evolution of transportation essay

Land Transport – History, Evolution, and Development Essay

Can you imagine how far humanity got with the historical and technological advancements of land transportation? Check out our essay example to discover the early forms of land transportation, such as horses and carriages, and learn about the invention of the steam engine and the internal combustion engine. An emphasis is made on the impact of the intense use of automobiles on society and the environment, as well as current developments in the field of electric and autonomous vehicles. Additionally, the author touches on the future of land transport, including potential advancements in sustainable technologies.

• Introduction

Land Transportation Negative Effects

• Vehicles with Less Emissions
• How to Lessen the Traffic
• The Case of the UAE – Dubai Metro

Introduction. History of Land Transportation

Land transportation has evolved throughout the human history. It started from simple strides, taming wild horses and invention of the wheel. History puts it that the initial invention of man-made transportation occurred in the Mesopotamia or Asia. This was the time when man invented the wheel at around 4000-3500 BC (Bardou, Jean-Pierre et al, 1982). The combination of the horse and the wheel made transportation system simple as it facilitated exchange of crops. It eventually led to mass movement of people and goods, and the wheel became advanced means of land transportation.

The use of the wheel eventually led to chariots. Sumerians were the first men to first experience wheel transportation. Chariot had the ability to enhance the speed of movement. Man soon invented a four-wheeled cart that improved efficiency in movement.

There were significant improvements in land transportation as automation development took place through steam engine. This was the origin of movement of a large number of people in the 18 th century (Bardou et al, 1982). However, the locomotive steam engine was slow and majorities considered it unsafe. Man soon invented locomotive steam engines. They had the power to drag many cars. This was an obvious improvement in the land transportation development.

As time progressed, man advanced the development of the locomotive system. This resulted into improved speed and safe travel than earlier attempts. The period of the World War II marked the introduction of a diesel-powered engine. Initially man had attempted to power trains through electricity as early as 1895. However, lack of efficiency made that discovery unreliable and expensive invention. Soon, the development in subway led to dependence on electricity as the method of underground movements.

Some studies suggest that there were attempts to “use steam engine in the East during the period of 800 BC” (Bardou et al, 1982). However, man limited this discovery to personal travel and not mass movement of people.

The period of 1860 marked a milestone in the development of land transportation. This was the time when Lenoir Jean Etienne of France made an engine powered by gas. Since then, there are advancements in land transport. Automobile discovery remains significant development since the period of the wheel. Automotive is responsible for distance traveling, rise of suburbs, and mass movements of people and goods at increased speeds (Davies, 1992).

Road Congestion

Road congestion results from increased use of the road network which results into increased time of traveling. Road congestion occurs due increased usages of vehicles and urban development. Road congestion has peak and off-peak hours. Occasionally, some factors may result into road congestion. These are mainly “unpredictable accidents, incidents, road works, severe weather conditions, or some major public events, and emergency cases” (Harry and Chang-Hee, 2008). In addition, other causes of road congestion can result from different approaches to control traffic flow such as junctions, signage, and traffic lights. These factors may influence the flow of traffic significantly.

Kerner Boris attempts to explain causes of road congestion using a mathematical approach. He talks of freeway traffic to explain causes of road congestion. This highlights that a traffic can either be in a state of “a free-flow condition, or in a congested condition” (Kerner, 2004). Congestion in traffic can still have a free-flow but heavy traffic. Conversely, there can also be wide-moving jams where traffic flow is generally slow. Such theoretical approaches to explaining causes of traffic help in designing less congested roads in urban development (Kerner, 2004).

There are several factors responsible for road congestion. Some studies have classified causes of road congestion in their own ways depending on the field. For instance, economists, road engineers and authorities may look at recurrent causes of road congestion. On the other hand, other specialist may look at both recurrent and none recurrent causes of road congestion (Kerner, 2004).

Studies in America about causes of road congestion established that 25 percent of causes of road congestion were mainly accident and incident related. About 15 percent of road congestion was as a result of bad weather. In addition, 10 percent occurred due to maintenance of roads. Emergencies, poor timing of traffic signals, and special events were responsible for five percent of road congestion. Recurrent causes of road congestion accounted for 40 percent. These were incapability and insufficiencies of the existing infrastructures.

Recurrent causes of road congestion due to insufficient capacity depend on the existing road networks. Limited capacity of urban roads implies that such existing road networks can no longer accommodate growing demands as a result of many private vehicles. There has also been growing purchases of private vehicles as many people improve their economic statuses. Such changes in commuter behaviors have resulted into unrestrained demand for roads among commuters in city suburbs. There are also cases where traffic management systems are ineffective, lack of sufficient knowledge, poor placement, out of order, or lack proper timing.

There are general factors responsible for traffic snarl-ups in cities. Time of usage is similar across most cities. Majorities living in the city suburbs have morning and evening schedules for attending workplaces, schools and other places. Thus, most commuters need to get to their destinations almost at the same time. This implies that the demand for transport is high as certain period of the day than others.

Population increase is also a factor that has led to road congestion. Road infrastructures need to support the ever growing populations. Over time, such infrastructures reach their limits where even expansion is not possible. In addition, majorities occupy city suburbs where they need to commute to cities or other places for various reasons almost on a daily basis.

Over the past few decades, levels of household incomes have grown significantly. This implies that there is money to commute to places. Most people opt for comfort and safety of their own cars. Consequently, they do not rely on public transportation systems but rather their own cars. This increases the demand for road networks and carrying capacities.

