Transportation Engineering

Transportation engineering is a very diverse and multidisciplinary field, which deals

with the planning, design, operation and maintenance of transportation systems. Good
transportation is that which provides safe, rapid, comfortable, convenient, economical,
and environmentally compatible movement of both goods and people.
ROLE OF TRANSPORT IN SOCIETY
Transport is a key infrastructure of a country. The economic status of a nation can be
judged by the extent and scale of transportation existing in the country. Transportation
is a vital activity in a society affecting its overall economy, trade, administration and
defence.
Transportation is vital for the economic development of any region since every
Commodity produced whether it is food, clothing, industrial products or medicine needs
transport at all stages from production to distribution. In the production stage
transportation is reuired for carrying raw materials like seeds, manure, coal, steel etc. In
the distribution stage Transportation is reuired from the production centres vi!" farms
and factories to the marketing centres and later to the retailers and the consumers for
distribution These above are some of the necessities which make us to use transportation.
The importance and adeuacy of transportation system of a country indicates its
economic and social development.
Economic Activity: Two important factors well known in economic activity are#
$roduction or supply and
Consumption for human wants or demand.
Social Effects: The various social effects of transportation may be further classified into#
%ectionalism and transportation
Concentration of population into urban area
&spect of safety, law and order.
Scope an f!nctions of transportation
The purpose of a transportation system is to coordinate the movement of people, goods
and vehicles in order to utili!e routes most efficiently. 'hen implemented, transportation
systems seek to reduce transport costs and improve delivery times through effective
timetabling and route management. $eriodic re(evaluations and the development of
alternative routes allow for timely changes to the transportation system in order to
maintain efficiency. %tandard transportation system will usually feature multiple
timetables designed to inform the user of where each vehicle in the fleet is expected to be
at any given point in time. These timetables are developed alongside an array of route
plans designed to coordinate vehicle movements in a way that prevents bottlenecks in any
one location
)
Role of Roas in Inia in ac"ieving speey economic evelopment#
*oads in India perform a variety of roles in achieving speedy economic development.
%ome of the important aspects are discussed below#
Connection to villages: India is a country having +,-,--- villages, scattered into
small habitations and often located in the extreme interior. Thus social uplift, health
and education of the village population is aided by roads.
Comm!nications in "illy terrain# .or the hill states located along the /imalayan
range, communication facility is possible only by roads because of the steep terrain
involved.
Strategic importance: The defence of the northern, north(eastern and western
borders of the country is dependent to a large extent on the road system.
$elps agric!lt!ral evelopment# *oads have fostered uicker agricultural
development facilitating movement of modern inputs such as fertili!ers and high
yielding seeds.
$elps airy evelopment# %ince the cattle wealth of the nation is concentrated in
innumerable villages and small habitations, the collection and processing of surplus
milk only because of roads.
Forestry evelopment: The forest wealth of the country is being exploited mainly
because of the roads which penetrate in to the thick jungles.
Fis"eries %evelopment: The 0evelopment of the fisheries along the coast line has
been rendered possible because of the construction of link roads leading to the coast.
To!rism %evelopment: %ome of the ancient monuments, religious places, natural
parks and sanctuaries are accessible only roads. Tourism, both domestic and
international, has been greatly aided by roads serving such as places of interest.
Employment: &s already stated, roads and road transport provide employment to a
large number of people in the country. %ince road construction involves labour
intensive techniues in India, the large unemployed labour force gets gainful
employment.
Famine an floo relief: *oads have helped operations pertaining to flood and
famine relief. The affected people are freuently employed on road construction to
build durable assets.
Aministrative convenience: *oads have helped the effective administration of this
large country. 1aintenance of law and order and dispensation of justice have been
aided by roads.
2ational integration and cohesion have been brought about by roads which traverse
the length and breath of the country and which link people from different parts
together.
Reasons for t"e poor state of roa evelopment in Inia
The poor state of road development in India in the past may be due to the following
reasons#
). There was no planned development of roads in the country up to the initiation
of 2agpur *oad plan in the year ),34.5nly during the five(year plans since
),+)" the development works were speeded up.
