Transport systems
transport = key human activity; connects peoples & places
enables social interaction + economic trade
core components:
1. network
2. infrastructure
3. modes
characteristics: density ot network, quality of infastructure,
variety or modes
density of transport networks
transport network: nodes (locations) + routes (paths
between nodes)
Node: entry point into the network
route: path for travel between modes
network density:
⁃ refers to number of nodes & routes in an area
⁃ more nodes + routes = denser network
cities usually have dense networks easier access to
locations & activities
quality of transport infrastructure
the reliability and performance of a transport system
depends on the quality of its infastructure,(roads, railways,
walkways, bridges, bicycle lanes, signage, info systems,
ticketing, etc)
variety of transport modes
definition: the movement of people and goods depends on the
range of transport modes available in cities
types of transport modes in cities
1. land, water, air - multiple options provided in urban areas
2. motorised modes (public transport):
⁃ Fixed routes
⁃ stop at specific nodes
⁃ follow time schedules
3. customised services
⁃ point-to-point transport ([Link],private hire)
4. won-motorised modes:
⁃ walking, cycling
⁃ environmentally friendly+ health benefits
5. Shared mobility
⁃ bike- sharing
⁃ car- sharing
Transport nodes in a city
1. unequal importance of nodes
⁃ not all transport nodes play the same role
⁃ two types: major & minor nodes
2. major nodes
terminals
⁃ facilities where passengers/ freight originate or terminate
⁃ example: bus terminal- passengers gather & are dispatched to
different nodes, then end at terminals
interchanges
⁃ points of transfer within or between modes
⁃ ensure continuity of traffic flow
⁃ usually located in areas with high concentration of activities &
high local accessibility
3. passengers vs freight nodes
⁃ passenger nodes often located away from freight nodes
⁃ freight= bulk goods transported by land, sea. Or air
4. concentration of activities
⁃ cities host finance, banking, retail, manufacturing. Leisure, etc
⁃ transport nodes cluster near these activity hubs easier
access for more people
level of Accessibility
accessibility: ease of reaching destinations or activities
high accessibility:
⁃ many destinations can be reached easily, quickly and affordably
key factors
⁃ travel time (shorter = better accessibility)
⁃ travel Cost (lower= better accessibility)
major nodes (eg. Interchanges): usually located in areas with
high accessibility
why transport systems are needed
cities need transport system to meet the demand for
movement
places differ in location, Population,, topography, ressurces
resources are unevenly distributed some places have more,
some less
movement of resource drives
⁃ commuting
⁃ trading
⁃ migration
roles of transport systems
1. movement of people
⁃ facilitates daily mobility and communiting
⁃ jobs often concentrated in city centres; housing may be farther
away for affordability
⁃ physical separation between home and work requires daily travel
2. movement of goods and services
transport also moveS goods & services
movement of goods and services
transport systems are essential for economic activities
⁃ move goods / services from production consumption
e-commerce has increased demand for door- to- door delivery
daily services rely on transport:
⁃ water supply trucks.: eg; mexico city, california during droughts
⁃ Tank trucks: deliver petroleum to petrol kiosks
how transport systems support connection
connection between transport modes
⁃ unimodal journeys: use one transport mode
⁃ intermodal journeys: use two or more transport modes
⁃ example: walk feeder bus train walk
reasons for intermodal journeys
⁃ no direct link to main transport mode
⁃ multiple modes can make travel faster
connection between cities
⁃ transport systems link cities for movements of people, goods and
services
intermodal connectivity
combines strengths of different transport mode to link
networks and reach more destinations
importance
⁃ ensures passengers do not get lost
⁃ ensures goods are not lost during transfers
requirements:
⁃ careful planning
Connectivity
Connection between cities
types of connections
1. direct (point to point)
⁃ connects location directly
⁃ no interruptions or transfers
2. indirect (hub-and-spoke)
⁃ connects location through one intermediary hub