Most people also blame traffic snarl-ups on poor urban planning. There are emerging settlements away from the cities to support the growing populations. City planners must contend with such challenges. Some areas lack public transport systems, such as areas of high income individuals, new settlements, and low populated areas. Such people may resort to personal means of transportation. These are contributing factors to road congestions in major cities of the world (Stover and Frank, 1988).

Traffic congestion has severe impacts in terms of losses, accidents, rage, pollution, and increased maintenance costs. Most people spend a lot of time in traffic during peak hours. This increases frustration levels among commuters and lost opportunities and work hours. Time lost in traffic jams influences income levels of individuals and economy in general. Most countries calculate the hours people spend in traffic snarl-ups and translate them into monetary values.

Time lost in traffic also have effects on fuel consumptions. As a result, some people opt to relocate their businesses or switch their jobs or places of residence in order to save time for use during the day. Traffic snarl-ups also affect choices of social amenities. For instance, most people would like neighborhood schools, close shopping centers and places of work. Physical distances affect choices of such facilities and individuals’ social life schedules. However, critics and town authorities maintain that people are responsible for road congestions due to their choices of lifestyle such as the choice of residential place, mode of transportation, and avoidance of public means.

Road congestions also results into economic and productivity losses. People suffer increased commuter prices due to long hours in traffic snarl-ups. In addition, individuals, organizations, and business entities suffer losses due to traffic congestions as people spend productivities hours in the jam. Consequently, there are persistent loss of opportunities, increasing costs of running business, pollution and rates of accident (Link et al, 1999). These factors affect individuals in terms increased taxes, prices of commodities, and health.

There are countries that have reached the peak of traffic snarl-ups. To this end, road congestion has become a threat to countries’ economic developments. Governments have purely based such claims on road congestion alone. Consequently, road congestion has prompted governments to act immediately so as to avoid the negative impacts of road congestion on the economy. In some case, reliance on private cars as means of transport is no longer attractive due charges and taxes that come with them. Such economic impacts have forced most governments to upgrade their urban transport systems to the world-class status, introduce transport management systems, construct freeways, expand train systems, and promote the use of public transportation systems.

Road congestion is also responsible for growing cases of road carnage and incidents. Studies base this observation on the idea that an “increase in traffic volume will increase the rate of road accidents and incidents” (Winston and Langer, 2006). Most records show that cases of road accidents and incidents are common during rush hours. In addition, there are instances of reduced visibility during morning and evening hours or strong sun’s rays that affect drivers’ visibility. Such cases are responsible for increased road accidents. Still, some drivers suffer fatigue or lose concentration due to long hours in traffic jams and working hours have increased the rate of road accidents. Cases of careless driving or driving while drunk have increased the rate of road accidents globally. We may attribute the main cause of growing rates of road accidents to increasing numbers of vehicles on the roads. To this end, we must remember that road accidents and incidents themselves are also contributing factors in road congestion. This is a case of cause and effect relations in road usages.

Road congestion leads to decreased lifetime of the road surface. Road layers have the elasticity so as to support the weight of different types of vehicles using them. Vehicles cause massive deflection of the road surfaces when they are standstill, moving slowly, or when their numbers are high. Over time, the road surface losses its elasticity as top layers become lesser effective. This results into frequent maintenance than expected (Winston and Langer, 2006). Most roads have 25 years of life expectancy with scheduled maintenance of three times for the top layers. Still, areas of high traffic experience early drops in quality of the road than expected.

Costs of vehicles maintenance are high in areas of heavy traffic. Traffic congestion is not ideal for high speed modern vehicles. Thus, sudden acceleration and brakes have negative effects on the vehicle engines. Engines run even if the vehicles are in traffic despite the fact that no movements take place. This calls for frequent servicing of vehicles even above the manufacturers’ recommendations. Maintenance costs also take into account wear and tear of vehicle parts such as brakes and clutch as their usages increase with acceleration and sudden brakes.

Psychologists observe that among the main causes of road rage occur as a result of frustrations due to traffic snarl-ups. The main culprits are people of predisposed outbursts personalities who may take such frustrations to strangers in order to vent their anger. They tend to change lanes frequently or follow other motorists closely.

Air & Noise Pollution

Increase in road congestion and pollution goes beyond air pollution alone. There is also noise pollution that environmentalists find as an emerging source of concern. There are exhaust emissions that are responsible for the rising quantity of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. This takes place when vehicles are idle, but the engines are “in motion, sudden accelerating and braking within short distances” (Kerner, 2004). The issue of global warming has shifted focus from main industries to transportation system as significant contributors in emissions of greenhouse gases through combustion of fuels. As a result, vehicles manufacturers enhance technology in new vehicles to reduce emission of CO 2 and improve fuel efficiency.

The main sources of noise pollution mainly come from hooting, roaring vehicles engines, and radio and music systems in vehicles. The noise reaches the recipient through the normal transmission mode of air to ears. Noise levels depend on different factors such as “humidity, ambient temperature, air pressure, vehicle type, and the grade of the road surface” (Link et al, 1999). These factors are part of any road. However, slow movements of vehicles increase the level of noise as road congestion tends to concentrate such noise pollution in busy roads. Thus, noise pollution forms a part of concern for road users.

New Vehicles with Less CO2 Emissions

Most industry studies indicate that enhanced vehicle fuel efficiency has resulted into a drop of CO 2 emissions. According to Motor Industry Association (MIA), the National Average Carbon Emission (NACE) for new vehicles of 2011 had a figure of CO 2 emission below 200 grams to 197.1 grams for the first time (Motor Industry Association, 2012). This represented a drop of 2.3 percent from the previous year.