6. The investment even today on the road development programme is much
lower than the revenue from the road transport.
4. $oor economic conditions of the vast majority of the population in villages
prohibit the owing of private vehicles and discourage the use of transport.
6
TRANSPORTATION IN IN%IA TO%AY
India has a reasonably good transportation system, covering many modes. India7s
economy depends upon its transportation system to a large extent. The moderni!ation
of the present system will greatly facilitate the speedy economic growth of the
country.
&O%ES OF TRANSPORT
There are several modes of transport which can be developed by a country. In India,
the principal modes exist are#
8a9 *oads
8b9 *ailways
8c9 &ir Transport
8d9 %hipping
8e9 Inland 'ater Transport
8f9 $ipelines
8g9 *opeways
In addition, multi(modal transport, which combines more than one mode, also exists.
:rban transport is a special subject by itself, though it is mainly served by roads and
railways.
Role of Eac" &oe of Transport: ;ach mode of transport has its own role to play in a
country. In India, the role of each is as under#
Roas:
*oad transport carries <- per cent of the passenger transport and =- per cent of the
goods movement. Its role in passenger transport is confirmed to short distances and in
urban transport. In goods transport, its role is to collect and distribute the goods and to
carry the goods over short and medium hauls. .or long distance it deals with high
value goods.
Rail'ays:
*ailways carry long distance passenger traffic and suburban passenger traffic. .or
goods movement, they are suited for haulage of low rated 8coal, ores, food(grains,
fertilisers, etc.9 over long distances.
Air Transport:
&ir transport is suited for long distance passenger movement where speed of travel is
the main criterion.
S"ipping:
1ost international trade in goods takes place through overseas shipping. Coastal
shipping can handle goods movement along the coast of the country.
Inlan (ater Transport )I(T*:
This mode takes place along perennial rivers 8>rahmaputra, Ganges, etc.9, canals and
backwaters. >oth passengers and goods are moved.
Pipelines:
$ipelines are ideal for long distance transport of petroleum crude and products and
gas.
Rope'ays:
*opeways find application in extremely difficult hilly locations, both for goods and
passenger movement.
4
Avantages an %isavantages of Eac" &oe
The following table summarises the advantages and disadvantages of the principal
modes of transport #
%l.
2o.
1ode &dvantages 0isadvantages
) *oads ). &ccessible to remote parts
6. .lexibility to deal with changes
in demand
4. $rovides personal transport
3. Generates high employment
+. *easonably good speed 8upto
)6- ?m@hr9
=. & good mode for urban travel
A. Cheap mode
). Bery poor safety record.
&bout ,-,--- people get killed
from *oad &ccidents in India
every year.
6. /igh environmental pollution
8air uality, noise, etc.9
4. /igh consumption of fuel,
particularly liuid petroleum
products
6 *ailways ). Good safety record
6. Good energy efficiency
4. 2on(polluting
3. Good comfort for passengers
+. *easonably good speed 8upto
)6- ?m@hr9
=. Cheap mode
A. Can run on electricity
). Cannot reach remote parts
6. Cacks flexibility to deal with
changes in demand
4. There is government
monopoly leading to
inefficiency
4 &ir
Transport
). Bery high speed 8speeds
upto)--- ?m@hr are possible9
6. Bery good comfort
4. Good record of safety
3. Cow pollution
). /igh energy consumption,
and solely dependent on
petroleum products
6. Bery costly
3 %hipping ). Good energy efficiency
6. 2on(polluting
4. Good record of safety
3. Good comfort
). Cow speeds, particularly for
international passenger travel
+ Inland
'ater
Transport
). 2on(polluting
6. Good energy efficiency
4. Good employment generation
3. Cheap
). %low speed of travel
6. Can operate only on perennial
rivers and canals
= $ipelines ).2on(polluting 82o environmental
pollution9
6. Good safety
4. Cheap 8economical to construct, consumes
very little land D 1aintenance cost is very low.9
3. Good energy efficiency
+.It does not have problem of
return of empty wagons or trucks
=.There are no chances of
pilferage and theft
A. The flow has a high degree of
flexibility, and can be turned on or
shut off as desired.
