(a) State three advantages and two disadvantages of air transportation. (b) Highlight five roles of road transportation in the promotion economic developmen...

Answer Details

(a) Advantages and disadvantages of air transportation

Three advantages

• It is the fastest means of transport, so it saves time over long distances.
• It can cross difficult terrain such as mountains, deserts, forests and oceans that other means cannot easily cross.
• It is comfortable and suitable for carrying perishable, urgent and light valuable goods, and for emergencies.

Two disadvantages

• It is very expensive, both to build/maintain (airports and aircraft) and for passengers to use.
• It carries only limited quantities of goods and cannot conveniently carry bulky, heavy cargo; it is also affected by bad weather and accidents are often fatal.

(b) Five roles of road transportation in promoting economic development

• Movement of goods and people: Roads move raw materials, finished goods, farmers and workers from one place to another, linking areas of production to markets.
• Opening up of rural areas: Roads reach remote interior areas that other means cannot, opening them up for farming, mining and trade.
• Promotion of trade and commerce: Good roads encourage the exchange of goods between regions and support market activities.
• Employment: Road construction, maintenance, haulage and transport services provide many jobs.
• Growth of towns and industries: Roads attract industries and encourage the growth of settlements along their routes.
• Feeder to other transport: Roads link farms, homes and factories to railways, seaports and airports.