In each of the following situations, please select which mode of transportation studied this week would be the most advantageous. Explain your answer. [8A, 8B, 8C]
Sending 350 40-foot containers from Shanghai, China to Los Angeles, California.
Maritime transport is the best for these kinds of shipments because ships can fill a given container or what is known as full container load (FCL) (Rushton, Croucher, & Baker, 2014, p. 391). Additionally, container ships can accommodate stackable cargo, which will be prepared using a stowage plan (Rushton, Croucher, & Baker, 2014, p. 393). There is also the possibility of reduced damage in products, which may be caused when using other types of cargoes. Delivery time is also faster, which helps in increasing the level of service provided to customers (Rushton, Croucher, & Baker, 2014, p. 378).
Sending a live heart from Anchorage, Alaska to a patient waiting in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Air transport is the best for this situation considering the fragility of the goods (the live heart) to be transported. The advantage of using air transport in this case includes the security and fragility of the live heart, which can be transported “for very long distances in a short span of time” (Rushton, Croucher, & Baker, 2014, p. 405).
Transporting oil from a field in the Caspian Sea to a refinery in Azerbaijan.
Rail and intermodal transport is best for this situation considering the development of the regional pipeline and transit system that centered on Azerbaijan. Oil has been shipped from Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan crossing the Caspian Sea to the port of Baku, which will be shipped by rail and pipeline going to the Black Sea. Initially, a cellular container ship will be used for the carriage of the containers (Rushton, Croucher, & Baker, 2014, p. 426), which can later on be transferred to a locomotive for faster delivery of oil to the intended recipients. This is advantageous in this situation because average speeds of such systems are 50 to 300 miles (Rushton, Croucher, & Baker, 2014, p. 431). Oil tankers may also be used to transport oil from the Caspian Sea to Azerbaijan as these usually carry huge volumes of crude oil in liquid form (Rushton, Croucher, & Baker, 2014, p. 401).
Sending large shipyard cranes from the manufacturer in Maine to the Port of Vancouver, Canada.
Maritime transport will be the best choice for sending large shipyard cranes from the manufacturer in Maine to the Port of Vancouver in Canada. This is because cranes can be stacked one on top of the other and the possibility of them getting wet will not affect the quality of the product (Rushton, Croucher, & Baker, 2014, p. 392).
Transporting apples from a grove in upstate Washington to a grocery store distribution center in rural Idaho.
Road freight transport is the best choice for this situation, specifically, a goods vehicle such as a semi-trailer (Rushton, Croucher, & Baker, 2014, p. 434).
Please provide three examples of intermodal transportation. [8D]
Container ships
Railways
Barges
What is the difference between intramodal and intermodal competition in transportation? Which type of competition do you think is more prevalent and why? [8A, 8C, 8D]
Intramodal competition in transportation means competition occurs within cities, while intermodal competition occurs between cities. Because competition happens within cities, there is not much competition in the intramodal method because it operates in an oligopoly environment. There is a sense of ownership in the sense that those involved in the “competition” do not actually compete against each other, but rather support one another. Unlike in intramodal competitions, competition is higher in intermodal transportation because there is movement of passengers of freight from one type of transport to another, which usually happens on a specified terminal (Rodrigue & Slack, 2017). Those doing business or shipping their goods have a choice pertaining the mode of transportation they prefer for their goods. Thus, in order to keep their customers, railroads must ensure that their prices stay competitive factoring in operational factors, transport mode characteristics, cost and service requirements, and consignment factors (Rushton, Croucher, & Baker, 2014, p. 370).
In my opinion, intermodal competition is more prevalent now considering that many businesses are no longer confined in selling their goods and services in one locality alone. As answer to globalization, many would opt to have their goods shipped to various parts of the world, which means they need to use intermodal transportation more.
What advantages does road offer as a mode of transportation over rail? [8C, 8D]
Road transport offers several advantages as a mode of transportation over rail.
Less capital outlay. The cost of constructing, operating, and maintaining roads is less expensive than maintaining railways. Typically, governments construct and maintain these roads and only a small amount is charged when using these roads (Agarwal, n.d.).
Door to door service. Road transport can help in reducing “cartage, loading, and unloading expenses” (Agarwal, n.d.) aside from its capability to transport the goods directly to the warehouse or the store.
Can service rural areas. Road transport is capable of door to door delivery to rural areas that are otherwise unreachable by rail, air, or water transport. Thus, exchange of goods can occur between towns and small villages through this mode of transportation (Agarwal, n.d.).
Offers flexibility in service. Routes and delivery times can be adjusted easily and anytime according to client or customer requirements without much hassle or difficulty (Agarwal, n.d.).
Best for short distance deliveries. It is a cheaper and quicker option for carrying goods and people over short distances. Delays in deliveries can be avoided or at least, easily reported in cases of emergencies and products can be delivered directly to the place of destination (Agarwal, n.d.).
What advantages does air offer as a mode of transportation over water? [8C, 8D]
Minimum cost. There is no need to spend money on the construction of railways or road transport systems because only airports need to be built (Mehta, n.d.).
Easy transport of goods. Whether the goods are expensive or not, it is very convenient to transport light and perishable goods through this mode of transport (Mehta, n.d.).
High speed. This is the fastest way of transporting goods and people from one destination to another as long as all the documents are properly filed (Mehta, n.d.).
Useful in natural calamities. Air transport is the fastest and most convenient way to be used for rescue operations during calamities such as flooding, earthquakes, or accidents, among others (Mehta, n.d.).
Free from physical barriers. Air transport is free from physical barriers such as mountains, rivers, trees, or other forms of transport vehicles (Mehta, n.d.), thus, it is safer and faster than other transport systems.
References
Agarwal, R. (n.d.). Advantages and disadvantages of road transport. Retrieved from http://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/geography/transportation/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-road-transport/42135/
Mehta, P. (n.d.). Advantages and disadvantages of air transport. Retrieved from http://www.economicsdiscussion.net/articles/air-transport-advantages-and-disadvantages/2179
Rodrigue, J.P., & Slack, B. (2017). Intermodal transportation and containerization. Retrieved from https://people.hofstra.edu/geotrans/eng/ch3en/conc3en/ch3c6en.html
Rushton, A., Croucher, P., & Baker, P. (2014). The handbook of logistics and distribution management. (5th ed.). New York: McGraw Hill Education.