). Can handle only liuids and
gases
3
INDIAS TRANSPORT SYSTEM: AN OVERVIEW
+# Roas:
In India, *oad infrastructure is used to transport over =- per cent of total goods and <+
per cent of total passenger traffic. *oad network provides the arterial network to facilitate
trade, transport, social integration and economic development. Transportation by road has
the advantage over other means of transport because of its easy accessibility, flexibility of
operations, door(to(door service and reliability. The total road length in India increased
more than )) times during the =- years between ),+) and 6-)). .rom 4.,, lakh kilometer
as on 4) 1arch ),+), the road length increased to 3=.,- lakh kilometers as on 4) 1arch
6-)).
The road network of 3=.,- lakh km. has road density of ).34 km per suare km6. It
consists of 2ational /ighways, ;xpressways, %tate /ighways, 1ajor 0istricts *oads,
other 0istricts *oads and Billage *oads with the following length distribution
National Highways /
Expressway
79,116 km
State Highways 1,55,716 km
Other Roas !!,55,"1" km
Indias road network of 33 lakh km is the second largest in the
world. The break-up of the length is as under:
Lengt" ),m*
;xpressways 6--
2ational /ighways A,,634
%tate /ighways ),4),<,,
1ajor 0istrict *oads 3,=A,A=4
*ural *oads D other roads 6=,+-,---
Total lengt" )Appro-* ../00/000
In spite of the impressive network length, the road system suers
from several de!ciencies, such as:
"nly half the length is surfaced 8+4.<4 per cent of total road length9
"nly #$ per cent of the countrys villages are connected
"nly %&& 'm of high speed ()pressways e)ist
There is severe congestion in the highways
*everal railway level crossings e)ist
There is a need to provide bypasses to several towns and
cities
The road pavement is grossly de!cient
*evere overloading of trucks take place
+unds for maintenance are meagre
The ,overnment of India have taken up the following
ambitious schemes to overcome the de!ciencies:
-ational .ighway /evelopment 0ro1ect 2-./03
+
0radhan 4antri ,rameen *adak 5o1ana 204,*53 which aims at
connecting all villages with a population of above #&& by the
year %&6#.
The central and state governments have now undertaken
several road pro1ects on a 0ublic 0rivate 0artnership, collecting tolls
to recoup the investments.
-ational .ighways are owned by the ,overnment of India.
6. Rail'ays
Indian *ailways, wholly owned by the Government, have a route length of =4,+--
?m, and are the &siaEs largest and the worldEs second largest state owned system
under a single management. )A,+-- ?ms of the route length is electrified. &bout +3--
million passengers travel on the railways every year and about =-- million tonnes of
goods are moved.
The *ailways have major schemes on hand such as #
F extension of electrification
F conversion of metre gauge sections to broad gauge 8:nigauge programme9
F doubling of track provision of dedicated freight corridors
1etro rail systems exist in ?olkata and 0elhi and are being planned for >angalore,
/yderabad and 1umbai.
.# Air Transport
&ir traffic in India is growing at a rapid rate. There are == airports in India. There are
several airlines operating the services, including the government owned &ir India and
many private airlines. &ir transport accounts for 36 billion passenger(km, compared to
,3- billion pass(km by *ailways and ++-- billion pass(km by roads. The government
have recently entrusted the modernisation of 0elhi and 1umbai airports to private
entrepreneurs.
3 S"ipping
IndiaEs external trade mainly takes place through oceanic shipping. There are about
,-- ocean(going vessels with a dead weight tonnage of )- mil tonnes. There are ))
major ports and )4, minor ports in the country. Coastal shipping takes place mainly
through the minor ports.
