Transportation – JSS3 Business Studies Lesson Note (First Term)

Transportation is the means by which raw materials, finished goods and people are moved from one place to another.

Behavioural objectives

1. Define transportation.
2. State the importance of transportation in commerce.
3. List the four types of transportation.
4. State the advantages and disadvantages of road, rail, air, water and pipeline transport.
5. Choose a suitable type of transport for a given kind of goods.

Why is transportation important in commerce?

Transportation links producers to consumers, so goods reach the people who need them.

1. Widens the market: goods can be sold far from where they are made.
2. Encourages international trade: ships and planes carry goods between countries.
3. Prevents wastage of perishable goods: fish, tomatoes and fruit reach buyers before they spoil.
4. Provides job opportunities: drivers, pilots, sailors, mechanics and loaders earn a living from it.
5. Quickens distribution: goods move faster from factories and markets to shops.
6. Influences the location of industries: factories are often sited near good roads, rail lines or ports.

What are the types of transportation?

There are four types of transportation: land, air, water and pipeline. Land transport is further divided into road and rail.

What is transport by land?

Transport by land is the movement of people and goods from one place to another by road or railway.

What is road transport?

Road transport is the carrying of goods and people on the road by motor vehicles, trailers, buses, carts and bicycles.

• Examples: lorries, tankers, buses, taxis, tricycles (keke), motorcycles (okada), carts and bicycles.

What are the advantages of road transport?

1. Flexible: it provides door-to-door services.
2. Wide coverage: it can reach all parts of the country.
3. Easy handling: goods are easy to load and unload.

What are the disadvantages of road transport?

1. Limited load: loads carried by road are limited.
2. Breakdown and delay: vehicles break down often and cause delay.
3. Congestion: it creates traffic jams on the highway.

What is rail transport?

Rail transport is the carrying of heavy goods and passengers from one place to another by train.

• Coverage: the train tracks connect several northern, eastern and western states.

What are the advantages of rail transport?

1. Reliable: trains run on fixed tracks and timetables.
2. Few accidents: accidents are minimal.
3. Heavy goods: it is good for transporting heavy goods.

What are the disadvantages of rail transport?

1. Not flexible: trains can only run where tracks are laid.
2. No door-to-door service: goods must be taken to and from the station by road.
3. High cost: building and maintaining tracks needs a lot of money.

What is transport by air?

Transport by air is the carrying of goods and passengers from one place to another by planes, jets and helicopters.

• Main feature: it is the fastest and most comfortable means of transport.

What are the advantages of air transport?

1. Fastest: it saves time over long distances.
2. Supports international trade: it links countries quickly.
3. Suits delicate goods: it carries fragile and perishable goods.
4. Long distances: it can travel very far.

What are the disadvantages of air transport?

1. Very expensive: fares and freight charges are high.
2. Serious accidents: when an accident happens, losses are usually very heavy.
3. Not for heavy goods: planes cannot carry very heavy or bulky loads.
4. Not flexible: it can only operate from airports.

What is transport by water?

Transport by water is the carrying of goods and people from one place to another on water by speed boats, canoes and ships.

What are the advantages of water transport?

1. Cheapest: it costs least per unit of goods carried.
2. Supports trade: rivers and lagoons help internal trade, and ships on the sea help international trade.
3. Heavy loads: it conveys heavy loads, for example containers.

What are the disadvantages of water transport?

1. Slow: it is very slow and wastes time.
2. Fixed schedules: ships sail at set times, so they may not be available when needed.
3. Not flexible: it can only move on water.

What is transport by pipeline?

Transport by pipeline is the movement of liquids and gas through pipes, which are built underground.

• Products carried: kerosene, petrol, water and similar products.

What are the advantages of pipeline transport?

1. Low maintenance cost: little money is needed to keep it running.
2. Few accidents: the chances of an accident are limited.
3. Less congestion: it reduces the number of tankers on the road.

What are the disadvantages of pipeline transport?

1. High construction cost: it requires a lot of money to build.
2. Illegal bunkering: thieves may tap the pipes to steal products.
3. Pollution: spillage causes environmental pollution.

How do the types of transport compare?

Each type has its own strength, so traders choose the one that fits their goods, budget and time.

Evaluation

1. Define transportation.
2. What are the products carried by pipeline?
3. List the types of transportation.
4. State two advantages of water transport.
5. Which type of transport is best for carrying fresh fish a long distance quickly? Give a reason.

Assignment

1. State four ways in which transportation is important in commerce.
2. State three disadvantages of air transport.