ESCUELA SUPERIOR POLITÉCNICA DE LITORAL

FACULTAD DE CIENCIAS NATURALES Y MATEMÁTICAS

REPORT ON TRANSPORTATION GEOGRAPHY

AND ITS IMPORTANCE IN UNDERSTANDING
TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS

Author:
Sánchez Ruiz Jeremy André

Teacher:
Ing. García Herrera Alisson Maurinne

Ecuador – Guayaquil

2023
Índex
Introduction .................................................................................................................................3
Development ................................................................................................................................3
The basic principles of transportation geography Transportation is the spatial link of derived
demand. ...................................................................................................................................3
Distance is a relative concept that involves space, time, and effort. ........................................3
Space is concomitantly the generator, support and restriction for mobility. ............................4
The relationship between space and time can converge or diverge. ........................................4
A location can be central, generating and attractive to traffic, or an intermediate element
through which traffic transition. ...............................................................................................5
To overcome geography, transportation requires a footprint. ..................................................6
Transport seeks massification, but is limited by fragmentation. ...............................................7
Speed is a modal, intermodal and managerial effort. ...............................................................7
operational differences between passenger and freight transport. .............................................7
the importance of transport in several dimensions: historical, social, political, economic and
environmental. Provide examples to illustrate each dimension. ..................................................8
Interaction in the concepts of transport nodes, networks and demand and their interaction to
facilitate movements. .................................................................................................................10
Conclusión ..................................................................................................................................10
Bibliography ...............................................................................................................................10
Introduction
Transportation geography looks at both the physical and human aspects of
transportation. In physical terms, factors such as topography, climate and geology that
influence the construction and location of transport infrastructure are considered.
The aspects that people influence are the planning and design of transportation
systems, infrastructure investment decisions, transportation policies, the spatial
distribution of economic activities, and people's travel patterns.
Transport geographers use spatial analysis techniques and theoretical models to
understand how transport patterns and physical connectivity affect rural development,
economic activity and people's quality of life.
Your work can contribute to transport planning, traffic management, decision-making
on sustainable transport policies and improving the efficiency and safety of transport
systems.
The sole purpose of transportation is to provide the mobility of people and goods from
one place to another in an efficient and safe manner. Transport is essential to society
and plays a crucial role in the economy, trade, tourism and people's daily lives.

Development
The basic principles of transportation geography Transportation is the spatial link
of derived demand.
Transport is, in fact, a fundamental element in satisfying derived demand, also known
as secondary demand or generated demand. This demand originates as a result of the
primary demand for goods and services in the economy.
In addition to facilitating the exchange of goods, transportation also plays a crucial role
in the movement of people, allowing people to move between their homes, workplaces,
educational centers, and other destinations, thus boosting economic and social activity.

Distance is a relative concept that involves space, time, and effort.

Well with respect, distance is a relative concept that involves several aspects, such as
physical space, time, necessary effort (such as cost or time required to travel it) and
subjective perception.

These distances are typically measured in units of length, such as meters, kilometers,
miles, etc. Indicates the amount of physical space between two locations or landmarks.

As for time, distance can take into account the duration required to travel a certain
distance.
In short, distance implies a spatial separation between two points, but you can also
consider the time required to travel it and the effort required to do so.

Space is concomitantly the generator, support and restriction for mobility.

Space can be considered as the generator, support and constraint for mobility in
various ways, with respect to the generator it provides the physical environment in
which mobility occurs. It is the stage where people and objects move and move.

In the aspect of support, it implies the space where it acts as a support for mobility by
providing the necessary elements to make it possible. This includes infrastructure such
as streets, roads, bridges, public transportation systems, stations, airports, and
terminals, as well as the buildings that house people and vehicles.

And finally the aspect of restriction, Although space facilitates mobility, it also imposes
restrictions and limitations. Space may be subject to geographic, topographic, or
planning restrictions that may limit movement patterns and access to certain areas.

The relationship between space and time can converge or diverge.

In the context of relativity, the relationship between space and time can present
characteristics that are described as convergent or divergent. This is related to the
theory of relativity.

In general relativity, space and time are combined into one entity called spacetime.
Space-time is a four-dimensional structure in which events occur and the trajectories of
objects are traced. The curvature of space-time is determined by the presence of mass
and energy in the universe. (Einstein., 2023)

In summary, in general relativity, the relationship between space and time is affected by
the curvature of space-time, which can converge or diverge depending on the
distribution of mass and energy in the universe.
 Figure 2. Image on the whole theory of relativity

A location can be central, generating and attractive to traffic, or an intermediate

element through which traffic transition.
Yes, a location can be classified in different ways based on its relationship to traffic and
its ability to attract people.Central location refers to a location that is in the heart or
center of a geographic area or city. These central locations are often hubs with high
activity and attractiveness for traffic, both pedestrian and vehicular.Instead, the
generated location is that type of location that has the ability to generate high traffic
flow on its own. It can be due to various reasons, such as the presence of a major
attraction or point of interest, a special event, a transportation terminal, or relevant
infrastructure.

Figure 3. Intermediate cities as sustainable development.

Finally, we have the intermediate traffic location that tries to locate an intermediate
position within a traffic network. It can be a connection point between different routes or
main roads, and acts as a link for the flow of traffic between these areas.

To overcome geography, transportation requires a footprint.

The "spatial footprint of transport" is defined as an indicator in m² that represents the

area devoted to transport in the city. It represents the space consumed by the different
transportation systems, their infrastructure (roads, parking lots, sidewalks, bike lanes,
etc.) and their economic and environmental impact.. (Transportshaker, 2022).