+ Inlan (ater Transport
Inland 'ater Transport takes place on a limited scale in the Ganga and >rahmaputra
rivers, some canals and backwaters of ?erala. >oth passenger and goods transport
takes place.
= Pipelines
$ipelines are one of the transport systems where a continuous flow takes place. They
are ideal for the transport of liuids, gases and solids in a slurry form across land or
under sea. $ipelines in India carry petroleum products 8for example ?andla to
>hatinda9, gas 8for example /a!ira(Bijaipur(Gagdishpur line # 6,<-- km long9, and
iron ore in a slurry form 8for example ?udremukh mines to 2ew 1angalore $ort9. &
major gas pipe line to transport Iran gas to India through $akistan is currently being
planned. The *eliance group are contemplating a network of gas pipes to transport the
gas from the newly discovered gas reserves in the ?rishna(Godavari off(shore basin.
A Rope'ays
=
*opeways, also known as aerial ropeways, consist of a cable suspended between
towers and cars 8or cabs9 moving on them. They are particularly suited for hilly
regions where deep gorges make the construction of roads and bridges costly. They
can also be used for transporting new materials for a plant or for placing concrete for
high dams. The towers 8trestles9 are made of steel. The cables are made of stranded
wires. The cabs have rollers moving on the cables.
< &!lti1moal Transport
5ne of the recent revolutions in transport is the use of containers in which the goods
are stuffed. The advantage is that the goods are well protected from damage and that
the containers can move on various modes such as road 8in trucks and trailers9,
railways 8on flat wagons9, ships and barges and air 8in aeroplanes9. This system,
involving various modes, is known as multi(modal transport. .or transshipment from
one mode to another, cranes of suitable capacity are employed.
, 2r3an Transport
India is essentially a rural(oriented economy, with only 6< per cent living in towns
and cities. >ut with increasing urbani!ation, the percentage of people living in cities
will increase. The movement of people within towns and cities is a serious problem
since the streets of most towns and cities were not planned to accommodate the
exploding number of cars, two wheelers and cycles.
The problem can be solved by various measures as #
F making public transport 8buses, suburban trains, taxis and auto rickshaws9 attractive
and cheap,
F constructing new 1etro lines, as in 0elhi and ?olkata,
F dispersal of commercial activity to various centres of the cities instead of
concentrating them at the city centre, and
F constructing bypasses and ring roads so that through traffic does not enter the city.
2r3an Transport Pro3lem
*apid urbani!ation is taking place in India. The current urban population proportion
of 6< per cent may reach 3- per cent in the coming decades. %ide by side, the
population of vehicles is growing at more than )- per cent per annum. These have
created serious problems of transport in towns and cities. %ome of the problems are#
8a9 %evere congestion on the streets
8b9 0elays at intersections
8c9 $arking problems
8d9 /igh level of pollution
8e9 %erious accident situation on roads
:rgent measures are needed to overcome these problems. 1odern transport systems
provide possible situations.
Improvements to P!3lic 4!s Transport
%ince buses carry a large number of passengers, improvements in bus transport is a
cheap solution. %ome of the possible improvements are #
8a9 ;xclusive >us Canes, where only buses can run. The /igh Capacity >us %ystem
8/C>%9 being planned in 0elhi is one such.
8b9 Introduction of buses with low floors, so that passengers can get in and get out
easily.
8c9 Introduction of vestibule buses, doubling the seating capacity.
Lig"t Rail Transit )LRT*
A
Cight *ail Transit is also known by the name train. C*T can be run on the surface if
road space is available 8as in ?olkata9 or as elevated, with pillars located in the
median of roads. It can carry upto 6-,--- persons per hour per direction.
Rapi Rail Transit )&etro Rail*
*apid *ail Transit systems, also called 1etro *ail systems, can carry =-,--- persons
per hour per direction. They can be surface, elevated or underground. The 1etro *ail
of 0elhi is a good example. The ?olkata 1etro, )=.3 ?m long, has cost about *s.
),--- crores 8cost at ),<-(,-9. &t current prices, the system may cost about *s. )--(
6-- crores per ?m.
