Business studies- transportation

Advantage of rail transportation

1. It is capable of carrying heavy and bulky goods like coal, petroleum products and timber etc. 2. Accidents are not common occurrence in rail transportation. 3. Canteen services and toilets are made available in trains. 4. Train fares cheaper than other means of transportation.

Disadvantages of air transportation

1. It is not flexible because it is operated on schedule. 2. It is not suitable for carrying bulky goods. 3. Although accidents are very rare in air transport, but when they occur, they are always fatal. 4. It is not at the reach of many people because many towns do not have airports and not all can afford it. 5. It costs much to purchase and maintain aircraft. 6. It is not economical on short-distance journeys 7. It is usually affected by weather condition which brings about delays and cancellation of flights.

Advantages of air transportation

1. It is the fastest means transportation. 2. Air transport is the most suitable means of transporting fragile goods and travelling on a long distance. 3. It is a very good means of transport over long distance especially between one country and another. 4. Congestion and hold-ups that bring about delays in road transport do not occur in air transport. 5. It is more reliable and safer than road transportation.

Advantage of water transportation

1. It is the most suitable and cheapest means of transport for conveying bulky goods. 2. It connects countries of the world especially where transport by land cannot reach. 3. It helps and makes international trade possible. 4. Water transportation does not breed traffic congestion. 5. Accidents are not common occurrence in water transport.

Disadvantage of road transportation

1. It is usually prone to traffic congestion especially in cities and commercial areas. 2. Road transportation is equally prone to accidents due to bad roads and recklessness of vehicle operators. 3. Motor vehicles experience more break downs leading to delays and damages of goods carried. 4. It cost more due to heavy maintenance cost of repairing roads and vehicles. 5. Road transportation is not usually suitable for carrying heavy, bulky and fragile goods.

Advantage of road transportation

1. It is very flexible and provides door to door service in every part of the country. 2. It is possible for an individual to own his own means of road transportation either for personal or commercial use. 3. Commuters pay cheaper fares when they travel by road than other means of road transportation. 4. People have wide range of choice to make when it comes to road transportation. 5. It is not usually limited by weather condition 6. It is more convenient to travel by road as the person can choose the time to travel and the particular route he wants to follow.

Advantages of pipeline transportation

1. Once built, pipeline does not require frequent maintenance or overhaul. 2. Pipelines are safer means of carrying toxic materials directly to the factory when needed. 3. No physical labour or activities required to move the goods through pipes.

Disadvantage of rail transportation

1. Rail lines are expensive to build 2. Rail lines do not link many cities and major towns 3. Accidents result in heavy causalities and losses.

Disadvantages of pipeline transportation

1. Some pipes are built on the ground surface, so they are open to vandalisation. 2. Cost of patrolling the pipelines to guard against vandalisation is very high. 3. Pipelines which carry toxic materials can dangerous to the environment if they are damaged.

FACTORS AFFECTING THE CHOICE OF TRANSPORTATION

1. The nature of the goods to be moved; i.e. whether fragile, bulky, or expensive. 2. The distance between the present location and the destination. ' 3. The income or social status of the passenger. 4. The relative safety of the means of transportation. 5. The relative speed of the mode of transportation 6. The degree of comfort offered by the mode of transportation.

Disadvantage of water transportation

1. Transport by water is very slow especially in long distances. 2. It is very expensive to acquire and maintain. 3. It is not ideal for carrying perishable goods to far distances. 4. It is prone to perils of sea like storms, collision, pilfering and high tides.