The effort among to reduce CO 2 emission among vehicle manufacturers started more than five years ago. The average drop of CO 2 emission has been 10 percent. Most new passenger vehicles form part of this calculation. Thus, the figures presented are representative in calculating the CO 2 measures. The drop is due to enhanced vehicles technology among main manufacturers in the world. The main is to meet CO 2 emissions in target markets that include the US, Europe, Australia, and other emerging economies. Consumers have also changed their purchasing habits to march the environmental requirements. This has improved due to government subsidies, especially in Europe where the government facilitate the purchase of environmental friendly cars by subsidizing the costs.

Most of these achievements are as a result of carbon trading scheme that aims at reducing the quantity of CO 2 in the atmosphere. The target has been on the transport sector for long-term agenda on reduction. These achievements from new vehicles show that manufacturers of motor vehicles are playing their roles of combating environmental degradation, reducing greenhouse emission, and pollutions from motor vehicles. Such efforts do not involve government interventions or regulations but are rather technological breakthroughs in vehicle manufacturing.

Ways to Lessen the Land Transportation Traffic

Developments in land transport have created issues of traffic in most urban centers. Every year, cases of road congestion increase as more vehicles use roads. Thus, such issues have led concerned individuals to look for alternative means of combating road congestion. Approaches to alleviate road traffic include improved public transport, charges and taxes, urban planning and development, and pool vehicles programs.

Developing public transit system is the basic approach to combating road congestion. This should include improving public access to public vehicles by creating new routes, and investing in efficient and safe vehicles such as subway lines, speedy trains, and modern public buses. These are basic methods of managing transport in urban cities.

Governments can also introduce charges and taxes to combat road congestion. This is the case in London whereby car owners pay charges to access central routes in the city and pay parking fees too. Such charges aim at making use of personal cars lesser attractive. Consequently, people will resort to public modes transport (Harry and Chang-Hee, 2008).

Urban traffic also results from poor planning. Most families tend to move to urban suburbs and commute either with personal vehicles or public means of transport to workplaces. Consequently, road congestion spread throughout the main routes. The fundamental aim is to focus on renewing urban planning, improving existing infrastructure, and reducing activities at the metropolis.

There are also car pool lanes in efforts to reduce road traffic jams. This initiative targets commuters to metropolises. In addition, commuters who use same routes can have ride sharing initiatives (Bonsall, 2002). This can work among government institutions, schools, universities, and other large organizations.

How to Improve the Land Transportation and Encourage the Use of Public Transportation – The Case of UAE

Dubai is a pioneer in developing the most extensive road network in the UAE. Thus, other emirates can learn from it. Dubai has been experiencing transport challenges until the year 2005. These were mainly road congestion, growing ownership of private vehicles, increased road accidents and deaths, low use of public transport systems, and heavy noise and air pollution. The country estimated that it losses roughly “AED 4.6 billion annually due to road congestion” (Chaudhry, 2012).

The government of Dubai was aiming at maintaining the growing economy through enhancing its road network, and acting as a role model for the UAE region. Consequently, the government created Roads Transport Authority (RTA) to handle issues of land transport.

The main approach involved improving the road network. The points of concentration were increasing capacity of the roads and reducing delays at the junctions. Specifically, RTA focused on enlarging the existing road networks, developing new roads, establishing ring roads at strategic developments, and establishing free flow junctions” (Chaudhry, 2012). These efforts have reduced commuting time for the public through reduction of road congestion. There are also bridges to reduce reliance on existing bridges and tunnels. These initiatives have both social and economic advantages to the public.

RTA also focuses on introducing policies to encourage “the use of public transport and eliminate the use of private cars, and make the best use of the available land transport facilities” (Eriksson, Garvill and Nordlund, 2008). The usages of policies have been effective in other places such as in the EU zone. However, policies can only be effective when planned and implemented well in order to enhance public acceptability. This is true in cases where change of behavior is mandatory. RTA can use push and pull measures to encourage the use of public transport systems. Successful approaches would involve increased tax and charges, and at the same time, providing alternative means of public transportation. This should come as a policy package.

RTA has also focused on public education through Mobility Management Plan, which covers international best practices on land transportation, enhancing the use of available facilities, and reducing time consumed in the traffic jam.

In UAE, the RTA of Dubai aims at developing integrated public transportation system (Chaudhry, 2012). This is the Dubai Metro project and road network for buses. Consequently, the public has begun to notice benefits of such initiatives. The integrated infrastructure aims at combining tram lines with road networks in order to increase access for the public.

The RTA has an ambitious plan of integrating the public transportation systems by creating many stations for different modes of transportation. This aims at enabling ease of transfers for commuters among “buses, water transport, and taxis” (Chaudhry, 2012).

According to Santos and associates, the RTA is working on a program of Transit Oriented Developments (TODs) (Santos, Behrendt and Teytelboym, 2010). The program aims at creating a coordinated urban planning that covers road networks for efficient and safe accessibility among the public. This is to address the needs for sustainable means of transport for the public in city suburbs.

Road transport has come a long way. The invention of the wheel and automotive engine changed revolutionized the way people and goods movement. Modern modes of land transport have their challenges. It is this challenges that men are trying to address in order to increase efficiency of land transport. The focus is mainly on road transport. This leads us to reflect on what lies ahead for land transport, future vehicles, environmental pollutions, congestion, and development plans for both transport systems and urban use.

