Discuss any four modes of transport and briefly elaborate the role and importance of each in the development of a country?

Transportation is an important key to the economic and social success of any civilization. Transportation by automobile has transformed modern nations by allowing consumers and goods to unite. Goods are transported by freight to market where consumers can also travel by automobile to purchase these goods. The automobile also allows resources that are needed for production to be shipped in an efficient way. The success of the automobile depends on the availability of a modern road and highway system that is not overcrowded and run down. A counteractive effect to the use of automobiles is the negative environmental impact that burning petroleum has on the environment as carbon is emitted into the atmosphere.

The environmental impact of the automobile can be mitigated with different modes of public transportation. In this category, trollies, subways, and bus systems can be lumped together. Mass transit allows for a decrease in carbon emissions while providing a convenient and cheap way for people to get from one point to the next. Strong systems of mass transit allow people to live outside of the city if they have a job that requires them to enter urban areas. This allows for the development of suburbs and less crowding in the city. Mass transit systems reduce noise pollution, lessen the traffic burden on the highway system and reduce the emissions of greenhouse gasses. It also has the effect of improving tourism in a city as people are comfortable traveling downtown for shopping or cultural activities.

The airplane and air traffic systems also have a positive effect on modern nations. It has the effect of allowing companies to grow to different states or countries without losing productivity. This is true because employees can get to far away places in a fraction of the time. This creates opportunities for companies to expand. The airplane also helps travel and tourism as people are more likely to vacation in distant places.

Rail systems and boats have the same economic benefits that automobiles have as products and resources can be shipped in a quick and efficient manner. They may even be considered more efficient forms of transport as they do not have to fight the traffic that exists on many of the roads and highways of modern nations. Railroads tend to expand the industrial capacity of a developing nation.