Chapter 1

TRANSPORT
Transportation
SYSTEMS
THIRD EDITION
and Geography
THE GEOGRAPHY OF

CONCEPTS

Copyright 1998-2015, Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of

Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University,
Hempstead, NY, 11549 USA.
Jean-Paul.Rodrigue@hofstra.edu
You may use the figures within for educational
purposes only. No modification or redistribution
permitted.
For more information: http://
people.hofstra.edu/geotrans

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Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot be
published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

THE GEOGRAPHY OF

TRANSPORT
SYSTEMS

What is Transport
Geography?

THIRD EDITION

Concept 1
Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot be
published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

The Core Principles of Transport Geography

Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot be
published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

The Sisyphus Analogy in Transportation

Ef
or
t

D
is
ta
n

ce

Volume

Friction

Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot be
published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

Transportability of Freight
Cargo

Weight

Storage

Fragility

Perishable

Coal

Heavy (0.83
g/cc)

Simple (piling)

None

None

Grain

Heavy (0.83
g/cc)

Average (silos)

Low

Low

Petroleum

Heavy (0.88
g/cc)

Simple (tanks)

None

None

Clothing

Average

Average
(distribution
center)

Low

None

Fruits

Average

Complex
(temperature
controlled)

High

High

Container

Average (15-20
tons)

Average
(stacking)

Low

Cargo
dependent

Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot be
published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

Transportation as a Derived Demand

Working
Direct

Commuti
ng

Activity
Vacation
ing

Manufac
turing

Taxi
Air
travel

Truck
Containe
rship

Services

Warehou
sing

Indirect

Services

Energy
Derived Demand
Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot be
published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

Diferent Representations of Distance

Euclidean Distance
A

Transport Distance
A

Delivery

Pickup
Mode 1

Transshipment
2
Mode

Logistical Distance
A

Order

Pickup

Order Processing
Packing
Scheduling

Mode 1

Delivery

B
Transshipment
2
e
Mod
Inventory Management
Sorting
Unpacking
Warehousing

Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot be
published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

The Spatial Consideration of a Movement

Walking Cycling

Driving

Movement

Friction of Distance
D(C)

D(D)

Time

D(W)

Distance (D)
Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot be
published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

Transportation and the Mobility of Passengers and

Freight

Share of total passengers or tons-km

Commuting
Shopping
Recreation

Fr

Commodity / Supply Chains eight

Trade
Waste disposal
Energy & Raw Materials
Local distribution
Business
Tourism
Migration

Passengers
Distance

Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot be
published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

Operational Diferences between Passengers and Freight

Transportation
Passengers

Freight

Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot be
published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

Spatial Flows
Trade

European
Power

a
c

b
d

Hinterland

City
Port
Hierarchical

Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot be
published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

Atomization versus Massification in Transportation Modes

Cruise ship

Passengers

Passenger train
Airplane

5,000

Bus
Car

1
Atomization
Person
Parcel
Part

1,000
50

500

Massificatio

100
25

Container

1,000
10,000

Truck
Cargo plane

100,000

400,000

Freight train
Containership

Tons

Bulk carrier & Tanker

Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot be
published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

Vehicle Use Indicators, World, 1950-2010

60

13,000
Annual car production (millions)
(left axis)

50

12,000

People per registered car (left axis)

11,000

40
10,000
30
9,000
20
8,000
10

7,000

6,000

Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot be
published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

Vehicle-Miles Traveled by Cars in the United States,

1960-2005
1,800,000,000.0
1,600,000,000.0
1,400,000,000.0
1,200,000,000.0
1,000,000,000.0
800,000,000.0
600,000,000.0
400,000,000.0
200,000,000.0
0.0
1960

1965

1970

1975

1980

1985

1990

1995

2000

2005

Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot be
published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

Transport and Communication Costs Indexes, 1920-2000

100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
1920

1930

1940
Sea freight1950
rates
1960
1970
1980
Air transport (Average revenue per passenger-km)
Telephone call (3 minutes, New York / London)
Computers

1990

2000

Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot be
published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

World Road and Rail Networks

Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot be
published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

Key Dimensions of Transportation

Dimension
Historical

Changes brought by transport technologies. Rise of

civilizations (e.g. Egypt, Rome and China). Development
of modern nation states. Globalization.

