Transportation
From RitchieWiki
[edit] History
Before the invention of carriages, boats, automobiles, and airplanes, packages and letters were delivered on foot or horse.
By the 19th century, the only practical way to transport goods across long distances was by water. At that time, most large settlements were based around coasts and rivers because it offered a wealth of goods from other places. Large ships would carry freight across the oceans, while smaller boats would sail down rivers, lakes, and canals to deliver their goods to smaller port cities.
As the population spread out, away from the ports, it was important to find another form of transportation for freight. Goods would arrive at the port cities and were then shipped out to the rest of the country by railroad. By the 20th century, railroads had become one of the largest businesses in the U.S., employing nearly 10 percent of all industrial workers.[1]
As the transportation industry grew, it became subject to governmental regulations. So, by the late 1800s, the U.S. federal government began to regulate national railroad freight rates to prevent railways from charging unfair amounts. These regulations also protected transportation companies from unfair competition.
Semi-trailer trucks were under development by the 1910s. These vehicles provided the advantage of delivering goods straight to the customer’s door. Now goods could come to port, be transported by trains to the large cities, and then delivered by truck to the customer.
Containerization was a process developed to aid in moving freight from one mode of transport to another. By the mid-1900s, all goods were loaded into big metal boxes that could be easily transferred between container ships, railroad flatcars, and truck trailers. It reduced shipping costs, handling of the goods, and cut losses due to damage and theft.
The transportation industry began to be deregulated in the U.S. in the 1980s and competition became fierce with hundreds of new companies established. However, after 10 years, one-third of the 100 largest companies were out of business.[2]
With the arrival of the 21st century, the September 11th attacks and resulting Iraq War fuel prices have skyrocketed, which has severely affected the transportation industry.
[edit] Equipment List
[edit] References
- ↑ Transportation History Videos. America on the Move, 2008-09-30.
- ↑ Trucking Industry Overview - History of Trucking. Internal Revenue Service, 2008-09-30.
