Transport

• Logistics is the  management of flow of goods from producer and manufacturer to consumer ot marketplace.
• Transport is a crucial part of this process so that customers do not run out of supplies
• The growth of containerisation has aided this process
• Transport has helped to create an interdependent world. It encourages countries to specialise and benefit from comparative advantage
• Effective transport leads to expansion of business.They look for markets far away especially abroad.
• Transport also moves people.They get wider choice of job. They can earn more money by travelling to a firm which pays higher value for their skills. It is used to visit shops and for leisure.  

Advantages of Road transport:

• Flexible form of transport.It can be adjusted as regards timetable and frequency of visits.
• Door to Door delivery without trans-shipment.
• Fast and cost-effective for short distance.Recent developments have made it more suitable for long distance also.
• Accessible to a wider range of area

Disadvantages:

• Slow for long distances
• Unsuitable for carrying bulk
• High cost of operating
• Traffic jams cause delay
• Limitations on time given to drivers for which they can use vehicles.These laws are imposed by govt.
• Increased social costs have to be paid by taxpayer when a truck damages a road. 
• Causes a lot of pollution 

Advantages of rail

1. Suitable for bulk and heavy goods 
2. Companies can own company trains to transport their own goods.These are part of marshalling yards.
3. Give easy access to passengers to reach CBD as they are located on city centres.
4. Causes less air pollution compared to road transport.
5. Less workers needed to operate than road transport

Disadvantages:

1. The need for trans-shipment of goods.
2. Slow and expensive for short distances 
3. Cannot go everywhere
4. High cost of maintenance and set up
5. Rail is inflexible in terms of timetable
6. Train crash recieves more publicity than truck crash on roads.