CONTIN2O2S FLO( SYSTE&S
Transport by road, rail, air or ships takes place in vehicles which move along a path at
intervals. &s against this, continuous flow systems are those where the flow is
continuous and not at intervals. $ipelines and conveyors are typical examples. 'e
may consider ropeways also in this category though the cars 8or buckets9 can travel
continuously or intermittently as one desires.
4elt Conveyors
>elt conveyors are used for conveying materials on a continuous basis. The materials
usually handled are coal, mineral ores and stone. They are commonly installed near
cement plants, thermal power stations, ports for handling bulk cargo and stone
crushers. The components of the system are #
8a9 belts which are continuous
8b9 idlers, which are rollers on which the belt moves
Passenger Conveyors
$assenger conveyors are used at locations where a large concentration of passengers
has to be moved from one place to another. ;scalators are used to convey passengers
from one level to another. ;xamples of location of passenger conveyors are #
8a9 &irport passenger terminals
8b9 1etro rail 8for example 0elhi9
8c9 %hopping 1alls 8in 0elhi and other cities9
The speed at which passengers are moved in passenger conveyors at one level is about
).-().+ m@sec to make it comfortable. The speed of escalators is about -.+().- m@sec
to make it comfortable for alighting and embarking passengers.
INTER&O%AL TRANSPORT
'hen more than one mode of transport is involved in the transport of goods, it
becomes advantageous to resort to a system which eliminates delays, damages and
inconveniences in transfers. The most popular form of intermodal transport is
HcontainerisationH. The advantages of containerisation are #
). Increase in productivity and reduction in cost because rehandling costs and
delays are avoided.
6. The goods need not be packaged elaborately inside a container.
4. The container is reusuable.
3. 0amages and pilferage are reduced
+. 0irty cargoes like bones and hides can be packed inside a container thus
eliminating human misery.
<
&part from the use of containers, inter(modal transport takes other forms too. Three.
popular forms are:
). $iggy(back, in which a truck is transported on flat railway wagons.
6. *oad(railer, in which a truck can also be made to run on rails.
4. *5*5 8*oll(5n(*oll(5ff9 in which trucks can be loaded onto ships
,
Avantages an isavantages of roa transport:
+# (ie 5eograp"ical Coverage provie 3y roas: *oads can be constructed to
penetrate the interior of any region and to connect remote villages. The advantage
becomes particularly evident when planning the communication system in hilly
regions and sparsely populated areas.
6# Lo' Capital investment: *oads can be constructed at comparatively lower initial
cost than railways. The cost of roads varies with specifications, but even the best road
is cheaper than a railway line.
.# 7!ic8 an ass!re eliveries: Time is great value for a wide range of articles"
including both perishables and high value is manufactured products. *oad transport
by its uick deliveries reduces the need for larger inventories and locking up of
working capital a great cost.
9# Fle-i3ility: *oad transport offers a flexible service, free from fixed schedules. &ny
number of trucks or buses can be pressed into service uickly to meet sudden demand
or withdrawn .%uch a flexibility is absent in railways, which operate generally
according to fixed schedules.
:# %oor1to1oor services: *oad transport offers door(to(door service, free from
transshipments from origin to destination. *ailways on the other hand have to depend
upon road transport for picking up loads and making deliveries.
;# Simpler pac8aging: *oad transport permits simpler packaging and crating for the
protection of goods against breakage.
<# Personali=e service: & personal touch is generally present in road transport. The
customer is given in individuali!ed attention in various matters.
># Employment potential: *oad transport has a high employment potential. This is
an important factor in a country with a large and employment problem.
?# Personali=e travel: Travel by private car or motori!ed two wheeler or even a
cycle, satisfies personal pleasures. This is one of the main reasons for the popularity
of personali!ed travel mode in the developed countries.
+0# S"ort "a!ls: .or short hauls transport is there only economical means if a major
project is to be constructed and is the construction materials have to be transported
through short distances one turns only to road transport.