Some observers believe that futures cars shall be fuel efficient. They shall depend on technological innovation for ensuring that they are free of CO 2 emission. Technology shall assist vehicles recognize different traffic signals, road signage, and other vehicles.

Still, some say that future transport shall utilize technology in every possible aspect. There are cases that vehicles of the future shall warn of bad weather and inform the occupant of possible collisions. In addition, such vehicles will let the drivers know if they are out of their lanes or fatigued. Differences in such cars will enhance driving experiences due to transformation from what is available today.

Further, there shall be a shift from petroleum cars to electric and hydrogen fuel cells powered cars. Such sources of car energy shall lead to low pollution of the environment because such fuels do not emit any CO 2 or pollutants.

Another area of focus shall be on land transport planning and development. The focus shall be on building secure and safe roads or land transport system that aims at serving every member of society. Focus on sustainability of land shall remain a key element on developing efficient land transport. In addition, any future developments of land transport will strive to create a link with other means of transport. Such developments shall take into account the environmental impacts of such developing road infrastructures.

Most countries shall put their priorities in building super highways, complex road networks, and enhanced road safety through education, facilities, and increased accessibility to the masses as the case of Dubai Metro. There shall be a well developed urban land transport information system, and the public shall rely on the public transport than on personal cars due to enhanced efficiency.

Governments shall increase their involvement in the development of land transport system. The main focus shall be on continuous investments through construction of new road networks or upgrading the existing ones. Future development in land transport shall attract private sector participation.

Further, the government shall develop policies to reduce the use of personal cars and allow road users use existing infrastructure wisely. The focus shall be on enhancing public access to such transport facilities. Such policies may aim at introducing taxes to make use of personal cars lesser attractive. In addition, there shall also be pull measures that strive to create many alternatives for the use of personal cars. They can achieve this by enhancing public transport and transport infrastructure. These efforts shall aim at creating the best international practices on land transport and reduce road congestion, at the same time, reduce environmental pollution from too many vehicles.

Bardou, J. et al. (1982). The Automobile Revolution: The Impact of an Industry. North Carolina: The University of North Carolina Press Chapel Hill.

Bonsall, P. (2002). Car share and car clubs: Potential impacts. Leeds: Institute for Transport Studies.

Chaudhry, A. G. (2012). Evolution of the transportation system in Dubai. Network Industries Quarterly, 14 (1), 7-1.

Davies, E. (1992). Transport: On Land, Road & Rail. London: Franklin Watts.

Eriksson, L., Garvill, J., and Nordlund, A.M. (2008). Acceptability of single and combined transport policy measures: the importance of environmental and policy specific beliefs. Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, 42 (8), 1117-1128.

Harry, W. R. and Chang-Hee, C. B. (2008). Road Congestion Pricing in Europe. Implications for the United States. Northampton, MA: Edward Elgar.

Kerner, B. S. (2004). The Physics of Traffic: Empirical Freeway Pattern Features, Engineering Applications, and Theory. Berlin: Springer.

Link, H. et al. (1999). The Costs of Road Infrastructure and Congestion in Europe (Contributions to Economics). Heidelberg: Physica-Verlag HD.

Motor Industry Association. (2012). New Vehicle CO2 Emissions Continue Reducing. New Zealand: MIA.

Santos, G., Behrendt, H., and Teytelboym, A. (2010). Part II: Policy instruments for sustainable road transport. Research in Transportation Economics, 28 , 46-91.

Stover, G. and Frank J. (1988). The Impact of Various Land Use Strategies on Suburban Mobility. New Jersey: Englewood Cliffs.

Winston, C. and Langer, A. (2006). The effect of government highway spending on road users’ congestion costs. Journal of Urban Economics, 1 (1), 1-20.

• The Transport System in the City of Dallas
• Hybrid Cars: Benefits and Controversies
• Noise Pollution: Urban Traffic Noise
• Traffic in Abu Dhabi
• The Justice System: Prison Congestion
• Subaru Outback: Car Observation
• The Dangerous Habits of Drivers
• Hybrid Cars' Disadvantages
• The History of the Vehicle Industry
• Why People Should Study Driving?
• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2020, June 4). Land Transport – History, Evolution, and Development Essay. https://ivypanda.com/essays/land-transport-evolution-and-development/

"Land Transport – History, Evolution, and Development Essay." IvyPanda , 4 June 2020, ivypanda.com/essays/land-transport-evolution-and-development/.

IvyPanda . (2020) 'Land Transport – History, Evolution, and Development Essay'. 4 June.

IvyPanda . 2020. "Land Transport – History, Evolution, and Development Essay." June 4, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/land-transport-evolution-and-development/.

1. IvyPanda . "Land Transport – History, Evolution, and Development Essay." June 4, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/land-transport-evolution-and-development/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Land Transport – History, Evolution, and Development Essay." June 4, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/land-transport-evolution-and-development/.

• To find inspiration for your paper and overcome writer’s block
• As a source of information (ensure proper referencing)
• As a template for you assignment

• Humanities ›
• History & Culture ›
• Inventions ›
• Invention Timelines ›

The History of Transportation

 Aaron Foster / Getty Images

• Invention Timelines
• Famous Inventions
• Famous Inventors
• Patents & Trademarks
• Computers & The Internet
• American History
• African American History
• African History
• Ancient History and Culture
• Asian History
• European History
• Latin American History
• Medieval & Renaissance History
• Military History
• The 20th Century
• Women's History

Whether by land or by sea, humans have always sought to traverse the earth and move to new locations. The evolution of transportation has brought us from simple canoes to space travel, and there's no telling where we could go next and how we will get there. The following is a brief history of transportation, dating from the first vehicles 900,000 years ago to modern-day times.

