Modern ways of travel
The rapid development of science and technology in the twentieth century led to the improvement of almost all existing modes of transport. The modern world is difficult to imagine without numerous mechanical means of transport - rail, road, water and air.
In the 1980s, high-speed passenger trains began to operate in some countries and can compete with aircraft at relatively short distances. One undeniable advantage is that a railway station, unlike an airport, can be located directly on the road.
Water transport can be divided into sea and river transport. The most important is maritime transport, which carries goods and passengers by sea and ocean, usually over long distances. There are different types of cargo vessels adapted for the transport of certain types of goods. In addition, sea and ocean cruises on modern comfortable liners are very popular. River navigation plays a significant role in local transport, mainly due to low freight costs.
Today, the main means of wheeled transport is a truck. Modern tractors are capable of transporting trailers with several dozen tons of cargo, and on Australian roads, there are road trains with four or five trailers, often weighing more than 100 tons. Public passenger transport by road is gradually becoming less important, as long distance travel by bus is far less comfortable and takes longer than travel by plane or express train. But at short distances, buses are still unparalleled. Private transport is a separate and growing industry. In most towns, taxis play an important role in the passenger transport network.
The main advantage of air transport is the possibility of fast movement of passengers and cargo over a considerable distance. Passenger air transport is the most active, although cargo aviation also plays a significant role - especially in areas where time is of key importance, such as courier and postal services or the delivery of perishable foodstuffs.
