Essay on Science as a Human Endeavour Task - Transport Technology

Introduction

Over the recent years, the constant development of new technologies such as intelligent transportation systems which include smart cards among others has definitely shaped the landscape of transportation (Weaver et al., 2017). As a result, there has been inconsistent variety of options regarding the implementation of new transport technologies (Rodrigue, Comtois, and Slack, 2016). Due to the kind of impact they create, the transportation system is often altered in several ways. For instance, the introduction of electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles has proven to be beneficial despite still undergoing developmental phase. Furthermore, smart card technologies have enhanced the feasibility and convenience of transport by providing various options for pricing. These options may range from road use to parking and transit fares. The main aim for this paper is to examine the kind of impact that transport technology has on humans. Furthermore, it will also look at how science as a human endeavour task has facilitated the way humans use various transport systems such as trains for convenient purposes.

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Ever since the invention of the steam train, many recent developments of rail transportation have emerged including the current innovation of the bullet train. Rail transport was specifically designed to carry passengers and goods (mostly cargos). In turn, it essentially provides a variety of benefits on an economic and social level (Donaldson and Hornbeck, 2016). Passenger trains are often grouped in various types which include transit or commuter trains, high-speed rail and intercity rail. The amount of energy that is consumed by railway transport is approximately 400kJ/t km. The reason for this is because of its increasing popularity due to the numerous advantages that it offers. These include speed, safety, and cost-effectiveness as well as environmental friendliness.

The propulsion system is considered to be a system which provides motion for certain types of vehicles. In comparison to other road vehicles, trains are usually grouped according to long power-on times, an extended period of operations with increased demands of power and energy (Lindstrom et al., 2018). Moreover, they are specifically designed to withstand severe environmental conditions. Railway vehicle classes often tend to be equipped with different load characteristics. As a result, alternative drives have constantly been developed to provide efficiency for each vehicle class. For instance, track electrification has been conducted to meet the high energy and power demands about the long distances the railway vehicles cover. This kind of implementation has been relevant over the recent years for its development especially for high-speed trains and high-capacity freight trains, in comparison to using batteries or fuel cells as alternative energy and power sources.

Cutting-edge technologies such as rail-side detectors have been developed to act as sensors on railroad tracks. In turn, they assist in gathering multiple data points about the kind of conditions they are set in (Naidu, 2017). The recent implementation of trackside ultrasonic technology by the Association of American Railroads' and Transportation Technology Center Inc., has enabled the identification of internal flaws within the passing wheels. With different components within the railway system such as rail beds and bridges existing, numerous challenges can often be experienced on a regular basis. Rail operators have a constant obligation to address various matters regarding safety and security implementation. Rail operation must be monitored and protected at regular intervals while limiting trespassing along railroad property.

The development and implementation of the rail system during the 19th century were considered to be an integral part of the industrial revolution (Donaldson and Hornbeck, 2016). As a result, this enabled the inland transportation systems to become more flexible with high capacities about their performance. Furthermore, all kinds of social classes were able to access this mode of transportation thus creating an efficient means of public transportation. Railway transportation served an equally important purpose to that of road transport. This is because it also enhanced the creation of substantial opportunities on an economic and social level such as resource extraction among others.

The intensive use of infrastructure is one of the main reasons which have contributed to the development of the transport sector. As a component of the economy, the transport sector has created numerous opportunities ranging from the movement of people to that of goods and information. Over the recent years, the railway transport system has been considered to serve an integral purpose in transportation (Donaldson and Hornbeck, 2016). This mode of transport system was developed to facilitate the development of various economic and social sectors. Some of the sectors included lack of employment, availability of markets and investment opportunities. Furthermore, other factors such as congestion were commonly experienced due to inefficient transportation.

Conclusion

Transportation has always been a key contributing factor to the development of human innovation. As a result, it has facilitated the movement of goods and commodities as well as people. Furthermore, it has also played an essential part in the advancement of communication facilities such as mail delivery services. Transportation activities are constantly propelled by various sources of energy which in turn leads to the implementation of new technologies including the innovation of a bullet train. The railway transport specifically, serves an important purpose in transporting goods and services as well as people. Through the implementation of various technological facilities such as rail-side detectors, railway travel has become one of the safest and efficient modes of transport.

Bibliography

Donaldson, D. and Hornbeck, R., 2016. Railroads and American economic growth: A "market access" approach. The Quarterly Journal of Economics, 131(2), pp.799-858.

Lindstrom, J., Bjorkman, M., Bergquist, M. and Pettersson, N., Scania Cv Ab, 2018. Propulsion system for a vehicle. U.S. Patent 9,937,920.

Naidu, A., Meteorcomm Llc, 2017. Systems and methods for using a railroad rail as radiating element for transmitting wireless communications signals. U.S. Patent 9,840,260.

Rodrigue, J.P., Comtois, C. and Slack, B., 2016. The geography of transport systems. Taylor & Francis.

Weaver, P., Jansen, L., Van Grootveld, G., Van Spiegel, E. and Vergragt, P., 2017. Sustainable technology development. Routledge.