Trade is the exchange of goods and services from one person to another mostly done in exchange of money. Boris Blanche believes that transport is the movement of people,animal and goods from one place to another.There is a perfect correlation between trade and transport. Transport enables people to trade which is essential in development of any society.
There are different types of transportation. This includes air, water and land transportation. Air tends to be the fastest mode of transport. It is very favorable for long distance, and saves time therefore passengers and goods can be transported on time. It is cost effective when it comes to construction as only airports needs to be constructed. This mode of transport is not prone to physical barriers unlike other modes of transportation.
In contrary, air transport is costly hence not affordable to the middle and lower class people. Huge investment is also needed for creation of aviation facilities, construction and maintenance of airports and control mechanisms.
Water is one of the cheapest means of transport.it does not require huge capital investment and maintenance since it operates on natural track. It is suitable for transportation of bulky goods over long distances; has the largest carrying capacity. Therefore playing a key role in foreign trade as it links different parts of the world closer. Although, this kind of transportation is time consuming and therefore not suitable for perishable good and small traders, it also serves over limited areas which have deep canals and rivers.
Road transport is the most common for trade for it is easier to deliver orders to clients. It requires less capital to construct,operate and maintain roads in comparison to air transport. This kind of transport offers door to door services thus reducing loading and unloading cost. This makes it outstanding.
Exchange of goods and services is possible both far and near areas through road transport. It is convenient due to its flexibility according to routes and timing. Over short distances, it is economic and quick for carrying good and services. It is advantageous for big businessmen who can afford to buy their own vehicles and market products without delay. The shortcomings of this kind of transport includes, frequent breakdown leading to accidents, slow speed thus not time effective for long distance
Transportation has a great impact in the society. Its economic impact is that it allows production and consumption of products at different locations through trade. Economic growth has always been dependent on increasing the capacity rationality of transport. Transportation creates time and place utilities thus increasing the economic value of a product. It helps in moving the raw materials from the supplier to the warehouse and the final products to the consumer.
To the environment, transport is a major use of energy and burns petroleum which causes air pollution leading to global warming due to emission of carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide. To solve this problem, some pathways to reduce carbon emission of vehicles have been set up. This includes the call for transition from road transport to rail and human powered transport. Also increased transport electrification and energy efficiency has been put in place.
Transport has also led to job opportunities in construction and management.This leads to economic growth and better standards of living for all different countries.
