Technology Improves Transportations - Essay Example

XXXXX No. XXXXX TECHNOLOGY IMPROVES TRANSPORTATIONS XYZ 23 April, Technology Improves Transportations Transportation is one of the most crucial and basic ingredient of all the field of life especially of international trade e.g. shipping, agriculture, food industry, construction, traveling, tourism, and number of other business fields that simply cannot go ahead even a single step without the support of transportation. The safe and secure carrying of passengers, speedy deliverance of products, and preservation of quality of different commodities are most important issues for the success of transportation companies. Due to this reason, users consult reliable companies which utilize the latest modes of transportation and technologies for efficient delivery. The use of latest technologies has introduced new trends in transportation industry and put certain direct implications on different actors associated with this field (http://www.transportationissuesdaily.com/technologys-role-in-moving-people-goods-quicker/). These actors include infrastructure (e.g. roads, highways, bridges, railways, subways, tramways, airports, seaports etc), modes of transportation (e.g. buses, cars, rails, trams, planes, freights etc), and functions pertaining to of transportation industry. Since users keep themselves continuously engage with new innovative services in all facets of life, therefore, by focusing on transportation industry, this paper describes the development of modern technologies and their ultimate impact on the improvement of different aspects of transportation. Improvements in Infrastructure Transportation industry is highly dependent on strong infrastructure for its smooth and speedy execution of functions. The invention of wheel is considered to be as one of the greatest and most productive scientific invention which not only accelerated the human life but also raised the need of well-built roads for traveling, tourism, and shipping. The continuous scientific progression and era of industrial revolution increased the demand of roads and highways; therefore, a network of highways and road was spread till the middle of 20th century. Road transportation is considered more safe and recognizable and relatively inexpensive than other transportations. But its drawback is that it is much time consuming than other modes of transportations. It is basically the blessing of modern technology which enabled the construction of roads, airports, railways, subways, and trams. Asphalt compactors are used for speedy compaction and finishing of roads. Hydraulic Trucks have the capacity to lift 200 to 250 tons of loads due to having a swing-away lattice jib extension which provides it additional 30’ to 40’ of length. Besides these equipment, excavators, fork lifter, pavers, trenchers, crawler loaders, and some other miscellaneous machinery is used throughout the world to construct and repair the roads and highways in speedy way (Vehicle Valuation Services, Inc). Air transportation is one of the leading services in transportation industry. Heavy constructing technology is operated for the construction and re-carpeting of runways. Auto sweeper transports are being used to prevent the air traffic from Field Object Damages which may produce very serious outcomes for planes. The application of advanced crash tenders on airports, for rescue and firefighting services, have increased the transportation safety manifold. FLF Panther, Alvis Salamander, E-1, and MB are some most modern crash tenders presently in use at numbers of airports. Installation of Doppler Radars and Automated Weather Observation Systems, have also increased the safety of aircraft from any environmental effect (CopRadar.com). Improvement in Transportation Modes The world had never such huge numbers of transportation modes as today it has. In ancient times, human used to travel on animals. Today, it has automobiles, buses, rails, trams, subways, ships, and aircraft to go from one place to other or to cargo its products anywhere in the world within minimum possible time. Automobiles are a great source of transportation especially within cities, but they are also a great contributing factor to produce greenhouse gases into the Earth’s atmosphere. Over the years, the growing consumption of fossil fuel have been resulted the air pollution as a major environmental concern at global scale. However, modern technology has enabled the manufacturer to transform the petrol-based vehicle engines to those that are CNG-based. Presently, Argentina, Brazil and Pakistan have the largest fleet of vehicles running on CNG in the world. The use of hybrid cars have also been increased and encouraged within urban areas as these cars reduce the formation of smog up to 90% and carbon dioxide up to 50% (Garcia, 2009). One of the greatest applications of technology is the use of trams, rails, and subways. These modes of transportation have not only the potential to take huge number of passengers and extra load of cargo, but they are also environmental friendly and can be easily operated electrically. In current era, freight transportation stands for a key contributing factor towards socio-economic growth. Due to these persistent changes, the trading volume of freight transportation has been increased substantially during past few decades. On one hand, the production and distribution sectors of business world have been changed radically while on the other side, the world has also observed tremendous changes in geopolitical and financial structures (Marchet et al, 2009). These are the changes which create a correlation between the production and distribution systems and the development of just-in-time methods and stock minimization. Therefore, the use of ships for cargo significantly affects the transportation industry. Today by the application of latest freight transportation, the pattern and flow of transportation is more organized, consignment orders are increased and irregular as well, the load per consignment is also less massive, time taking for loading and unloading have been decreased, and freight technology has enough potential to take massive consignments at longer distances. Aircraft technology brought a real revolution and enabled the man to go anywhere within minimum possible time and can take its products as well. The use of aircraft widely facilitates the transportation of military equipment which is of serious or secret nature. Moreover, air transportation facilitates to carry the passengers as well as goods between continents in a matter of hours. A lot of recent technological advancements have made both the airplanes and freight transportations safe, secure, and expedient. These technological advancements include electronic data interchange (EDI) technologies, container identification systems, automatic vehicle systems, weather radars, navigational systems, mobile information and communication systems, and database management and value-added data manipulation systems, cargo and on-board container status information systems, and advanced traffic information systems (Delaney, 1999). The outcome of installation of this technology is that both air and freight transportations are looking for operational integration. Improvement in Transportation Operations In current era of modern science, electronic devices and telecommunication applications are changing radically and along with substantial impact on social and cultural life, it also has tremendous implications to the transportation industry. It has already been proved that I terms of communications, corporate world is now less dependent on certain geographic locations because information technology has proved itself cost effective and an alternative