Economic

Transport and economic development (indirectly and

directly). Factor in the production and added-value of
goods and services. Facilitates economies of scale.
Influences land (real estate) value. Contributes to the
specialization of regions.

Social

Access to healthcare, welfare, and cultural events.

Shape social interactions.

Political

Nation building and national unity. National defense

(Roman empire, American road network). Rules and
regulations. Mobility often subsidized (e.g. public transit
or highways).

Environmental

Important environmental impacts. Pollution, exploitation

of natural resources.

Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot be
published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

Core Components of Transportation

Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot be
published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

Complex Systems and Transportation

Characterist Description
ic

Transportation
System

Adaptability

Elements adapt to the action of

other components and to changes
in their environment.

Transport companies
competing in ofering
services.

Selforganization

Autonomous adaptation to
changing conditions as a result of
the adaptability of the individual
components.

Routing. Supply chain

management.

Attractors

A recognizable dynamic state of a

system that may continuously
reappear.

Land use. Transport

terminals.

Non-linearity

Changes in one property or

component may have a
disproportionately large efect on
another property or component.

Congestion.

Phase
transition

A systems behavior may change

Containerization. Peak
radically, and sometimes
oil.
irreversibly,
when
a certain
Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue,
Dept. of Global Studies & Geography,
Hofstra University.
For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot be
published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

Fields of Transport Geography

Environmental
Natural Resource
studies resources planning PLANNING

NATURAL SCIENCES

Cartography Field
TransportPopulationRegional
methods demand geographyplanning
Spatial
MATHEMATICS,
Information
Transport Transport Regional Regional
statistics,
COMPUTER systems
economics
modeling networks nodes geography
SCIENCE
ECONOMICS

Operations Spatial Economic Political Historical World

researchoptimization
geographyGeography
geographygeography
POLITICAL HISTORY
SCIENCE
ECONOMICS,
SOCIOLOGY

Land
use

Urban Location ECONOMICS

geography theory

Transport geography

Passengers

Fields at the core of

transport geography
Fields related to
transport geography

Freight Information

Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot be
published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

The Transport System

Demand

ct
u
In
fra
st
ru

Networks

ns

Linkages
Capacity

Passengers

tio
ca
Lo

re
s

Volume
Frequency

Freight Information

Flows

Origins
Destinations
Intermediacy

Nodes

Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot be
published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

Dimensions of Transport Geography

Environment

g
n

Technology

Freight Information

y
g hy
lo p
io r a
oc g
S mo
e
D

P
la
P nn
ol i
ic ng
y

Economics

ri
ee
in

C M
om a
p th
u em
te
r at
sc ic
ie s
n
ce

g
En

Passengers

History

Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot be
published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

Two Common Fallacies in Transport Geography

Access vs. Accessibility

Distance vs. Time

55
30

50

35
65

50
25

35

40

30

35

30

30 40
40 45

c
60

55

65

65

60

Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot be
published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

Common Problems for Transport Systems

Capacity

Transfer
Hub / Gateway
Terminal
Route

Bottleneck

Reliability

Integration

Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot be
published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

THE GEOGRAPHY OF

TRANSPORT
SYSTEMS

Transportation and
Space

THIRD EDITION

Concept 2
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published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

Absolute, Relative and Arbitrary Barriers

Absolute Barrier

Arbitrary Barrier

Modal Change

Detour

Relative Barrier

B
Arbitrary Barrier

Low
High
Friction

Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot be
published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

