Show the similarities and differences between road and railway as major means of transportation

Assessment: WAEC SSCE - Geography - 1990 (Essay) Subject: Geography

Question 1 Report

Show the similarities and differences between road and railway as major means of transportation 
 

Answer Details

Similarities and differences between road and railway transport

Similarities

  • Both are land-based means of transport that move passengers and goods over fixed routes on the earth's surface.
  • Both require heavy capital to build and constant maintenance of the track/route.
  • Both are affected by relief; steep slopes, rivers and swamps raise construction costs (bridges, cuttings, embankments) for each.
  • Both link production areas with markets and ports and so aid trade and development.

Differences

Road transportRailway transport
Offers door-to-door, flexible service and can reach almost any point.Fixed to the rails; goods must be carried to and from stations.
Cheaper to build and easier to extend and repair.Very costly to build and to lay new lines.
Cheaper and better for short distances and small/perishable loads.Cheaper and more efficient for bulky, heavy goods over long distances.
Slower and carries smaller loads per vehicle; more prone to traffic hold-ups and accidents.Faster over long hauls and carries very large loads at once with fewer accidents.
Can climb steeper gradients and negotiate sharp bends.Needs gentle gradients and gradual curves, so routes are more restricted.

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