Page 193 - DMGT546_INTERNATIONAL_TRADE_PROCEDURE_AND_DOCUMENTATION

International Trade Procedures and Documentation

Notes Intermodal passenger transport involves more than one mode of transport of passengers. Some
modes of transportation have always been intermodal. A major goal of modern intermodal
passenger transport, at least in developed countries, is to reduce dependence on the automobile
as the major mode of ground transportation and increase use of public transport. Intermodal
freight transport involves the transportation of freight in an intermodal container or vehicle,
using multiple modes of transportation (rail, ship, and truck), without any handling of the
freight itself when changing modes. The method reduces cargo handling, and so improves
security, reduces damage and loss, and allows freight to be transported faster. The modes of
transport which can be used for the movement of:

1. Passengers, Livestock and Goods are:
(a) Rail: Rail transportation is typically used for long-distances. Though it is less expensive
than air transportation, it also takes more time to reach a destination. Transport by
rail has been a major factor in allowing the centralization of the industry and in
opening new markets. Also, Rail transport is ideal for heavy goods and has a wide
range of applications.
(b) Road: This is the most widely used means of transportation for passengers and is
generally used in case of intercity travelling. In case of livestock, herding by road
was the only form of transport available in the not-too-distant past, and it is still the
main method of moving cattle on the farm, and often from farm to farm. Also in case
of transportation of goods it is the most commonly used method in practice today.
The numbers are getting smaller as more and more companies export but it is still
the most used mode of transport by a wide margin.
(c) Air: Air transportation offers the advantage of speed to passengers and is to be used
for long-distance transport. For livestock air usually costs more than by sea. However,
air transportation is fast. Also, because shipping by air is fast, animals may not have
to endure as much stress as when travelling by sea. Similarly for goods air freighting
is commonly used by companies who work with short lead times, or advanced
service levels. Shipping by air certainly isn’t the cheapest alternative, and is only
advisable for certain size/weighted products.
(d) Water: Shipping by sea opens up some areas that do not have airports with animal
handling facilities, and the cost per head is usually lower. Ships also can handle
larger numbers of animals than aircraft. However, sea transportation is relatively
slow; and requires additional expenses for food, water, bedding and medical supplies.
For Goods sea transportation is usually used by companies who ship a large amount
of goods at once, with longer lead times. This mode of transport is the longest, yet
is ideal for bulk shipments such as coal and minerals.

Task Study the transportation modes of a particular company of your choice.

8.5 Significance of Transportation Services

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 has made possible changes in the way of living and
the way in which societies are organised and therefore have a great influence in the development
of civilisations. This unit 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.

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