MODES OF TRANSPORT
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- AIRLINES
Air lines are the fastest terminal to terminal mode of transportation. They specialize in time sensitive movement of documents, perishable items, medical supplies etc. airlines transport small volume shipments and are very cost effective and time saving. They are also the preferred mode for travel passengers. Their services are rarely disrupted mostly due to bad weather conditions.
- MOTOR CARRIERS
They are the most flexible mode of transportation. They provide direct service from shippers to final consumers. They are the second fastest mode of transportation with additional advantage of door to door flexibility and wide coverage. As their trailers can vary in size and can control their temperatures. They can carry almost everything. Their rates are high as compared to other modes of transportation but must less than air. Â Their problem arises when they have to face bad weather or traffic congestion as they cause an indefinite delay of delivery.
- PIPELINES
Pipelines are a unique mode of transportation. They are fixed in place and the product moves through them. Tons and tons of products in liquid or gaseous state are transported through this method. As the pipeline provide continuous flow of products the materials provided through pipeline reaches destination quickly and keeps flowing continuously. Pipeline delivery is most dependable and remains unaffected by weather changes. This mode of transportation is expensive initially as building cost is high but once constructed does not really need running expenses. Hence in the long run it is very cost effective.
- RAILROADS
Rail road transport a significant amount of domestic freight they carry high density low valued freight over long distances across the country at rates lower than air and road but more than water and pipeline. They carry anything from coal and stones to grains and automobiles. Railroads have excellent networks and can handle a variety of goods, but lack excellence due to sub standards infrastructure and unreliable equipment. Due to competition from other modes of transport the rails are trying to improve customer service.
- WATER CARRIERS
Water carriers dominate the international transportation because of their cost structure and their ability to transfer large volumes. They transport various commodities and their products range from ores and grains to Christmas toys. They also haul liquid products and crude oil, because of this they have a variety of ships to carter to their needs. Standardized containers are loaded ans shipped to different destinations. Water carriers compete with railroads on certain routes and pipelines for the movement of liguid and gaseous products, but they are relitavely slow, unreliable and highly dependent on weather conditions.
Water carriers can be divided into 2 broad categories namely:
1. LINERS
2. TRAMPS
1. LINERS
As the liners sail at a specific time they are not always filled to capacity, but because of their schedule timings they are more reliable and they reach their destinations on time.
2. TRAMPS
The tramps sail only when they reach full capacity, hence their departure time varies calling for un necessary delays. They are more popular when delivery time is not critical.
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