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

(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.