point of product.

Improvements in transportation infrastructure can change where a good is sourced. If a product is delivered from station A because it is closer, a new road or rail might make station K more accessible in the future. This shift alters the dynamics of supply and can affect prices and availability in surrounding communities.

Think about how a farmer might sell vegetables to a nearby market. If a new highway opens up that connects the farmer to a distant city, suddenly the city market could become the best place for the farmer to sell, offering better prices due to higher demand. This change can help both the farmer and the city consumers.

Transport extends the range of sources of supply of goods to be consumed in an area, making it possible for user to get resources at cheap price and high quality. The use of more efficient systems of supply results in an increase in the total amount of goods available for consumption. Since the supply of goods is no longer dependent on the type of mode, items can be supplied by some alternative resources if usual source cannot supply what is needed.

Transportation broadens the scope of where and how goods are sourced, improving access to quality products at lower prices. With better systems and networks, it becomes straightforward to find alternatives if one source cannot meet demand, ensuring that consumers have continuous access to necessary items.

Think about online grocery shopping. With efficient delivery services, you can order fresh produce from farms far away, which may offer better quality options than your local store. If one supplier runs out, another can quickly be sourced to fulfill your order, ensuring that you always have access to what you need.

Transportation has always played an important role in influencing the formation of urban societies. Although other facilities like availability of food and water, played a major role, the contribution of transportation can be seen clearly from the formation, size and pattern, and the development of societies, especially urban centers.

Transportation significantly impacts the layout and development of cities. While food and water are essential for survival, the ease of transportation shapes how urban areas grow and function. Efficient transport links connect different parts of a city, influencing where people live, work, and shop.

Consider a city like Los Angeles, known for its highways. The transport network has influenced how neighborhoods developed around these roadways, leading to sprawling suburbs and commercial centers that depend on accessibility for daily commuting.

From the beginning of civilization, man is living in settlements which existed near banks of major river junctions, a port, or an intersection of trade routes. Cities like New York, Mumbai and Moscow are good examples.

Historically, human settlements have formed near key transportation routes such as rivers and ports. These natural features facilitated trade and resource access, which led to the growth of cities. Modern examples illustrate this pattern, as many major cities developed at significant logistical junctures.

Think about how New York City grew around its harbor. The accessibility of water transport allowed goods to flow in and out easily, leading to economic growth and urban expansion, making it one of the most significant cities globally.

The initial settlements were relatively small developments but with due course of time, they grew in population and developed into big cities and major trade centers. The size of settlements is not only limited by the size of the area by which the settlement can obtain food and other necessities, but also by considerations of personal travels especially the journey to and from work. The increased speed of transport and reduction in the cost of transport have resulted in variety of spatial patterns.

Over time, settlements evolve from small communities into larger urban centers as transportation enables quicker movement and reduces costs. The spatial layout of these areas changes too, creating diverse patterns of development that affect where people live and work.

For instance, think about how cities like Tokyo have expanded. With a vast and efficient transport network like subways, people can live further from their jobs, contributing to a sprawling urban environment where different zones such as residential areas and business districts are strategically distributed.

When the cities grow beyond normal walking distance, then transportation technology plays a role in the formation of the city. For example, many cities in the plains developed as a circular city with radial routes, whereas the cities beside a river developed linearly. The development of automobiles, and other factors like increase in personal income, and construction of paved road network, the settlements were transformed into urban centers of intense travel activity.

As cities expand beyond walking distances, the type of transportation available influences their design. Urban areas have been shaped by how easy it is to travel by car or public transport, leading to various designs based on natural features like rivers or plains.

Take a look at Chicago. The city was designed with both radial streets from its center and avenues that stretch outward. This allowed for high automobile reliance, creating a sprawling metropolis that supports both residential and commercial activities efficiently.

--