Road transportation is one of the most popular modes of transport that is used to move goods and passengers from one place to another. It means the transportation of goods and passengers from one place to another by road. A road is a path between two destinations that have been created to provide a way for people, animals, as well as vehicles to pass.
Types of roads
Roads can be classified based on materials, economy, traffic, and location.
Based on materials there are earthen roads, gravel roads, murram roads, kankar roads, Water Bound Macadam roads (WBM), bituminous roads, and concrete roads.
While in the economy there are National highways, County or District roads, and Rural or village roads. In terms of traffic, there are light traffic roads, medium traffic roads, and high traffic roads.
Categories of road transport vehicles
The automobiles that contain an engine are the most common vehicles which include buses, trucks, motorcycles, and also bicycles. In each country, the ministry of transport has got licensing policies that guide the regulation of safety measures to ensure order in the Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) and private motorists. The safety regulations also provide that some vehicles such as trucks can only use specific types of roads because they carry large portions of cargo. This ensures that the roads that cannot sustain such heavy-duty trucks and lorries are protected and serve their rightful purpose of offering routes to small cars, buses, cycling, non-motorized carts, and pedestrians.
Advantages of road transport
Unlike other air transport and the railway which demands high investment, the cost of construction for road transport is averagely less. Consequently, most governments construct roads to enhance development in each region. Moreover, road transport allows the door to door service which leads to less loading and unloading expenses in individual routes. It is one of the sectors that has created many jobs for drivers, conductors, and turn assistants leading to the growth of the economy. More so, it is very effective for short distance journeys where the movement of delicate and perishable goods such as fruits, vegetables, and glassware. Similarly, it is possible to organize with courier service companies to provide the most effective type of vehicle depending on the nature of goods or events such as weddings and trips.
It is also easy to monitor the condition and location of goods even in most remote areas as compared to water and railway transport. Another reason why road transportation is preferred by many travellers is that it is flexible since it allows the transportation of goods at any place where there is road infrastructure.
Disadvantages of road transport
Like any other means of transport, road transportation has some shortcomings. During some days such as holidays, most vehicles and especially in developing countries face traffic snarl-up which causes delays and ends up inconveniencing many people. In case of reckless driving, accidents lead to losses and damage of property, and could even claim lives. Besides, during poor weather, the speed is slow due to congestion and according to several types of research, vehicles on the road cause a lot of air pollution which harms the environment as a result of global warming.
Road transportation is used by almost everybody to move from different routes and perform some activities that build the economy. Whether you have a car or not, courier service providers, freight forwarders, and haulers can assist in getting flexible transport services that are tailored to individual needs. It is however important to consider the type of goods before hiring a vehicle because some are specialized to carry heavy cargo, passengers, small goods, perishable, and highly fragile products. Whatever the vehicle you chose, demand for optimum performance to maintain safety while on the road.