Early Boats

The first mode of transportation was created in the effort to traverse water: boats. Those who colonized Australia roughly 60,000–40,000 years ago have been credited as the first people to cross the sea, though there is some evidence that seafaring trips were carried out as far back as 900,000 years ago.

The earliest known boats were simple logboats, also referred to as dugouts, which were made by hollowing out a tree trunk. Evidence for these floating vehicles comes from artifacts that date back to around 10,000–7,000 years ago. The Pesse canoe—a logboat—is the oldest boat unearthed and dates as far back as 7600 BCE. Rafts have been around nearly as long, with artifacts showing them in use for at least 8,000 years.

Horses and Wheeled Vehicles

Next, came horses. While it’s difficult to pinpoint exactly when humans first began domesticating them as a means of getting around and transporting goods, experts generally go by the emergence of certain human biological and cultural markers that indicate when such practices started to take place.

Based on changes in teeth records, butchering activities, shifts in settlement patterns, and historic depictions, experts believe that domestication took place around 4000 BCE. Genetic evidence from horses, including changes in musculature and cognitive function, support this.

It was also roughly around this period that the wheel was invented. Archaeological records show that the first wheeled vehicles were in use around 3500 BCE, with evidence of the existence of such contraptions found in Mesopotamia, the Northern Caucuses, and Central Europe. The earliest well-dated artifact from that time period is the "Bronocice pot," a ceramic vase that depicts a four-wheeled wagon that featured two axles. It was unearthed in southern Poland.

Steam Engines

In 1769, the Watt steam engine changed everything. Boats were among the first to take advantage of steam-generated power; in 1783, a French inventor by the name of Claude de Jouffroy built the "Pyroscaphe," the world’s first steamship . But despite successfully making trips up and down the river and carrying passengers as part of a demonstration, there wasn’t enough interest to fund further development.

While other inventors tried to make steamships that were practical enough for mass transport, it was American Robert Fulton who furthered the technology to where it was commercially viable. In 1807, the Clermont completed a 150-mile trip from New York City to Albany that took 32 hours, with the average speed clocking in at about five miles per hour. Within a few years, Fulton and company would offer regular passenger and freight service between New Orleans, Louisiana, and Natchez, Mississippi.

Back in 1769, another Frenchman named Nicolas Joseph Cugnot attempted to adapt steam engine technology to a road vehicle—the result was the invention of the first automobile . However, the heavy engine added so much weight to the vehicle that it wasn't practical. It had a top speed of 2.5 miles per hour.

Another effort to repurpose the steam engine for a different means of personal transport resulted in the "Roper Steam Velocipede." Developed in 1867, the two-wheeled steam-powered bicycle is considered by many historians to be the world’s first motorcycle .

Locomotives

One mode of land transport powered by a steam engine that did go mainstream was the locomotive. In 1801, British inventor Richard Trevithick unveiled the world’s first road locomotive—called the “Puffing Devil”—and used it to give six passengers a ride to a nearby village. It was three years later that Trevithick first demonstrated a locomotive that ran on rails, and another one that hauled 10 tons of iron to the community of Penydarren, Wales, to a small village called Abercynon.

It took a fellow Brit—a civil and mechanical engineer named George Stephenson—to turn locomotives into a form of mass transport. In 1812, Matthew Murray of Holbeck designed and built the first commercially successful steam locomotive, “The Salamanca,” and Stephenson wanted to take the technology a step further. So in 1814, Stephenson designed the "Blücher," an eight-wagon locomotive capable of hauling 30 tons of coal uphill at a speed of four miles per hour.

By 1824, Stephenson improved the efficiency of his locomotive designs to where he was commissioned by the Stockton and Darlington Railway to build the first steam locomotive to carry passengers on a public rail line, the aptly named "Locomotion No. 1." Six years later, he opened the Liverpool and Manchester Railway, the first public inter-city railway line serviced by steam locomotives. His notable accomplishments also include establishing the standard for rail spacing for most of the railways in use today. No wonder he’s been hailed as " Father of Railways ."

Technically speaking, the first navigable submarine was invented in 1620 by Dutchman Cornelis Drebbel. Built for the English Royal Navy, Drebbel’s submarine could stay submerged for up to three hours and was propelled by oars. However, the submarine was never used in combat, and it wasn’t until the turn of the 20th century that designs leading to practical and widely used submersible vehicles were realized.

Along the way, there were important milestones such as the launch of the hand-powered, egg-shaped "Turtle " in 1776, the first military submarine used in combat. There was also the French Navy submarine "Plongeur," the first mechanically powered submarine.

Finally, in 1888, the Spanish Navy launched the "Peral," the first electric, battery-powered submarine, which also so happened to be the first fully capable military submarine. Built by a Spanish engineer and sailor named Isaac Peral, it was equipped with a torpedo tube, two torpedoes, an air regeneration system, and the first fully reliable underwater navigation system, and it posted an underwater speed of 3.5 miles per hour.

The start of the twentieth century was truly the dawn of a new era in the history of transportation as two American brothers, Orville and Wilbur Wright, pulled off the first official powered flight in 1903. In essence, they invented the world’s first airplane. Transport via aircraft took off from there with airplanes being put into service within a few short years during World War I. In 1919, British aviators John Alcock and Arthur Brown completed the first transatlantic flight, crossing from Canada to Ireland. The same year, passengers were able to fly internationally for the first time.