Worlds Longest Tunnels Used for Transportation

Name

Location

Traffic

Openin
g

Length

Gotthard Base
Tunnel

Swiss Alps

Rail

2017

57.1 km

Seikan Tunnel

Strait of Tsugaru,
Japan

Rail

1988

53.8 km

Channel Tunnel

English Channel
(UK-France)

Rail (High
speed)

1994

50.4 km

Ltschberg Base
Tunnel

Swiss Alps

Rail

2007

34.6 km

Guadarrama
Tunnel

Sierra de
Guadarrama,
Spain

Rail (High
speed)

2007

28.4 km

Taihang Tunnel

Taihang
Mountains, China

Rail (High
speed)

2008

27.8 km

Iwate-Ichinohe
Tunnel

u Mountains,
Japan

Rail (High
speed)

2002

25.8 km

Lrdal Tunnel

Lrdal - Aurland,

Road

2000

24.5 km

Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot be
published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

The Geographical Space of Maritime Transportation

Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot be
published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

Circum-Equatorial Maritime Route

Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot be
published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

Polar Shipping Routes

Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot be
published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

Great Circle Distance between New York, Moscow and

Tokyo

Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot be
published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

Global Wind Patterns

Principle
Cold
(Pole)
Warm (Equator)

Polar
Cell
Polar Front

Ferrel
Cell

Horse Latitudes
Hadley
Cell
Intertropical Convergence Zone
TRADE WINDS

Cold
(Pole)

WESTERLIES

Global Structure
Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot be
published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

Seasonal
Variation of
Global Wind
Patterns

Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot be
published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

Major Oceanic Gyres and Sea Currents

Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot be
published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

Transport, Site and Situation

Site (Amenities)
Economic
Infrastructure
Physical
Local
Regional

Situation (Connectivity)

Global

Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot be
published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

The Spatial Structure and Transportation

Location

Distance

Fixedness

Attributes

Relativity

Dynamics

Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot be
published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

Transportation Networks and Geographical Specialization

Diversification

Specialization

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published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

Transportation Networks and Geographical

Concentration

Dispersion

Concentration

Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot be
published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

Transport as a Centralizing and Decentralizing

Force (under construction)

Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot be
published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

Space / Time Convergence

Travel Time (A B)

T1 (1950)

A
A

TT

6.2 hours

2.6 hours

B
B

T2 (2000)

T
Time

Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot be
published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

Regional Space / Time Convergence, (London

Edinburgh, New York Boston)
10,000

1,000
Travel Time (Minutes)
London - Edinburgh
(520 km)
100

10
1650

1700

1750

1800

1850

1900

1950

2000

Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot be
published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

Global Space / Time Convergence: Days

Required to Circumnavigate the Globe
400
(1500-1840)
Average speed of wagon and sail ships: 16 km/hr
360
350
300

Industrial Revolution
250
Days
200
150

1850-1930 Average speed of trains: 100 km/hr.

Space
Average speed of steamships: 25 km/hr

/ Time
Convergence

1950 Average speed of airplanes: 480-640 km/hr

150
100

100
50
0
1850

1875

1900

Modern Era

1970 Average speed of jet planes: 800-1120 k

60
1990 Numeric transmission: instantaneous

1925

1950

1975

2000

Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot be
published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

Mail Delivery Times between New York and San

Francisco, 1840-2000
40
35
30
25
Days

20
15
10
5
0
1840

1860

1880

1900

1920

1940

1960

1980

2000

Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot be
published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

Cumulative Distribution of per Capita Trip Rate for all

Modes by Trip Distance, 1995
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
0

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

KM
USA

UK

Developing countries

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published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

Speed Improvement Potential by Transport Mode

Mode

Potential

Main Issues

Road (automobiles,
buses, trucks)

None to limited

Congestion.
Operational safety (speed
limits).
Limited access highways.

Rail (Freight)

Limited

Operational safety (grade

crossings).
Availability of train slots.
Terminal capacity.

Rail (Passengers)

Good to
significant

Development of high speed rail

systems.
Long term potential of new
technologies (e.g. Maglev).

