Road transportation

Road transportation can be considered one of the most important methods of transporting passengers and goods, both nationally and internationally, with a long history dating back to human civilization.

It should be noted that we have used the road transportation system many times in our lives. However, it differs from rail and sea transportation and has its own specific regulations.

Improving the quality of life in any country is one of the main concerns of its people in the context of development. Generally, governments strive to improve the welfare of society and enhance their position and role in global equations by accelerating the development process. Achieving such goals requires the creation of appropriate infrastructure, including physical infrastructure such as roads and railways. Developing the road transportation network is traditionally one of the responsibilities of governments.

Road transportation is one of the different modes of land transportation, divided into two categories of passenger and cargo transportation. In most countries, including Iran, the necessary licenses, regulations, and even licenses are different for both the cargo and passenger transport sectors.

Road transportation has a long history dating back to human civilization, and with the passage of time and the expansion of urbanization, the need for suitable tools for business development and the transport of various goods and materials arose. This method of transportation has been one of the oldest ways of moving various goods and cargoes, and has been beneficial for both parties in terms of speed and cost, which is why entrepreneurs and transportation companies have emerged in this field.

The Romans built the first sturdy and modern roads. They used these roads to move soldiers, people, and transport goods and gradually formed regular organizations for transporting cargo and passengers. In Iran, during the years 400 to 500 BC, a network of roads was established, connecting the capital with all the provinces. In ancient times in the country, couriers known as “chapaar” were used to send government orders, messages and commands from one point to another throughout the country.

In our country, although there are various methods of transportation such as rail, air and sea transportation for the transfer of goods and passengers, road transportation is still one of the most commonly used methods. One of the main reasons for this is its affordability. This sector plays an important role in domestic and international transportation with an annual statistics of 600 million tons of cargo and 10 million tons of transit cargo.

We all know that since the early days of the formation of cities, the need for transportation has arisen and gradually become prevalent, and has a history of ups and downs.

In ancient times, road transportation was carried out with the help of four-legged animals and carts, but with the passage of time and the advancement of technology and the construction of advanced vehicles, this type of transportation has also progressed and today, it is carried out through vehicles such as cars, buses, vans and even bicycles.

Typically, both small and large cargo transportation between two destinations is carried out through the relevant road transport companies, which are different from passenger transport companies.

In addition to all of these, the nature of cargo transportation on the road is such that it depends to a large extent on various factors such as road infrastructure, the distance between origin and destination, and the volume and type of cargo.

Considering the mentioned factors, it can be concluded that there are different methods of transporting goods on the road, and different machines are used for each type of cargo.

Types of Road Transportation Vehicles:

As mentioned, road transportation is divided into two main categories:

Cargo transportation
Passenger transportation

Each category uses its own specific vehicles, with personal vehicles, vans, minibuses, and buses commonly used for passenger transportation.

However, for cargo transportation on the road, the type of vehicle used depends on the type, distance, volume, and weight of the cargo. The following are some of the commonly used vehicles for transporting cargo on the road:

Types of Road Freight Vehicles:

The most commonly used road transportation vehicles are as follows:

Various types of light and small cargo vans
Pickup trucks, single-axle and double-axle trucks (semi-heavy-duty vehicles)
Trailers, flatbeds, ten-ton trucks, compressors, etc. (heavy-duty cargo vehicles)
Articulated lorries and heavy-duty trucks (for carrying extremely heavy or traffic-loaded cargo)
Other vehicles

It is important to note that safety plays a very important role in transportation, so it is essential to load, secure, and use the appropriate transportation vehicles to ensure the safe and proper transportation of goods.

Factors Affecting Road Transportation:

Numerous factors have a significant impact on road transportation, which we briefly discuss in this section.

Distance:

It is not recommended to use this mode of transportation for long distances as it increases the risk of damage to the cargo.

Type of Freight Vehicle:

This includes various types of heavy-duty, semi-heavy-duty, and light-duty vehicles that should be selected based on the type of cargo being transported.

Accidents and Incidents:

Another important factor to consider is natural and man-made incidents, which are unavoidable. Necessary measures, such as carrying a first aid kit, should be taken to deal with such incidents.

Weather Conditions:

When transporting cargo or passengers, ensure that there is no risk of floods, storms, etc. If the weather is rainy or snowy, make sure to have the necessary equipment.

Advantages and Considerations of Road Transportation:

A quick look at road transportation reveals its strengths, including:

Low Capital Investment for Road Transportation:

One of the most important advantages of road transportation is that it requires very little capital investment. Compared to other transportation methods, such as rail, air, and sea transportation, road transportation is much less expensive.

On the other hand, it is worth noting that creating suitable roads and infrastructure for road transportation is a very cost-effective and economical method for governments. This has made this method very popular today, and we are even witnessing international transportation through roads Reducing Ancillary Costs:

Another important advantage of road transportation that should be considered is the significant reduction in ancillary costs, such as packaging, loading, unloading, etc. In fact, the advantage of this method is that goods are taken from the warehouse door in the origin city and delivered to the warehouse door in the destination city.

This has made it easy for people who are looking for a fast and cost-effective method for transporting goods to use this method for transit and transportation.

Serving Rural and Remote Areas

Another important advantage of road transportation is the ability to provide services to rural and underdeveloped areas. This has made it possible for people to easily carry out the process of road transportation, even in areas that do not have suitable infrastructure, and to meet the needs of people living in such areas.

To give an example, it should be noted that transportation through rail or air routes requires advanced infrastructure, while road transportation can be done with very low costs and limited infrastructure.

Flexibility

Compared to other transportation methods, if you use road transportation, you can meet your needs with high flexibility. In fact, in this method, you choose the route and timing of the transit of goods yourself, and for this reason, you can carry out these processes with high flexibility.

Fast and Cost-Effective Transit for Short Distances

Another very important point to consider is that the process of transit for short distances is very fast and cost-effective in this method, and this has made people who are looking for low-cost and high-speed transportation for short distances turn to road transportation to meet their needs.

Speed in Delivery

In this method, cargo and freight can be delivered to the destination as quickly as possible and with prior planning.

Direct Shipping

It is possible to receive the cargo from the origin and deliver it directly to the destination without intermediaries through this method.

Suitable for Long Distances

Individuals can use this method for the transportation of their goods and cargos for long distances and even international transportation.

Tracking and Tracing

You can easily track your cargo using GPS tracking through this transportation method.

Disadvantages:

After examining the advantages of road transportation, it is important to note that we see various disadvantages in international road transportation. Paying attention to this issue allows you to use this method for transportation with a complete view. In this regard, if we want to familiarize you with the disadvantages of road transportation, we can mention the following:

Direct Impact of Seasonal Conditions:

One of the most significant drawbacks of road transportation is its direct susceptibility to seasonal conditions. Due to the specific conditions of road transportation, this method is not a suitable and safe option for transit during inclement weather and rainy seasons. This is because unexpected events in different seasons can damage the roads, making international and domestic transportation by road face serious challenges.

High Percentage of Accidents and Road Hazards

One major disadvantage of transporting goods by land routes is the high likelihood of road accidents. Due to the unique conditions of road transportation, it is important to consider that there is always the possibility of problems such as accidents on these routes. This is in contrast to rail, air, or sea routes, which do not face such problems. However, accidents are an inseparable part of road transportation.

Limitations on Cargo

It is important to note that there are limitations on cargo in this method, and some cargos may not have the appropriate volume or weight for road transportation.

Not Always Cost-Effective

It may not be cost-effective to use this method for some long distances.

Environmental Unfriendliness

Compared to rail transportation, this method is not an environmentally-friendly option.