Yes, it is true that transportation requires an environmental footprint to overcome

geographic barriers. The movement of people and goods over long distances implies
the use of vehicles and means of transport that consume energy and emit greenhouse
gases and other pollutants.

The environmental footprint of transport includes various aspects, such as exhaust gas
emissions from vehicles, waste generation, consumption of fossil fuels and the
occupation of physical space. These impacts can have negative consequences for the
environment, such as air and water pollution, deforestation and land degradation.

Figure 4. Spatial footprint of transport

Transport seeks massification, but is limited by fragmentation.
The purpose of transportation should be mass, ie. the objective is to get a large
number of people to use different means of transport. However, this objective is limited
by atomization.

Diffusion refers to the fragmentation and expansion of transport services. Many

places have different transport operators and service providers, each with their own
networks and systems. This can lead to a lack of coordination and difficulties in the
effective integration of different modes.

Speed is a modal, intermodal and managerial effort.

Speed can be an important factor in transportation and logistics, but it is not considered
a modal, intermodal, or managerial effort in and of itself. It is rather a result of decisions
and actions related to the choice of modes of transport, the combination of different
modes and the proper management of the supply chain.

operational differences between

passenger and freight transport.
Passenger and freight transport are the two main drivers of mobility in any society.
Although both modes of transport share some similarities in terms of infrastructure and
means of transport, they also have significant differences in operation.
In terms of cost, passenger transportation generally implies a low cost per person
compared to merchandise transportation, this is due to passengers who can share the
cost of travel, especially in public transportation systems. On the other hand,
merchandise could be more expensive due to the need for specialized vehicles for
cargo, whether it be the use of packaging, insurance, and additional fees.
In part of the time passenger transportation generally focuses on efficiency and speed
to provide a fast and comfortable ride. Routes and schedules are designed to minimize
travel time for passengers. On the other hand, freight transport can be more flexible in
terms of time, since the main focus is the safe and timely delivery of the goods.
On the capacity side, passenger transportation is generally based on vehicles designed
to carry a specific number of people. These vehicles, such as cars, buses, or
passenger planes, are configured to optimize passenger comfort and capacity. On the
other hand, freight transport focuses on load capacity. Cargo vehicles, such as trucks
or ships, are designed to transport large volumes of goods and have a much higher
carrying capacity compared to passenger vehicles.
And finally, the nature of goods in passenger transport involves people and their safety
and comfort are a priority. Regulations and safety requirements are geared towards the
protection of passengers. On the other hand, freight transport is more focused on the
handling of goods and may require different security measures and regulations.
the importance of transport in several
dimensions: historical, social, political,
economic and environmental. Provide
examples to illustrate each dimension.
Transportation plays a crucial role in several dimensions, including historical, social,
political, economic, and environmental. Here are examples to illustrate each of these
dimensions.

• Historical

Transportation has been essential for the development and expansion of civilizations
throughout history. An example is the Silk Road, a network of trade routes that
connected China with Europe, and that allowed the exchange of goods, knowledge,
and cultures between different regions.

Figure 5. The route of the Silk Road will cover an area inhabited by almost half of
humanity.
•Social

Transportation plays an important role in people's daily lives and social interaction. For
example, public transportation in cities allows people to access jobs, education, health
services, and recreation. It also facilitates the connection between communities and
promotes social inclusion by allowing people from different backgrounds to interact.

•Policy

Transport has political implications, since it is closely linked to infrastructure and public
policies. For example, the development of a road network or a rail system may be a
political priority to improve connectivity and promote economic development in certain
regions. Decisions about investments in transport infrastructure can also have political
implications in terms of resource allocation and regional development

• Economic

Transportation is critical to trade and the economy in general. For example, maritime
transport allows the exchange of merchandise at a global level, facilitating international
trade. In addition, efficient and reliable transportation is crucial to many companies'
supply chains, enabling the movement of products from production sites to consumer
markets.

• Environmental

Transportation has a significant impact on the environment. For example, vehicles that
use fossil fuels emit greenhouse gases, contributing to climate change and air
pollution. However, there are also more sustainable forms of transport, such as electric
public transport, cycling or walking, which can help reduce emissions and improve air
quality in cities.
Interaction in the concepts of transport
nodes, networks and demand and their
interaction to facilitate movements.
Transport nodes and transport networks are interconnected, since the nodes depend
on the networks to facilitate movements between them. The transport nodes are
strategically located within the network to allow the efficient transfer and distribution of
passengers and merchandise. The effectiveness of the nodes depends on the quality
and capacity of the transport network.
Likewise, the demand for transport can vary at different times and conditions, which
requires efficient management of the capacity of nodes and networks. This may involve
the use of traffic management technologies, the implementation of flexible hours, or the
adoption of public transport strategies to balance supply and demand.

Conclusión
Transport geography perspectives focus on technology and digitization, sustainability,
urban growth, globalization and infrastructure development. These factors are shaping
the way transportation systems are planned, operated, and managed, and
transportation geography plays a crucial role in understanding and addressing these
challenges.

Bibliography
https://www.comunidadandina.org/temas/dg2/transporte-de-
pasajeros-y-mercancias/

https://www.granma.cu/mundo/2014-11-06/se-reedita-la-ruta-de-
la-seda

https://retos-operaciones-logistica.eae.es/la-demanda-derivada-
y-sus-efectos-en-la-cadena-de-
suministro/#:~:text=Las%20empresas%20transportistas%2C%2
0as%C3%AD%20como%20los%203Pl%20o,por%20lo%20tanto
%2C%20derivada%20de%20estas%20otras%20actividades