++# Safety: 5ne of the serious advantages of road transport is its poor record of safety.
*oad accidents have become a serious menace, claiming enormous economic loss to
the nation.
+6# Environmental poll!tion: *oad transport has been one of the major causes for
environmental pollution, noise fumes, vibration, loss of aesthetics, ribbon
development these are the some ill effects.
+.# Par8ing pro3lem: *oad transport has caused parking problem of serious
proportions in city streets.
+9# Long "a!ls: It has been found that most commodity movements are cheaper by
road for short hauls up to 4--(4+- kms, but beyond this range, the cost advantage lies
with the railways.
+:# Energy: *oad transport consumes greater energy per passenger km and tonne km
than railways.
)-
Comparison 3et'een Roa'ays an Rail'ays
Item *oadways *ailways
) Construction of route# In roadways, these routes
consist of suitable pavement of
specified width provided usually
with shoulders on either side.
In railways, the routes
consist of pair of steel rails
which are laid parallel to
each other on sleepers at
fixed distance apart.
6 %uitability to traffic# In roadways, routes are meant
for movement of different types,
of traffic such as buses, trucks,
scooters, rickshaws, cycles,
pedestrians etc.
The railway routes are
meant only for movement
of trains.
4 'idth of right(of(way# The roadway routes reuire
more width of right(of(way.
The railway routes reuire
less width of right(of(way.
3 %tarting and
destinations#
In roadways, starting and
destination points of traffic are
not fixed.
In railways, starting and
destination points of trains
are always fixed.
+ *ight of entry# In roadways, the right of entry is
free to all vehicles because their
movements are not according to
any schedule.
In railways, the right of
entry is not free to all
railway vehicles because
their movements are
always according to
schedule.
= %trength of route# The reuired strength of
roadways is less.
The reuired strength of
railway tracks is more.
A ;lasticity# The roadway routes do not
reuire an elastic structure since
they are not to withstand
impacts of heavy wheel loads.
The railway routes reuire
an elastic structure to
withstand impact of heavy
wheel loads.
< Gradients and curves# In roadways, the routes can be
constructed with steep gradients
and sharp curves. Thus, route
length in their case is less.
In railways, these routes
cannot be constructed with
steep gradients and flat
curves. Thus, route length
in their case is more.
, Tractive resistance# The tractive resistance of
roadway routes is high 8+ to =
times the tractive resistance in
case of railway9.
The tractive resistance of
railway routes is low 8)@+th
to )@=th the tractive
resistance in case of
roadways9.
)- Coad handling
capacity#
The load handling capacity of
road vehicles is less and that too
at low speeds.
Coad handling capacity of
railway vehicles is more
and that too at high
speeds.
)) *euirement of turning
devices#
In roadways, no special turning
devices are constructed for
turning vehicles on these routes.
))
)6 5perational control
devices#
In roadways, no special
operational control devices in
the form of signaling and
interlocking are reuired on
these routes for safe and
efficient movement of vehicles.
In railways, special
operational control devices
in the form of signaling
and interlocking are
reuired on these routes for
safe and efficient
movements of trains as per
schedule.
)4 %uitability to
transportation of people
and goods#
Transportation of people and
light goods for short
distances8upto +-- km9 is
convenient and cheap by
roadway routes.
Transport of people and
heavy goods like raw
materials, coal, ores, etc.
for long distance or
manufacturing concerns is
convenient and cheap by
railway routes.
)3
&daptability to type and
si!e of goods#
&ll types and si!es of goods
cannot be handled by road
vehicles.
&lmost all types and si!es
of goods can be handled by
the trains.
)+ %uitability for hilly
area#
*oadway vehicles are more
suitable for hilly area.
*ailway vehicles are less
suitable for hilly area.
)= ;mployment potential# *oadways have less
employment potential.
*ailways have high
employment potential.
)A
Construction and
maintenance cost#
The construction and
maintenance cost of roadway
vehicles is less.
In case of railway vehicles,
the cost is more.
.
)6