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Theme Vii: Text I Modes of Transportation in Logistics

Logistics refers to the transportation of goods from production to consumption. There are different modes of transportation including road, rail, water, and air, each requiring different infrastructure and regulations. Goods can be general cargo, bulk cargo, or bulky cargo. A consigner chooses the mode to send goods to a consignee. Road transportation offers lower costs but longer times, while rail uses freight trains to efficiently deliver cargo at larger scales over longer distances.

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Bassma EL GHALBZOURI
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351 views4 pages

Theme Vii: Text I Modes of Transportation in Logistics

Logistics refers to the transportation of goods from production to consumption. There are different modes of transportation including road, rail, water, and air, each requiring different infrastructure and regulations. Goods can be general cargo, bulk cargo, or bulky cargo. A consigner chooses the mode to send goods to a consignee. Road transportation offers lower costs but longer times, while rail uses freight trains to efficiently deliver cargo at larger scales over longer distances.

Uploaded by

Bassma EL GHALBZOURI
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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THEME VII

TRANSPORTATION

TEXT I

MODES OF TRANSPORTATION IN LOGISTICS

Before reading the text check the meaning of the Key Words
in the dictionary.

Nouns: mode, infrastructure, type, vehicle, consigner, consignee,


consignment, route, container train, tonnage, rail, conveyance,
distance, crane, trans-shipment
Verbs: to refer to, transport, to transfer, to move, to carry,
to compare, to recognize, to power, to deliver, to load, to unload,
to haul

Logistics refers to the transportation of merchandise – raw


materials or finished products – from the point of production to the
point of final consumption. Different modes of transportation –
road, rail, water and air – can be used for the effective management
of merchandise. Every mode of transportation requires a different
set of infrastructure, type of vehicles, technological solutions and
regulations. All modes of transportation have different costs, service
and transit times.
There are the following types of cargo (freight): a) general
cargo (goods packed in boxes); b) bulk cargo (large quantities of
cargo, e.g. sand); c) bulky cargo (large individual items, e.g. cars).
A consigner (someone who ships goods) chooses how to send the
consignment (these goods) to the consignee (someone who receives
these goods) by water, road, railway, air.

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1) Road
Road transportation is one of the most basic and historical
means of transportation. Road transport is the principal means of
transport in the European Union for both passengers and goods.
Today, the European Union has almost one vehicle for every two
residents, and road freight traffic represents more than two thirds of
the total tonnage. There are many different types of vehicles,
although trucks are typically used for carrying or delivering freight.
Road transportation offers a relatively lower cost compared to other
logistic forms and has a widely recognizable and flexible route.
However, transportation by road takes a relatively longer period of
time than other means of transportation. Besides, it offers a limited
capacity. Road transport is most often used for comparatively
inexpensive, non-perishable items or for shorter distances.

2) Rail

Rail transport is a means of conveyance of passengers and


goods by way of wheeled vehicles running on rails. It is also
commonly referred to as train transport. Rail transport uses freight
trains for the delivery of merchandise.
Freight trains are usually powered by diesel, electricity and
steam. A freight train hauls cargo using freight cars specialized for
the type of goods. Freight trains are very efficient, with economy of
scale and high energy efficiency. However, their use can be reduced
by lack of flexibility, if there is need of trans-shipment at both ends
of the trip due to lack of tracks to the points of pick-up and
delivery. Container trains have become the dominant type in the
US for non-bulk haulage. Containers can easily be trans-shipped to
other modes, such as ships and trucks, using cranes.
Passenger trains are part of public transport; they can
perform a variety of functions including long distance intercity
travel and local urban transit services.

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UNDERSTANDING THE MAIN POINTS

1. Review questions.

1. What modes of transportation can be used for the effective


management of merchandise?
2. What does every mode of transportation require?
3. What types of cargo do you know?
4. What is one of the most basic and historical means of
transportation from one place to another?
5. What are the main advantages of road transportation?
6. What vehicles are normally used for carrying or delivering
freight?
7. What capacity does road transport offer?
8. What is road transport most often used for?
9. What does rail transport use for the delivery of
merchandise?
10. What trains have become the dominant types in the US for
non-bulk haulage? Why?
11. What functions can passenger trains perform?

2. Decide whether the following statements are true or false

1. There are four types of cargo (freight).


2. Goods packed in boxes are called bulky cargo.
3. Large quantities of cargo are called general cargo.
4. Large individual items are called bulk cargo.
5. A consigner chooses how to send the goods to the
consignee.

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6. The consignee can receive the goods either by air or by
railway.
7. Different modes of transportation like road, rail, water and
air can be used for the effective management of
merchandise.
8. All modes of transportation require the same set of
infrastructure, type of vehicles, technological solutions and
regulations.
9. All modes of transportation have similar costs, service and
transit times.
10. Rail transportation is one of the most basic and historical
means of transportation from one place to another.
11. Vans are typically used for carrying or delivering freight.
12. Road transportation offers a relatively higher cost than
other logistic forms.
13. Transportation by road takes a relatively shorter period of
time than other possible means of transportation.
14. Road transport offers an unlimited capacity.
15. Rail transport is most often used for relatively inexpensive,
non-perishable items or for shorter distances.
16. Freight trains are usually powered by steam.
17. A freight train hauls cargo using freight cars specialized for
the type of goods.
18. Freight trains are very inefficient.
19. Containers can easily be trans-shipped to other modes, such
as ships and trucks.
20. Passenger trains can perform a variety of functions
including long distance intercity travel and local urban
transit services.

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