medium for face-to-face communications. Information technology makes the transportation systems lean, efficient, and productive as the movements can be arranged and monitored, and facilities can be offered in much better way. Presently, the applications of technology in transportation system are categorized in three broad categories. Globalization in production Fast movement Inventory management Access to international markets Management of increasing flow capacity Navigational tools Easiness in transportation Globalization in Production At present mostly the instructions for the use of some particular products are written in many international languages. The global recession and applications of moderns technology in different fields including transportation has forced the companies to go for internationalization, therefore, the companies have focused to apply the latest techniques and machinery to produce the products which are attractive for diversified markets simultaneously. Fast Movement Although the invention of wheel had created certain dimensions in transportation world, however, it is rightly considered that the invention and use of rail transport was the first media which acted as a real transportation technology and brought a real revolution to this field. It was actually the turning point for international companies to expand their business to some more emerging markets. However, there were certain areas where the railway system couldn’t access. In order to cater the deficiency of inaccessibility of railways, steam engine was introduced that took the local products to those international trade centers where railway had no access. Moreover, cargo ships and airplanes offer to carry the passengers as well as goods between continents within matter of hours. Inventory Management The application and elasticity of appropriate technology allow the organizing authorities to manage the inventories of vehicles and human resource related to it because reservation management is one of the best applications of technology both in terms of saving money and time of the customers. Reservation management can be used in broad perspectives like seat allocation, parking, and times of use, and anything other which can be planned. No doubt, air transportation and later on freight management were the first areas that introduced the use of information technology in 1960s and since then it has been not only in use in routine as well as in long term operations, but they have also changed the overall functioning of air and ship transportation systems. Now, the whole related data is available to users with different choices to choose like variable pricing options, route of the transportations, and estimated time of departure to the destination. Parking of buses, cars, trains, and even freight can be managed through instantaneous flexible pricing schemes which the user can opt with respect to its capacity. Enhancing the car sharing is another example of inventory management as its availability can be easily and recognized instantaneously. Access to International Markets Latest technology has foster numbers of transportation media and further these media have given the exports an important place to expand them into various markets. By taking scientific support, lots of companies have expanded their business on global scale because the local demand for their product is not adequate. Some of these companies which include Apple and Microsoft from United States, Samsung from South Korea, and TUI from Germany, largely depend on speedy, dynamic, and consistent transportations to implement their expansion strategies across the borders. Navigational Tools Navigational aids are another common but very important category of latest technology which have proved its significant place in modern transportation. Airplanes are equipped with lots of navigational tools like PAR (Precision Approach Radar) and ILS (Instrument Landing System), and GPS (Global Positioning System) etc. some vehicles of General Motors are using OnStar system for navigation purpose. These systems facilitate the user by displaying the information either on a screen or through some audio directions. Management of Increasing Flow Capacity A little well established increase of infrastructure enhances the managing capabilities of the companies to ensure the flow capacity of transportation. Thus, modern telecommunication and electronic devices have enhanced the capacities of equipment of transportations and provided more facilities without any significant physical growth. Smart traffic signals, freeway ramp metering, and Traffic Congestion Management (TCM) are some examples of managing the increasing flow capacity of transportations. Vehicle like trams, rails, subways, and airplanes itself provide capacity to accommodate the flow of passengers as well as their goods. Although highways also offer great opportunities to entertain the increasing flow of transportation, however, it has some by default obstacles which are always required to be minimized or rectified accordingly. Enhancing Easiness in Transportation The use of latest technology is making the travel transactions easier and expedient day by day. Uses of different transportations systems along with application of switching modes offer an integrated multi-model transport. Payments are paid by using smart cards or credit cards i.e. a single source of payment which can be detected by various devices. Today payments can also be made through cell phone accounts. In order to ensure the smooth and continuous movement, technology has enabled the authorities to collect the toll automatically. Presently SR 520 Toll Rates, Toll Troll, WA SR520 Toll App, Toll Avoider, and SR-520 Toll Assistant are some applications used to collect the toll at cheap rates and with swift execution. WA SR520 Toll App is more preferable because of its free price and user friendly features (GreekWire, 2011). In parking, technology has fostered another flexible system in the form parking meters where users offer their payment and take the parking cards directly without any delay and wait. One of the limitations of mass transit system is that users have to regularize it on regular basis while the regularization process is also hectic. The passengers use mobile online services i.e. wireless internet to monitor the transportation schedule of their choice. Some further innovations in online system would not only increase the trend of using of internet at global scale but it will also enhance the general confidence level of the customers on modes functions of transportations. References CopRadar.com (1999-2000). Police Traffic Radars. Subsidiary of Sawicki Enterprises. Retrieved July 17, 2009 http://www.copradar.com/preview/chapt1/ch1d1.html Delaney, R. (1999). A Look Back in Anger at Logistics Productivity, 10th Annual State of Logistics Report, Saint Louis, Mo. Garcia, J. I (2009). Department of environmental quality: Air Quality: Vehicle emissions and air quality. Retrieved from Academic Research Library database GeekWire, (2011). GreekWire: Seven apps just for navigating the 520 tolls: GeekWire’s reviews and recommendations retrieved 28 December, 2011 Grübler, A. (1990). The rise and fall of infrastructures: Dynamics of evolution and technological change in transport. Heidelberg and New York: Physica-Verlag http://www.transportationissuesdaily.com/technologys-role-in-moving-people-goods-quicker/ Marchet, G., Alessandro, P, and Perotti, S. (2009). An explanatory study of ICT adoption in the Italian freight transportation industry, Department of Management, Economics and Industrial Engineering, Italy Vehicle Valuation Services, Inc. (2009). Construction and off road equipment: Quick reference guide. Read More