Chapter # 6 – Economic Development

6.3 Transport and Communication

6.3.1 Describe the Modes of Transport used in Pakistan i.e. Land, Air, and Water.

Background
In ancient societies, humans relied on manual labor to transport goods and themselves between locations, without the aid of any mechanical means. Over time, humans began to domesticate animals such as horses, bullocks, and donkeys, utilizing them as modes of transportation. Concurrently, humans developed the knowledge and skills necessary to construct boats and ships, facilitating travel and the movement of goods across bodies of water.

Subsequently, the invention of the wheel marked a significant advancement, leading to the creation and utilization of wooden carts and other wheeled vehicles. By the end of the 18th century, the invention of the steam engine revolutionized transportation, heralding the era of trains and steam-powered vehicles, greatly enhancing the speed and efficiency of travel.

This progress continued with the subsequent discovery and utilization of fossil fuels, particularly petroleum and its derivatives. Today, petroleum and petroleum products serve as the primary sources of fuel for various modes of modern transportation, further advancing the ease and speed of travel on a global scale.

What does the term ‘Transport’ refer to?

The term ‘transport’ refers to the act or process of moving people, goods, or materials from one place to another using various modes such as vehicles, vessels, or conveyance systems.

Modes of transport

Transport is commonly classified into three primary modes: land transport, water transport, and air transport.

Land Transport.

Land transport, an important mode of transportation, encompasses all vehicles that traverse over land, including rickshaws, cars, motorcycles, buses, trains, and more. It can be further categorized into two primary types: road transport and railways.

Road transport

Road transport contains all vehicles that operate on roads, such as cars, trucks, buses, motorcycles, and more. Roads play a pivotal role in facilitating this mode of transportation. The expansion and improvement of road networks, including highways, motorways, expressways, inter-city roads, and local link roads, contribute to meeting the travel requirements and transportation of goods efficiently. Nations with well-developed road infrastructures are often regarded as having effective road transport systems.

Rail transport

Rail transport, the second category of land transportation, is a widely utilized mode of travel in both developed and developing countries worldwide. distinguished from other forms of transportation by its operation on rails laid on tracks, trains have undergone significant evolution. Initially, wooden rails were employed, which were subsequently replaced by metal rails. Similarly, trains have advanced from steam-powered locomotives to diesel and electric high-speed trains. In developed nations, diesel engines have been supplanted by numerous high-speed electric bullet trains.

Air Transport
Air transport encompasses all human-made vehicles and conveyances utilized for travel and the transportation of goods through the air. Examples of air transport include passenger airplanes, helicopters, parachutes, gliders, and jet fighters. Among states, air transport is renowned as the most popular mode of passenger traffic due to its speed and comfort.

Water Transport

Water transport comprises all human-made vessels and structures designed to operate on bodies of water, including rivers, seas, oceans, lakes, and more. It is categorized into two main types: sea transport and inland water transport. Sea transport is primarily utilized for international trade, with ships transporting large quantities of non-perishable goods between countries. Inland water transport pertains to the transportation methods used on rivers, canals, and lakes, and includes boats and other vessels.