UNIT-III
Chapter-7
Transport and Communication
EXERCISES
1. Choose the right answer from the four alternatives given below.
(i) The Trans–Continental Stuart Highway runs between
(a) Darwin and Melbourne
(b) Edmonton and Anchorage
(c) Vancouver and St. John’s City
(d) Chengdu and Lhasa
Answer: (a) Darwin and Melbourne
(ii) Which country has the highest density of railway network?
(a) Brazil (c) Canada
(b) U.S.A (d) Russia
Answer: (d) Russia.
(iii) The Big Trunk Route runs through
(a) The Mediterranean – Indian ocean
(b) The North Atlantic Ocean
(c) The South Atlantic Ocean
(d) The North Pacific Ocean
Answer: (b) The North Atlantic Ocean.
(iv) The Big Inch pipeline transports
(a) Milk (c) Water
(b) Liquid petroleum gas (LGP) (d) Petroleum
Answer: (d) Petroleum
(v) Which one pair of the following places is linked by Channel Tunnel?
(a) London – Berlin (c) Berlin – Paris
(b) Paris – London (d) Barcelona – Berlin
Answer: (b) Paris – London
2. Answer the following questions in about 30 words.
(i) What are the problems of road transport in mountainous, desert and
flood prone regions?
Answer: Mountainous areas: Steep slopes, harsh weather, and landslides challenge construction and maintenance.
Desert regions: Shifting sand, extreme temperatures, and flash floods make roads vulnerable.
Flood plains: Frequent inundation disrupts roads and requires costly repairs.
(ii) What is a trans–continental railway?
Answer: A transcontinental railway spans an entire continent, bridging vast distances and connecting far-flung regions. Think epic journeys, from coast to coast, weaving communities and economies together.
(iii) What are the advantages of water transport?
Answer: Water transport wins hearts with its bulk capacity, fuel efficiency, and affordability for heavy cargoes. It navigates oceans, rivers, and coastlines, offering global reach and reliability in all weathers.
3. Answer the following questions in not more than 150 words.
(i) Elucidate the statement– “In a well managed transport system, various modes complement each other”.
Answer: In a well-managed transport system, various modes complement each other by playing to their individual strengths and addressing each other's weaknesses. This creates a seamless and efficient network, optimizing logistics and boosting accessibility for people and goods. Here's how:
Strengths and Weaknesses:
- Roads: Ideal for short-distance, door-to-door delivery, but struggle with bulk cargo and long distances.
- Railways: Efficient for bulk movement over long distances but lack flexibility for last-mile delivery.
- Airways: Fastest for urgent shipments and remote locations but limited in cargo capacity and costlier.
- Waterways: Cost-effective for massive cargo on specific routes but slow and not universally accessible.
Complementarity in Action:
- Modal Shift: Goods move seamlessly between modes, leveraging roads for pickup/delivery, railways for long hauls, and waterways for international bulk transport.
- Intermodal Terminals: Efficient transfer points facilitate smooth switching between modes, minimizing delays and maximizing efficiency.
- Combined Networks: Integrating schedules and ticketing systems across modes provides users with flexibility and simplifies travel planning.
Benefits of Harmony:
- Reduced congestion: Each mode handles tasks it's best suited for, minimizing traffic problems and environmental impact.
- Lower costs: Optimized logistics decrease overall transportation costs for businesses and consumers.
- Improved access: Integration opens up remote areas and promotes regional development.
- Greater resilience: A diverse network is less vulnerable to disruptions in any single mode.
Achieving Harmony:
- Investment in infrastructure: Develop and maintain efficient networks across all modes, including intermodal terminals.
- Policy and regulation: Encourage modal integration through infrastructure planning, pricing strategies, and coordinated scheduling.
- Technological innovation: Invest in technologies that facilitate information sharing and seamless transitions between modes.
By recognizing and fostering the complementary nature of different transport modes, we can build a more efficient, sustainable, and equitable transportation system for the future.
(ii) Which are the major regions of the world having a dense network of airways.
Answer: Three major regions stand out for having a dense network of airways:
1. Eastern USA: This region boasts the highest concentration of air routes globally, fueled by large population centers, bustling business activity, and a well-developed domestic aviation market. Think metropolises like New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Miami, connecting to smaller regional hubs and international destinations.
2. Western Europe: Home to key economic powerhouses, historical connections, and high tourist influx, Western Europe features a tightly interwoven network of airways. Major hubs like London, Paris, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, and Rome serve as gateways to the region and beyond, facilitating passenger and cargo movement across its densely populated and interconnected countries.
3. Southeast Asia: Rapid economic growth, rising disposable incomes, and a geographically diverse landscape have spurred the development of a dynamic and complex air network in Southeast Asia. Key nodes like Singapore, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, and Jakarta handle immense passenger and cargo volumes, connecting numerous regional destinations and serving as gateways to the wider world.
Additional considerations:
*North America: As a whole, North America exhibits a dense network, extending beyond just the Eastern USA. Canada and Mexico contribute to the overall connectivity and air traffic volume.
*East Asia: China, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan present another region with significant airway density, driven by strong economies, large populations, and international trade activity.
It's important to note that these regions are constantly evolving, with new routes and hubs emerging, and technological advancements influencing accessibility and network efficiency. However, they currently represent the areas with the most concentrated and actively utilized networks of airways globally.
(iii) What are the modes by which cyber space will expand the contemporary economic and social space of humans.
Answer: Cyberspace, the virtual world of interconnected networks and computers, has dramatically expanded the economic and social spaces of humans in recent decades. This expansion is driven by several key modes:
1. E-commerce: Online marketplaces and platforms have revolutionized commerce, enabling individuals and businesses to sell and buy goods and services from anywhere in the world. This has created new economic opportunities, expanded market reach, and transformed consumer behavior.
2. Remote work and freelancing: Cyberspace has made it possible for people to work remotely, collaborate with colleagues across borders, and offer freelance services to a global audience. This has increased flexibility, job opportunities, and income potential for many individuals.
3. Online education and learning: Educational resources and platforms are now readily available online, democratizing access to knowledge and skills development. This has facilitated lifelong learning, upskilling, and educational opportunities for individuals regardless of location or socioeconomic background.
These are just some of the key modes by which cyberspace is expanding the contemporary economic and social space of humans. As technology continues to evolve and cyberspace becomes even more integrated into our lives, the potential for further expansion and transformation is vast.
Answer Type By: Himashree Bora.
