Components of Transportation System

Transportation is defined as the movement of people, animals, goods and services from
one place to another. Modes, infrastructures, networks and forms are the essential components
needed for a transportation to take place.

Modes of transport are the means by which people and freight achieve mobility. Some
modes are designed to carry only passengers or freight, while others can carry both. They fall
into basic types depending on what surface they travel. Modes of transport are through air, land,
water and other modes such as pipeline, cable and space. Each mode is characterized by a set
of technical, operational and commercial characteristics. Each mode has its own advantages
and disadvantages, and will be chosen for a trip on the basis of cost, capability and route,

Infrastructures refer to the physical support of transport modes, where route such as rail
tracks, canals or highways, and terminals such as ports are the most significant component. A
port is usually regarded as a terminal for ships, but in fact it is also a terminal for trains, roads,
pipelines and aircraft. Nearly every journey involves junctions where we can transfer from one
form of transport to another.

Networks refer to the system of linked locations that are used to represent the functional
and spatial organization of transportation. It indicates which locations are serviced and how they
are serviced. Within a network some locations are more accessible (more connections) than
others (less connections).

Flows refer to the movements of people, freight and information over their respective
networks. Flows have origins, intermediary locations and destinations. An intermediary location
is often required to go from an origin to a destination. For instance, flying from one airport to
another may require a transit at hub airport.