Evaluating Different Modes of Transport
- Dependability
- It means whether the service can be used throughout the year in all climatic conditions or not. Railway Provide more dependable service as compared to water or air transportation and Road transport can be operated in extreme conditions like fog etc. but at lower speed.
- Flexibility
- Route Flexibility: Can we take any route any time (Not possible in case of railways)
- Time flexibility: Can the vehicle move or stop any time (for Railways, time scheduling is done to maintain certain distance between two trains moving on the same track in same direction)
- Vehicle Flexibility: Whether various types of vehicles can be used on the facility or not. In case of railways, different types of vehicles cannot use the track.
- Adaptability
- Whether the system can be used in extreme conditions like gradients or not? The steeper gradients should be avoided in case of Railways and air transport can be provided
- Safety
- Includes safety of vehicles and goods. It has two aspects
- Accidents:
- Number of accidents
- Intensity of accidents
Railway accidents are lesser in number but of high intensity as compared to road accidents. Air and pine line accidents are always fatal and water accidents results in huge losses.
- Operational Control:
- Hauling Distance
- It is the distance up to which we can transport the goods. For short/medium distances, road transport is the most suitable, for medium/long distances, railways are suitable and for very long distances, air transport or water transport is suitable.
- Speed/Time of delivery
- Air transport is the most suitable for urgent and time sensitive cargos. However, these goods must meet the requirements of air transport.