Around the same time that the Wright brothers were taking flight, French inventor Paul Cornu started developing a rotorcraft. And on November 13, 1907, his "Cornu" helicopter, made of little more than some tubing, an engine, and rotary wings, achieved a lift height of about one foot while staying airborne for about 20 seconds. With that, Cornu would lay claim to having piloted the first helicopter flight .

Spacecraft and the Space Race

It didn’t take long after air travel took off for humans to start seriously considering the possibility of going further up and toward the heavens. The Soviet Union surprised much of the western world in 1957 with its successful launch of Sputnik, the first satellite to reach outer space. Four years later, the Russians followed that by sending the first human, pilot Yuri Gagaran, into outer space aboard the Vostok 1.

These achievements would spark a “space race” between the Soviet Union and the United States that culminated in the Americans taking what was perhaps the biggest victory lap among national rivals. On July 20, 1969, the lunar module of the Apollo spacecraft, carrying astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, touched down on the surface of the moon.

The event, which was broadcast on live TV to the rest of the world, allowed millions to witness the moment Armstrong became the first man to ever step foot on the moon, a moment he heralded as “one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”  

• The History of Steamboats
• A Brief History of Writing
• The Early History of Communication
• History of Photography Timeline
• A Brief Timeline of the 1950s
• George Westinghouse's Influence on Electricity
• The History of Early Fireworks and Fire Arrows
• History of Electricity
• History of the Bicycle
• History of Microscopes
• The History of the Odometer
• Events and Inventions of the First Decade of the 20th Century
• 17th Century Timeline, 1600 Through 1699
• The History of Answering Machines
• Armillary Spheres
• The History of Electroplating

Academia.edu no longer supports Internet Explorer.

To browse Academia.edu and the wider internet faster and more securely, please take a few seconds to  upgrade your browser .

Enter the email address you signed up with and we'll email you a reset link.

• We're Hiring!
• Help Center

Download Free PDF

THE REVOLUTIONS IN THE MEANS OF TRANSPORT FROM PRE-HISTORY TO THE CONTEMPORARY ERA AND ITS FUTURE EVOLUTION

This article aims to present the evolution of land, waterways, air and space transport means throughout history and its future perspectives. The means of transport can be classified into land, pipelines, waterways, air and space. The evolution of the means of transport was essential for the development of humanity. What will the land transport of the future look like? What will the waterway transport of the future look like? What will the air transport of the future look like? What will the space transport of the future look like? This article provides answers to these questions.

Related papers

This article aims to present the major innovations that are expected to occur in land transport (urban, road and rail), waterway transport, air transport and space transport in the future. What will land, waterway, air and space transportation of the future be like? The answers to this question are presented in this article.

This article aims to present the great inventions that contributed to the development of land and pipeline transport throughout history, as well as to show their probable future evolution. The means of land transport operate in the transport of people and cargo within cities and in the exchange between cities, states and surrounding countries, contributing to the economic and social development of a country or a region. Land transport means are classified as rail, which use trains, electric trams and inclined planes, road transport, which use buses, cars, trucks, bicycles and motorcycles, subways that use the subway, as well as other means of transport such as urban elevators and cable cars. Pipeline or tubular means of transport are those made by means of tubes (gas pipelines, oil pipelines, alcohol pipelines, ore pipelines) to transport gases and fluids. This article presents in detail how the invention of the railway, the subway, the electric tram, the motor vehicle (internal combustion car, electric car and autonomous vehicle), the truck, the bicycle, the motorcycle, the elevator and ducts. In addition, it presents in detail what the land transport of the future will look like in urban centers, on railway lines and on highways

This article aims to present the great inventions that occurred with the means of river, lake and maritime transport, aiming at the transport of people and cargo throughout history and its future evolution. The use of boats constituted one of the first means of locomotion invented by man and was crucial for the development of humanity. Since ancient times, boats have been used as a means of transport. In the beginning, canoes were used for fishing activities and short-distance transport. Canoes are considered the first vessels used to transport people and cargo. Taking advantage of the current of the water or using oars, the navigators moved the canoes, covering small distances. Over time, sailing boats were invented, which moved driven by the force of the wind. The development of ships and the discovery of new navigation techniques made it possible for human beings to cross rivers, seas and oceans, overcoming long distances in the transport of passengers and cargo, in addition to using them as weapons of war. From wooden canoes to large vessels such as modern ocean liners, there has been a lot of progress. In the future, vessels will benefit from increasingly sophisticated technologies. Smart ships will become an integral part of the reality that surrounds us.

