Modes of Transport and Their Risks, Essay Example

Transportation is inherently associated with a number for risks as regards safety. Every mode of transport has its own unique set of safety issues. Road or highway transport is crucial to the supply chain system. It is the most widely used by almost all industries. This form of transport is prone to the number of accident owing to the number of transportation units that are available or active at any given time. Other risks mat entail blocked roads that may cripple the road network within a given geographical area.

Rail transportation is one of the most used in carrying freight. While it allows the transportation of goods and commodities, it is inherently prone to the risk of inflexibility. This is because it is highly restricted by time and route choice (Center for Chemical Process Safety (CCPS), 2010). While it is not particularly prone to accidents, disruptions have a considerable impact on the overall rail system. A standstill train in the middle of a track can cripple the entire rail system or cause considerable congestion and the potential for further damage.

Air transport is the least risky mode of transportation. While it allows for swift movement of commodities over long distances, it is prone to the risk of price fluctuations. This mode of transport is highly dependent on the jet fuel, a special and considerably expensive accelerant whose price is highly responsive to global fuel prices (European Conference of Ministers of Transport, 2000). This makes this mode of transport considerably costly.

Pipeline transport is associated with the transportation of flammable or explosive material. As such, it is a high target for sabotage, vandalism and terrorist attacks, especially during war or in areas of escalated conflict.

Water transport is the largest freight carrier method history. It is highly prone to damage of highly sensitive goods as a result of vessel motions. Water, air and road transport are particularly prone to the risks associated with weather. During adverse weather, these forms of transport realize reduced efficiency.

References

Center for Chemical Process Safety (CCPS). (2010). Guidelines for Chemical Transportation Safety, Security, and Risk Management. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

European Conference of Ministers of Transport. (2000). Transport Benchmarking : Methodologies, Applications & Data Needs. Paris: ECMT/OECD.