Air

None to limited

Energy consumption.
Congestion at airport terminals.
Abandonment of supersonic
services.

Maritime

None to limited

Energy consumption (slow

Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or steaming).
classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot be
published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

Global Accessibility: Time to the Nearest Large City

Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot be
published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

THE GEOGRAPHY OF

TRANSPORT
SYSTEMS

Transportation and
Commercial Geography

THIRD EDITION

Concept 3
Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Economies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot
be published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

Dimensions of Economic Geography

A: Product
B: Production
C: Innovation
D: Difusion
C

B
A
D

Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot be
published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

World GDP, 1AD - 2008

80%
70%
60%
United Kingdom
Italy
Germany
France
United States
Japan
India
China

50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%

1000 1500 1600 1700 1820 1870 1900 1913 1940 1970 2008

Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Economies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot
be published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

World Nominal GDP, 2011 (in $US Trillion)

South Korea
Mexico
Australia
Spain
Canada
India
Russian Federation
Italy
United Kingdom
Brazil
France
Germany
Japan
China
United States

1,116,247,000,000.00
1,155,316,000,000.00
1,371,764,000,000.00
1,490,810,000,000.00
1,736,051,000,000.00
1,847,981,000,000.00
1,857,770,000,000.00
2,194,750,000,000.00
2,431,589,000,000.00
2,476,652,000,000.00
2,773,072,000,000.00
3,570,556,000,000.00
5,867,154,000,000.00
7,318,499,000,000.00
15,094,025,000,000.00

Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Economies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot
be published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

Share of the World GDP, 2008 (Current USD)

United States; 20%

Rest of the world; 47%

Japan; 7%

China; 6%
Germany; 5%
Other G8; 15%
Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Economies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot
be published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

Global Gross Domestic Product and Human Development

Index, 2010

Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Economies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot
be published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

The Economic Output of the World's Major Metropolitan

Areas, 2012

Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot be
published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

Economic, Transport and Commercial Geography

Sphere of Transactions
Sphere of Circulation
Movements

Transactions

Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot be
published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

Economic, Transport and Commercial Geography

Activitie
s

Space

Transacti
ons

Circulati
on

Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot be
published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

Competitive Advantages
Added
Value

Scarcity

Imitation
cost

Low

Competitiv
e
Disadvanta
ge
Competitiv
e Parity
Temporary
Competitive
Advantage

High

Sustained
Competitive
Advantage

Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Economies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot
be published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

Worldwide Centers of Commerce Index, 2008

Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot be
published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

Global Financial Centers, 2012

Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot be
published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

World's 250 Largest Corporations by Head Office City

Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Economies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot
be published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

Global Manufacturing, 2009

Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Economies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot
be published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

GDP Share of Manufacturing, Selected Countries, 19702012

50%
45%
40%
35%
30%
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%

Brazil
Germany

China
United States

India
World

Japan

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be published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

Employment in Industry (in % of total Employment),

1980-2011
50
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0

Brazil
Germany

China
United States

India
World

Japan

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published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

The Transition Towards Added-Value

Comparative Advantages
CompetitivenessCapabilities
Added-value /
Complexity

High

Share of
Manufacturing

Low
GDP per capita
Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot be
published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

Drivers of Change in Manufacturing

Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot be
published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

Share of Asia in the Value of World Trade, 1980-2012

35.0%

30.0%

25.0%

20.0%

Exports
Imports

15.0%

10.0%
19801982198419861988199019921994199619982000200220042006200820102012
Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Economies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot
be published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

Increases in U.S. Commercial Freight Shipments and

Related Growth Factors, 19932002
Retail goods sales

61.8

Wholesale goods sales

51.3

Value of freight shipments

45.3

Gross Domestic Product

33.9

Manufacturer's goods sales

28.3

Ton-miles of freight

23.8

Tons of freight

18.4

Employment
Resident population

13.5
10.8

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Economies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot
be published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