Applied physics reviews, 2019

traspol.polimi.it

Journal of Transport History, 36(2) (2015), iii-iv, 2015

Transportation Revolution and Mobility have always been considered as backbone of ‘ New Age of Trade, Mobility, Happiness and Prosperity ’. In fact, from the 18th century to the 19th century, James Michael Walker (2022) found a positive, strong and significant association within the U.S. Transportation Revolution and Prosperity. Fortunately, this association has been extended to the 20th century where the size of the Transportation Sector in the Economy has continued to grow dramatically. Accordingly, Aldcroft, D.H. (1974) who focused on the Transportation Revolution during the 20th century found that there are several interrelated features of the twentieth-century Transport Revolution : - The enormous growth in the use of transportation services and the consequent increase of the size of the transport sector in the economy. - The change in importance of different modes (horse, trains, cars, freight, planes among others). - Significant technological changes which have affected nearly all modes. Since then, Aldcroft, D.H. (1974) found that as a result of this expansion, the transport sector has been absorbing a growing share of national resources, especially since the second World War. For example, in the U.S., Aldcroft, D.H. (1974) found that the transport sector’s share in personal consumption in the United States has grown less dramatically since the war probably because it was already fairly large at the beginning of this period. In 1971 it accounted for 13.55 percent of total personal consumption as against 12.93 per cent in 1950 (US Bureau of Census, 1973). Furthermore, expenditure on transport now forms one of the largest items in personal consumption after food, and in some cases probably exceeds that on housing. Moreover, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics that focused as well on the expenditure on transport in the U.S. from 1960 to 2020 has also shown the growing importance of transportation sector in the life of Americans. Globally and very recently as well, Hedges & Company (2023) finds that there are 1.474 billion cars in the world in 2023. Most are in Asia, followed by Europe and North America. 19 % of all vehicles are in the U.S. As a result, not only the U.S. Transportation sector is considered as the backbone of its prosperity, competitiveness and global leadership but also since the 80s to now, the Transportation Revolution has been strongly associated with the New Age of Trade, Mobility, Happiness and Prosperity. Furthermore, the Transportation sector did help the 20th century and the 21st century become an Era of a Hypermobility and Hyperconnectivity World Economy mainly driven by the growing importance of Automotive-centric, Plane-centric and Maritime-centric (Shipment-centric) Economy. However, of the above Transportation Mode, Air Transport has started to take the lead of transportation while becoming one of the key factors of the New Age of Trade, Mobility, Happiness and Prosperity. Firstly, Air Transport is playing an important role into global mobility. In fact, historically, air transport has doubled in size every fifteen years and has grown faster than most other industries. For example, in 2019 (one year before the COVID-19 pandemic), Air Transport Action Group (ATAG) (2018) found that 1,303 scheduled airlines operate over 31,717 aircraft, serving 3,759 airports thanks to the support of 170 air navigation services providers. Secondly, beyond the mobility, Air Transport is becoming one of the key factors of the current Trade Age and the Global Value Chains Revolution. In fact, while focusing on : « Value of Air Transport and Global Value Chains », IATA (2023) found that Air cargo is key in supporting the current global trading system, with an estimated 35 % of value of global trade carried by air cargo , even though it covers less than 1 % by volume. Furthermore, they found a strong association between better air cargo connectivity and higher total trade value. In fact, a 1 % increase in air cargo connectivity is associated with a 6.3 % increase in total exports and imports. This contribution to the GVCs is more pronounced for the most advanced countries of the North. Accordingly, IATA (2023) found that the role of air cargo is even greater for trade in advanced industrial, high value goods, and other sectors that rely on rapid, reliable and secure transport. In fact , countries such as the U.S. and EU that have well developed air cargo connections combined with good quality customs services and smart borders, are better at integrating into global value chains. Thirdly, the Air Transport also plays an important role into the e-trade as e-consumers and e-producers started to rely mainly on it for their consumption, production and their Just-in-Time Delivery System. Accordingly, Air Transport Action Group (ATAG) (2018) found that Air transport is a driver of global trade and e-commerce, allowing globalization of production. As a result, the Air Transport started to become key contributor to the global GDP. Accordingly, ATAG (2018) found that aviation’s global stature as an economic engine is evident in the statistics. If the global aviation sector were a country, its total contribution (direct, indirect, induced and catalytic) of USD 2.7 trillion to the gross domestic product (GDP) and the 65.5 million jobs it supports, would be comparable to the UK’s economic size and population which is about 3.6 % of global GDP. Furthermore, Aviation provides the only rapid worldwide transportation network, which makes it essential for global business. It generates economic growth, creates jobs, and facilitates international trade and tourism. Fortunately, the contribution of the air transport is called to amplify in the next decades. As a result, the U.S. Air Transport started to become the driving force of its 21st century ‘ Prosperity, Competitiveness and Leadership’. In fact, even when the maritime service continues to play an important role in the U.S. trade and GVC, International Trade Administration (2023) finds that commercial aviation is a critical economic jet engine for the U.S., accounting for 5 % of U.S. GDP and employing over 10 million American workers. The United States is the largest domestic air passenger and freight market in the world-every day, U.S. airlines transport more than 2.4 million passengers and more than 58, 000 tons of cargo. The total value of merchandise exported from or imported to the U.S. by air in 2018 was $1 trillion. Since then, the U.S. is determined to keep the path. In fact, International Trade Administration (2023) finds that to date, the United States has negotiated Open Skies agreements with more than 125 partners on every continent and every level of development. Doing so could strengthen the U.S. 21st Century Space Era. However, the predominance of the U.S. Air Transpoort won’t be enough to guarantee the sustained existence of its global leadership. In fact, China is now becoming the Superpower of EVs. This transformation could China become a global leader very soon. Key Words : Structural, Trade,Technological and Behavioral Changes ; Prosperity Opportunities ; Core-Periphery Configuration ; Gradual Polycentric Configuration ; Transportation Revolution ; New Age of Trade, Mobility, Happiness and Prosperity ; Hypermobility and Hyperconnectivity World Economy ; Automotive-centric, Plane-centric and Maritime-centric Economy ; Just-in-Time Delivery System ; The U.S. 21st Century Prosperity, Competitiveness and Leadership ; U.S. 21st Century Space Era.

