Chapter 2

TRANSPORTATION AS A SYSTEM
Lesson Outcome:
At the end of this chapter, students were able to:
 Describe transportation system and define each factor that affects it.
 Estimate and identify the costs of each transport mode in a given problem.
 Recognize the role of each category in the organization involves in transportation system.
Chapter Outline:
 Transportation System
 Developing a Transport System
 Factors Affecting Transportation System
 Selection of Mode of Transport
 Supply and Demand
 Transport Technology
 Environmental Impacts
 Policy and Regulations
 Public Transportation
 Transportation Organizations
Based on develop nations, transportation system is an aggregation of vehicles, guide-ways,
terminal facilities and control systems.
These systems are usually operated according to established procedures and schedules in the air,
on land and on water.
Transportation system has always evolved over a period of time and is the result of many
independent actions taken by the private and public sectors, which act in their own or the public’s
interest.
2 Kinds of Traffic in the Transportation System
 Freight – refers to goods or items being transported.
 Passenger – refers to people or services that provides.

DEVELOPING A TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM

Over a nations century, attempts of developing a transport planning system usually results to a
little success.
Engineers and planners failed to recognize the impacts of national system on other transportation
modes to the regional and local developing areas.
In reality, transportation system has been largely variable to the demand of evolving land use area
rather than developing itself first.
As a result of developing a transportation system is severe traffic congestion.
FACTORS AFFECTING TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM
 Selection of Mode of Transport
 Supply and Demand
 Transport Technology
 Environmental Impacts
 Policy and Regulations

 DECISION BASED ON SELECTING MODES OF TRANSPORT

 Each mode has inherent advantages of cost, travel time, convenience, and flexibility that
make it “right for the job” under a certain set of circumstances.
Example:
The automobile is considered to be reliable, comfortable and a flexible form of
personal transportation for many people. However, when distances are great and time is
essential, air transportation will bel selected.
 Selecting a mode to haul freight follows a similar approach.
Example:
Trucks have the advantage of flexibility and ability to provide door-to-door
service where it can deliver or pick up any sizes of parcel that meets on customer’s
schedule.
Waterways can ship heavy commodities at low cost, but only at slow speeds and
between points on a river or canal.
Railroads can haul a wide variety of commodities between any two points, but
usually require truck transportation to deliver the goods to a terminal or to their final
destination.
Sample Problem:
1. An individual is planning to take a business trip between the downtown area of two
cities, A and B, which are 400 miles apart.
There are three options available:
Travel by air. This trip will involve driving to the airport near City A, parking, waiting
at the terminal, flying to airport B, walking to a taxi stand, and taking a taxi to the final
destination.
Travel by auto. This trip will involve driving 400 miles through several congested
areas, parking the downtown area, and walking to the final destination.
Travel by rail. This trip will involve taking a cab to the railroad station in City A, a
direct rail connection to the downtown area in city B, and a short walk to the final
destination.

Since this is a business trip, the person making the trip is willing to pay up to $25
for each hour of travel time reduced by a competing mode. After examining all direct
costs involved in making the trip by air, auto , or rail, the traveler concludes that the trip
by air will cost $250 with a total travel time of 5 hours, the trip by auto will cost $200
 with a total travel time of 8 hours and the trip by rail will cost $150 with a total travel
time of 12 hours.

