QUESTIONS AND
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EMAIL:gabrielmusyoka940@gmail.com
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LEARNING UNIT 1: CONCEPTUAL
FRAMEWORK
PURPOSE
The purpose of this learning unit is to introduce you to important concepts and definitions
pertaining to transport management, as well as the characteristics of transport.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
When you have completed this learning unit, you should be able to
• list and define important concepts pertaining to transport
• explain the derived nature of the demand for transport
• discuss why the demand for transport is cyclical in nature
• understand the transport cycle
• explain the elements of management
INTRODUCTION
This introductory learning unit is divided into two distinct sections, namely, section 1.1 and
section 1.2.
In section 1.1 we introduce you to important concepts and definitions pertaining to transport
management. Transport has unique characteristics, which makes the management of a
transport business different from the management of, say, a manufacturing or retail business.
Section 1.2 provides an introduction to the management of a transport business.
A thorough understanding and appreciation of these concepts and characteristics is required
before you will be able to manage a transport business successfully.
1.1 IMPORTANT CONCEPTS AND DEFINITIONS PERTAINING TO
TRANSPORT MANAGEMENT
Before we introduce you to important transport terminology, the activity that follows will serve
to get your mind into a “transport mode”.
Now do activity 1.1.
Think of the last week. How often did you need transport for yourself
and/or your family and for sending/receiving goods?
Make a list of the times you needed transport and indicate the kind of
transport you used.
Compare your answers with those of your classmates in the discussions
on myUnisa.
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Having completed this activity, you should agree that transport impacts
all aspects of our daily lives, whichever way we turn. The clothes we
wear, the food we eat, the entertainment we seek, the jobs we do and
the homes we live in are all available because of transport. In this
context, it becomes clear that transport is fundamental to the
development of modern industrial societies.
1.1.1 What is transport?
In the broad sense, the main function of transport is to move/displace passengers and freight
from where they are to where they would like to be or are needed. The most important
element in any definition of transport is movement, which refers to the displacement of
people and/or goods over distance (space) and time, regardless of the method (technical
means) by which it is effected. Goods must be moved to the locations where they are
needed – for instance, groceries are moved to a food store. People, in turn, travel long
distances to meet their business and social needs.
1.1.2 Sustainable transport
A sustainable transport system is one that
• allows the basic access and development needs of people to be met safely and that
promotes equity within and between successive generations – this is referred to as
the social dimension
• is affordable, operates fairly and efficiently and fosters balanced regional
development – this is referred to as the economic dimension
• limits emissions of air pollution and greenhouse gases (GHGs) as well as waste and
minimises the impact of transport on the use of land and the generation of noise –
this is referred to as the environmental dimension
• is designed in a participatory process that involves relevant stakeholders in all parts
of society – this is referred to as the degree of participation (Bongardt et al 2011:9)
Low-carbon sustainable transport reduces short- and long-term negative impacts on the local
and global environments, is characterised by economically viable infrastructure and
operation and provides safe and secure access for both persons and goods (Bongardt et al
2011:9).
Now do activity 1.2.
Visit the Gautrain Management Agency’s website by following this link:
http://gma.gautrain.co.za/about/Pages/about.aspx
Using the information provided on the website, answer the following
true/false questions:
(i) The Gautrain allows the basic access and development needs of
people to be met safely.
True False
(ii) The Gautrain is affordable.
True False
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(iii) The Gautrain operates fairly and efficiently.
True False
(iv) The Gautrain limits emissions of air pollution and GHGs as well
as waste.
True False
(v) The Gautrain minimises the impact of transport on the use of land
and the generation of noise.
True False
(vi) The Gautrain was designed in a participatory process that
involved relevant stakeholders in all parts of society.
True False
(vii) Overall, the Gautrain can be considered a sustainable mode of
transport.
True False
Compare your answers with those of your classmates in the discussions
on myUnisa.
Based on your background, your answers may differ slightly from those
of your classmates, especially for questions i and ii. Overall, the
conclusion is that, yes, the Gautrain can be considered a sustainable
mode of transport.
Many of the issues relating to sustainable transport are dealt with more comprehensively in
the second-year module (TRL2603) and on third-year level and postgraduate level.
1.1.3 Drivers of change for future transportation
Source: Rodrique (2010:2)
FIGURE 1: Drivers of change for future transportation
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