KINDS OF TRANSPORTATION

On Water transportation follows chief routes: (1) on lakes, (2) on rivers, and (3) across oceans.

Lake Transportation. The United States and Canada are the only countries with the advantage of a system of inland waterways like the Great Lakes. The lakes form the heart of the St. Lawrence Seaway. Huge deposits of iron ore lie to the west of these lakes, and great quantities of coal are mined to the south and east. Large, specially designed freighters provide cheap water transportation to bring millions of tons of coal and iron.

River Transportation provides cheap, efficient water transportation for much of the heart of the country. For this reason, much heavy industry has been located along the rivers.

River barges also serve as an important means of water transportation in different countries. They haul large quantities of heavy goods on the rivers and canals of Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Russia and other countries. In China, tiny sampans and other river boats provide transportation on the larger rivers.

Oceans serve as the main arteries of transportation between continents. Ocean ships carry about two thirds of the goods between the United States and other countries. Most of the rest of this trade is with the neighbouring countries of Canada and Mexico. It moves by trains, trucks, and lake steamers. The largest quantities of goods shipped across oceans include petroleum, coal, grain, and iron ore. But ocean ships transport nearly every product produced or raised by man. Great refrigerated ships bring bananas from Central America to the different countries. Industrial nations import mahogany, chrome, and manganese by ship from various regions, and send automobiles, machinery, and other manufactured goods to all parts of the world.

In the Air. Jet airliners enable travellers to eat breakfast in New York City and have dinner in London. Jets speed passengers and mail over the 3,250 air miles separating the two cities in only 6 1/2 hours. In the 1500's, it took one of Ferdinand Magellan's sailing ships, the Victoria, three years to make the first trip around the world. A jet airplane can flash around the world in about 36 hours.

Airplanes usually follow the shortest route between two points, because they can fly over mountains and water barriers. They carry chiefly passengers and mail. Not much freight is shipped by air, because of the high costs of air transportation.

Helicopters are also important in air transportation. In some large cities, helicopters ferry passengers and mail between airports and downtown areas. They also carry mail to suburban areas. In addition, helicopters are used in all kinds of rescue work, such as plucking injured climbers from mountains. Some police departments use helicopters to patrol waterfront areas arid crowded highways.

Aids to Transportation. Modern transportation can operate swiftly and safely because of the many aids to transportation that have been developed. Automobiles and trucks would be useless without a good system of paved roads. Bridges and tunnels help speed land vehicles across rivers, mountains, and other barriers. Ships require safe harbors equipped with wharves and piers in order to load and unload their cargoes. Airplanes could not speed passengers throughout the world without airports conveniently located near cities.

Air, railroad, bus and ship transportation are remarkably safe today. Railroads have automatic signals and instruments that send sound waves to check steel rails for flaws that might cause accidents. The engineer may have a radiotelephone in his locomotive cab. Buses have been improved by such devices as air-suspension systems in place of springs. All water traffic, whether on oceans, rivers, or lakes, has been made safer by radio, radar, and such devices as gyrocompasses. Radio puts ships in touch with shore and with other vessels. Radar enables them to efficient water transportation "see" through fog, storms, and darkness. Airplanes patrol major ship routes to assist in rescues in case of accidents. Ships of the International Ice Patrol warn of the presence of icebergs. Radio and radar provide much the same services for aircraft. Accurate weather information permits planes to fly over or around most storms.