Transportation

In this video, viewers learn how the development of land- and sea-based transportation changed the world. Transportation by land created a more rapid exchange of goods, information, and travel as well as the development of commerce. As transportation systems advanced from good roads to railroads followed soon after by the automobile, they changed the speed of commerce, travel, communication, and also the way society functioned. Sea-based transportation opened up the entire world, allowing long-distance travel and trade with faraway places. Today, marine transportation is the most economical and efficient form of transporting large quantities of goods, and containerized shipping has revolutionized how countries trade. The video also discusses environmental concerns including scarce resources and escalating pollution. (18 min.) A Meridian Production.

This series provides an overview of the transportation industry and the technology involved. Students get a first-hand view of the four major types of transportation-land, air, water, and space-as well as the system itself. It consists of Inputs, a Process, and Outputs and is controlled and regulated through the use of Goals and Feedback. Goals include timeliness, efficiency, safety, and profitability, while Feedback provides the constant stream of information needed to monitor the process. Information may be in the form of delivery records, maintenance records, and customer reports. Conservation and alternative transportation fuels are also discussed as future transportation technology is explored. Also detailed are resources needed to support a transportation system including people, capital, knowledge, materials, energy, time, and finance. A Meridian Production.