The Transport Revolution

Jeremiah Ho, Liu Mengxi, Low Jin Siang

1

Contents

• Introduction to transport

• History of transport

• Modern-day transport

• A comparison – past and present

• Futuristic transport – solutions to current problems

2

The Transport Revolution

• It happened during the 18th-19th century.

• There were drastic changes to the transport sector, transport services were improved, as well as the costs of transport.

Origins

• There is a reason for every revolution

• There are two causes of the transport revolution, which played a significant role in economic development by contributing to both globalization and industrialization.

4

Technological Change

• Technology brought about the transport revolution.

• At about the same period of time, industrial revolution also happened. It was the time that major sectors of our life changed.

5

• In industrial revolution, machines could do the tasks which were performed by human. This increased the productivity and efficiency.

• The development of stream power, engine, and electrical power gave rise to a change in the way we live.

6

• There is a closed relationship between and industrial revolution and transport revolution.

• With the powerful engines, large amount of cargo can be transported for a long distance in shorter time.

7

Organizational Change

• During 18th century, organizations called turnpike trusts were set up to maintain roads by using money collected from tolls on the roads.

• They are appointed by the government and have authority over a particular road.

8

• More organizations like shipping companies were set up, which make up the transport system.

• These organizations were found to reduce the costs of transport by around 40%.

9

• However, technology contributes to the effectiveness of such organizations.

• Therefore, both technological and organizational change plays a part in ushering in the transport revolution.

Modern Transport

• The most important component of today’s transport is the motor or engine.

QuickTime™ and a decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

QuickTime™ and a decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

Why is it important?

• In today’s world, transportation is part of our every single day.

• The world functions on fast and efficient transport, though most people tend to take it for granted.

• Just imagine life without the engine-no cars, buses or trains-coming to school would be a chore (or is it already one?)

• Without the engine, transport would be slow and inefficient.

• This would not be able to cope with the requirements of the modern world. For example, food products made in a factory needs to be shipped to a consumer market quickly to be sold as fresh as possible.

We depend on transport

• Specialization: production and consumption occurs at different places

• Expansion: people start to move around.

• The modern household suggests that we are more dependent on transport than in the past.

Continuum

• There are two extreme types of households: Specialised and non-specialised. The average household is in between.

• To be part of society, a household must specialise its occupations, education and social activities. The extent of specialisation is dependent on the amount of resources.

Take a look…Men Women

Activity 1975 1985 1975 1985

Work Travel

25 31 9 17

Family Travel

33 31 33 33

Leisure Travel

27 33 21 23

Total 85 94 63 73

• People work further away from home as compared to the past.

• Transport is also important in many other areas: Tourism and commerce

Problem!

• Due to our large dependence on transport, a lot of space is used to build the infrastructures that support it.

• Transport is also one of the largest energy consumer, our fuel reserves are depleting way too fast, making transport sustainability a problem.

Present…better than past?

• Past VS Present

• What’s the difference now as compared to before or during the early stages of the transport revolution?

Compare and Contrast

• Definitely better in some aspects– Time taken for travel– Comfort– More stable and reliable– More organized and safe

However…

– Congestions getting more severe – Fuel prices are high, and increasing –

stronger financial burden in maintainance– There are several social implications.– Pollution is on the rise

Congestions

• Usually occurs during rush hours

• In some places, roads are not enough for handling the busy moments

• Waste of fuel and time for many people trapped in the congestion

Beijing Olympics

• Beijing faced severe traffic congestions

• During Olympics, the odd-even system was used to reduce traffic by about 45%

• After the Olympics, conditions revert back to ‘normal’

Fuel prices

Social aspects

• Transport can now be used, though the effect is subtle, as a class divide.

• In commercial aircrafts, we have a seats that differ by class and pricing.

• Transport can also be used to reflect one’s social status. Rich people have luxurious while the poor may not even have one.

• People are also beginning to become more impatient. This is most probably caused by the fast pace of transport, which has sped up the pace of life. Waiting for a train for 10 minutes brings more frustrations now.

Pollution

• Air pollution – mainly from factories and vehicles

• Overuse of fuels – reserves running out in decades

• Bad for health and environment

• The transport sector has created many jobs such as bus drivers, deliverymen, shipping port staff and pilots.

• Fast transport has also been crucial for fast rescue with ambulances, fire engines and helicopters.

The future

• Solutions to above problems

• Other possible developments

The green vehicle

• Developed by ONCL

The green vehicle

• Same technology can be applied to other transport systems

• Saves energy, resources and enhances

Energy source development

• Solar power

• Nuclear power

Possible Developments

• Trains – beyond maglev

• Increased vehicle mobility

• Aircraft improvements

• Space travel (and living???)

Trains

• Fastest and quietest train: maglev

• Possible improvements– Turning

Increased vehicle mobility

• 3D roads, with floating vehicles

• Vehicles can go in all 6 directions

• Saves space on land for more development

Aircraft

• Possible developments:– Use less fuel, conserve energy– Made more economically viable, faster– More unified air traffic control system

Question…

• Will there be a next transport revolution?

Space travel

• Living in outer space in future may be possible– Space and resource constraint on Earth

References

39