o Which mode is selected based on travel time and cost factors alone?
o What other factors might be considered by the traveler in making final
selection?
Since travel time is valued at $25/hr, the following cost would be incurred:
Air: 250 + 25(5) = $375
Auto: 200 + 25(8) = $400
Rail: 150 + 25(12) = $450
In this instance, the air transport has the lowest cost and is the selected mode.
However, the traveler may have other reasons to select another alternative. These may
include the following considerations.
Safety. While each of these modes is safe, the traveler may feel “safer” in one
mode than another.
Reliability. If it is very important to attend a meeting, the traveler may select
the mode that will provide the highest probability of an on-time arrival.
Convenience. The number of departures and arrivals provided by each mode
could be a factor.
 INTERACTION OF SUPPLY AND DEMAND
There are two conditions how supply and demand may affect the course of transport
system.
1. The state of economy which produces the demand of transportation
Ex. When unemployment or fuel costs increases, the demand of transportation
decreases.
Ex. When new transport mode is introduced that significantly less costly compared to
the other existing modes.
2. The existing transportation facilities generates the supply of transportation as a level of
service
Ex. The cost of using the bridge is lesser if there is no delay and no traffic congestion
Ex. Travel costs and time increase when passing a traffic congested highway or bridge
since fuel consumption increases while waiting or idling.

To determine the volume (V) can be expected on a certain facility, the demand curve
must intersect with the supply curve because any other value of V will create a shift in demand
either upward or downward until the equilibrium point is reached.
o If the volume increased beyond the equilibrium point, cost would go up and
demand would drop.
 o Likewise, if the volume dropped below equilibrium, cost would go down and
demand would increase.

 TRANSPORTATION TECHNOLOGY
Technology has also contributed to substantial shifts in transportation equilibrium.
A dramatic example was the introduction of jet aircraft, which can minimize the travel
time compare to passenger ship.
The creation of bullet train which can travel as fast as 320 km/hr has becoming popular
nowadays in most developed countries because of its safety and efficiency compare to aircraft.

 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS

Transport system is the major user of energy, and burns out most of the world’s
petroleum.
 This creates air pollution, including nitrous oxides and particles, and significant
contributor to global warming.
To address the situation, the government formulates a variety of regulations and
policies in order to control the oversupply of transportation from private to public transport.

3 Things of Concern in Transportation System

1. ENERGY
2. ENVIRONMENT
3. HIGHWAY
Highway transportation is undoubtedly the primary consumer of fossil fuel and major
contributor of air-borne pollution.
The planner must see to it to balance these important concerns even though highway
has a huge impact to the economy.
One must resolve the inevitable environmental impacts it may cause as economic
growth will worth nothing when environment becomes a disaster.

 TRANSPORTATION POLICY, REGULATIONS AND SAFETY

Government actions can also influence transportation system based on their policies
and regulations when it comes to answering the problems encountered in various concerns.
Transport Policy has been developed to prevent or control the inherent monopolistic
tendency of many transport modes.
Unrestrained competition commonly leads to market dominance by a company, thereby
achieving monopoly power.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
Public transportation - is a generic term used to describe the family of transit services
available to urban and rural residents.
Transit Modes:
 Mass Transit – characterized by fixed routes, published schedules, designated
networks, and specified stops like buses, light rail, jeepneys, etc.
 Paratransit – characterized by flexible and personalized service intended to replace
conventional fixed-route, fixed-schedule mass-transit lines like, car rental, etc.
 Ridesharing (“Pakyawan”) – characterized by two or more persons travelling
together by prearrangement like uber, grab, etc.

TRANSPORTATION ORGANIZATION
Organizations/agencies were essential to the transportation system to functions. Each has a
special function to perform and serves to create a network of individuals who, working together,
furnish the transportation systems and services that presently exist.
7 CATEGORIES OF ORGANIZATION IN TRANSPORTATION
1. PRIVATE COMPANIES – available for hire companies (Transport Companies)
2. REGULATORY AGENCIES – monitors the transport companies (like LTFRB)
3. FEDERAL AGENCIES – legislation for national level (like DOTr)
4. STATE AND LOCAL AGENCIES AND AUTHORITIES – planning, design and
construction (like DPWH)
5. TRADE ASSOCIATIONS – representatives for marketing and business (like Petroleum
companies, Automobile Companies)
6. PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES – planning consultants (like AASHTO)
7. USERS OF TRANSPORT SERVICES – transportation consumer (like CUP)