Loading Preview

Sorry, preview is currently unavailable. You can download the paper by clicking the button above.

De Re Rustica Arqueología de las actividades económicas en los campos de Hispania, 2023

The Abyss as a Concept for Cultural Theory: A Comparative Exploration, ed. Marko Pajevic, Leiden/Boston: Brill, p. 92-113 [final draft], 2024

Rechtstheorie, 2021

Colección Biblioteca de humanidades Salmanticensis, Serie Filosofía. Madrid: Sindéresis, 2024, ISBN: 978-84-10120-33-4, 384 pp.

International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology, 2024

GEC Technical Report, 2019

Impact Assessment of Beekeeping in sustainable rural livelihood, 2013

Open Access Journal of Sports Medicine, 2012

Journal of Financial Economics, 1999

Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery, 2008

Chest, 2018

ACTA DE OTORRINOLARINGOLOGÍA & CIRUGÍA DE CABEZA Y CUELLO

Revista de Trabajo y Seguridad Social. CEF

Anesthesia & Analgesia, 1989

Related topics

•   We're Hiring!
•   Help Center
• Find new research papers in:
• Health Sciences
• Earth Sciences
• Cognitive Science
• Mathematics
• Computer Science
• Academia ©2024

Essay on Transport

Students are often asked to write an essay on Transport in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Transport

Importance of transport.

Transport is crucial in our lives. It helps us move from one place to another, enabling trade, travel, and communication. Without transport, our lives would be very different.

Types of Transport

Transport can be land, water, or air-based. Land transport includes cars, buses, and trains. Water transport includes ships and boats, while air transport includes airplanes and helicopters.

Future of Transport

With technology advancing, the future of transport looks exciting. We may soon see self-driving cars, hyperloop trains, and more eco-friendly options, making our journeys faster, safer, and greener.

Also check:

• 10 Lines on Transport

250 Words Essay on Transport

The evolution of transport.

Transportation has evolved significantly, from the primitive methods of walking and animal riding to today’s sophisticated network of planes, trains, and automobiles. This transformation has been driven by technological advancements, societal needs, and economic forces, shaping our globalized world.

Impact of Transport on Society and Economy

The transportation system is the backbone of any economy. It facilitates the movement of goods and people, fostering economic growth and social interaction. The development of transport infrastructures like highways, airports, and railways has directly impacted the industrialization process, facilitating trade and commerce.

Modern Transportation and Environmental Concerns

While transportation has brought numerous benefits, it is also a significant contributor to environmental degradation. Greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles contribute to climate change, while noise and air pollution affect urban living conditions. Hence, sustainable transport solutions are crucial for the future.

The Future of Transportation

The future of transportation lies in sustainability and technological innovation. Concepts like electric vehicles, autonomous driving, and hyperloop transportation promise a future where transport is efficient, safe, and environmentally friendly. However, these innovations require significant investment and policy support to become mainstream.

Transportation is a critical aspect of our lives, shaping economic growth, societal interaction, and environmental health. As we move forward, the challenge lies in balancing the benefits of transportation with its environmental impact, and embracing innovative technologies to create a sustainable future.

500 Words Essay on Transport

Introduction.

Transportation, a critical aspect of human civilization, has developed significantly over the centuries, evolving from primitive means to advanced technology-driven systems. It plays a pivotal role in the social, economic, and political spheres of society, facilitating the movement of people, goods, and services across various geographical locations.

The history of transportation is a testament to human ingenuity and the relentless pursuit of efficiency. Early humans relied on their physical strength and animals for movement. The invention of the wheel marked a significant milestone, leading to the development of carts and chariots. The advent of industrialization brought about steam engines, revolutionizing land and sea transport. In the 20th century, the invention of the internal combustion engine led to the widespread use of automobiles and aircraft, drastically reducing travel times. Today, we stand at the cusp of another revolution with the development of autonomous vehicles and hyperloop technology.

Transportation systems can be broadly categorized into land, water, air, and space transport. Land transport includes road, rail, and pipeline transport, with automobiles, trains, and trucks as the primary means. Water transport, the oldest form, relies on ships and boats, critical for international trade. Air transport, though expensive, provides the fastest means of travel, essential for global connectivity. Space transport, though still in its infancy, has the potential to redefine our understanding of transportation.

Impact of Transport on Society

Transportation has a profound impact on society, shaping our lifestyles, economies, and cultures. It facilitates trade and commerce, enabling the distribution of goods and services across regions, thus driving economic growth. It fosters cultural exchange and social interaction by connecting different communities. However, transportation also has its drawbacks, notably its environmental impact. The transport sector is a significant contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, leading to climate change.

The Future of Transport

The future of transportation lies in sustainability and technological innovation. Electric vehicles (EVs), autonomous driving, and shared mobility are some of the trends shaping the future. EVs, powered by renewable energy, offer a solution to the environmental challenges posed by conventional vehicles. Autonomous driving promises to improve safety and efficiency, while shared mobility can reduce the number of vehicles on the road, alleviating traffic congestion.

Transportation, a cornerstone of human civilization, has evolved in tandem with our advancement. While it has brought numerous benefits, it also poses significant challenges, especially in terms of environmental sustainability. As we move forward, the focus should be on harnessing technological advancements to create a transportation system that is efficient, safe, and sustainable. The future of transport is not just about moving from one place to another; it’s about doing so in a way that benefits us all.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

• Essay on Public Transportation
• Essay on Road Transport
• Essay on Importance of Rivers

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

Happy studying!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.