Monthly Retail Sales and Inventories, United States,

1992-2014
450,000

400,000

1.8

350,000
300,000
250,000
Millions of Dollars

200,000
150,000
100,000

1.6
1.4
1.2
Ratio Inventories / Sales
1
0.8

50,000

0.6

0.4

Retail Sales
End of Month Retail Inventories
Ratio Inventories / Sales

Trend (Retail Sales)

Trend (Retail Inventories)
Trend (Ratio Inventories / Sales)

Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot be
published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

Value of U.S. Merchandise Trade with Canada and

Mexico, 1990-2013
1,000,000,000,000
900,000,000,000
800,000,000,000
Current USD

U.S. surface trade with

NAFTA partners
Canada
Mexico

700,000,000,000
600,000,000,000
500,000,000,000
400,000,000,000
300,000,000,000
200,000,000,000
100,000,000,000
0
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
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be published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

The Worlds 20 Largest Corporations by Market Value,

2013 ($US millions)
Roche
China Construction Bank
Pfizer
Royal Dutch Shell
Procter & Gamble
Google
China Mobile
Samsung
Johnson & Johnson
Industrial & Commerical Bank of China
Chevron
Nestle
IBM
Microsoft
General Electric
Wal-Mart
PetroChina
Berkshire Hathaway
Exxon Mobil
Apple
0

100,000

200,000

300,000

400,000

500,000

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be published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

Global Inflows of Foreign Direct Investments, 1990-2012

(in Millions of Current $US)
2,000,000
1,800,000

Developing
countries

1,600,000
1,400,000
1,200,000
1,000,000
800,000
600,000
400,000
200,000
0
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
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be published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) Inflows in China, 19792002 (in M USD)

60,000

50,000

40,000

30,000

20,000

10,000

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published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

Worldwide Mergers and Acquisitions, 1987-2006 (in

millions current USD)
1,200,000

1,000,000

800,000

600,000

400,000

200,000

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be published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

The Commercialization of Transportation

Market Size

Global

ntia
e
t
o
P
t
Marke

Integrated demand

Standardization and integration

Expansion and interconnection

Number of providers

Introduction (isolation / proprietary)

Local

Time

Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Economies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot
be published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

Major Commercial Actors in Freight Distribution

Transport Sector

Function

Maritime shipping
companies

Control long distance segments of the global freight distribution linking major markets.
Highly capital intensive industry. Decide of their network configuration (ports of call
and routing).

Global port terminal

operators

Control important intermodal infrastructures (terminals) within the worlds largest

container ports. Have strong linkages with maritime shipping companies.

Port authorities

Manage and plan port infrastructures. Tend to lease terminal operations. Important
intermediaries for regional distribution (hinterland).

Real estate promoters

Develop logistics zones (build to lease, build to suit), often in coordination with
terminals (rail and port). Manage a real estate portfolio of distribution centers (leases).

Maritime lock and canal

operators

Operate strategic passages in global and national distribution (e.g. the Panama Canal,
the Suez Canal or the St. Lawrence Seaway).

Rail and rail terminal

operators

Strategic inland freight carriers transporting a wide array of raw materials and
commodities. Responsible for many of the transshipments between rail and road,
particularly for containerized freight.

Trucking industry

Control vast and diverse assets that include critical segments of freight distribution in
all economic sectors. Short and medium haul transport.

Third party logistics

providers

Important managerial and organizational skills within supply chains. Often act as
brokers between transport customers and service providers. Some own and operate
transport assets.

Air freight transport

companies and air freight
terminals

Important assets for the rapid distribution of high value added freight. Decide of their
network configuration (airports serviced).

Freight forwarders

Perform tasks such as packaging, labeling and the consolidation of shipments on

behalf of their customers. Operate distribution centers. Define how markets are
serviced. Can subcontract to third party providers.

Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Economies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot
be published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

The Relevance of Logistics

Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot be
published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

The Nature of a Supply Chain

In-process inventory
Inventory

Supplier

Parts or
Parts or
raw materials
finished goods

Inventory

Orders

Manufacturer / Orders
TransportationDistributor Transportation

Customer

Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Economies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot
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Commercial Footprint

Footprint of Retail-Based and Distribution-Based

Commercial Activities
Information Technologies
COMMERCIAL
E-COMMERCIAL

Total Footprint

Distribution Footprin
Retail Footprint

Distribution-Based

Retail-Based
Store

Distribution center
Consumer
Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot be
published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

Factors behind Empty Transport Flows

Imbalanced Flows

Haul

Cargo / Equipment Specialization

Haul
Empty Backhaul

Backhaul

Empty

Haul
Empty Backhaul

Short Hauls

Regulatory Constraints

C
A

A
B

Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot be
published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

THE GEOGRAPHY OF

TRANSPORT
SYSTEMS
THIRD EDITION

The Geography of
Transportation
Networks

Concept 4
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published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

Types of Networks (under construction)

Physical / structural
Relational / virtual
Distribution

Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot be
published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

Network Structures

Centralized

Decentralized

Distributed

Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot be
published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

Structural Components of Transport Networks

FEEDER
Flow

NODE

HUB

GATEWAY
Link

Corridor

Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot be
published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

Types of Flows

Continuous / Discontinuous
Symmetrical / Asymmetrical
Balanced / Imbalanced

Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot be
published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

Centrifugal and Centripetal Networks

Centrifugal

Centripetal

Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot be
published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

Point-to-Point and Hub-and-Spoke Networks

Point-to-Point

Hub-and-Spoke

Hub

Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot be
published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

Cost Structure of Point-to-Point and Hub-andSpoke Networks

Point-to-Point Total Costs
Hub-and-Spoke Total Costs
3,000
550

550

3,000
5
2
1,550 5

525
3,000

3,000

3,000
Total: 15,000

525

550

5
2
5
550

Total: 5,850

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published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

Detour Level in a Hub-and-Spoke Network

Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot be
published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

Impacts of Integration Processes on Networks

and Flows
After Integration

Network

Before Integration

Flows

International border

Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot be
published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

Cost, Revenue and Level of Network Coverage

A
5

4
3

Cost: 10
10
Revenue: 15
Benefit: 5

B
Cost: 12
Revenue: 18
Benefit: 6
C

Cost: 14
Revenue: 25
Benefit: 11
Cost: 19
Revenue: 29
Benefit: 10

Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot be
published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

Transport Rates and Network Structure

Rate

Low
High

Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot be
published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

Topology of a Network

Link

Unidirectional link
Bi-directional link

Node

Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot be
published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

Network Topologies
Mesh

Linear

Hub-and-Spoke

Tree

Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot be
published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

Network Geometry and Number of Links

For each node to be linked to another
node
For all
the nodes to be linked together
Even number of nodesOdd number of nodes

n/2 = 2

(n+1)/2 = 3

n-1 = 5

For each node to be linked to all other

Number
nodesof possible combinations

n(n-1)/2 = 10

2(n-1)/2 = 8

Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot be
published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

Minimum Network

Average Path Length

Fully Connected Network

Topology and Network Connectivity

Geographic Barrier

Network Length

Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot be
published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

Abstraction level
Concrete

Relative location

Abstract
1

Orientation and
extent

Modes and
Terminals

Railyard Port
Maritime
Rail
Road
Depot
Continuous

5
1

Number of edges

6and nodes

Highway Secondary road

100

125 km

t /h r
3500

50

90 km

Distance, road type

and control of
the vehicle

8000
t/hr

Volume and
direction
Hierarchical

0.3

Typology of
Transportat
ion
Networks

Divided

Type of traffic

Load and
capacity

Non- hierarchical

0.9

0.7
0.5

0.7

Type of
correspondence

Linear

Pattern

Mesh

Random

Change (dynamics)

Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot be
published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

Transport Networks and Space

Transport Network

Space

Accessibility
Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot be
published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

Mode of Territorial Occupation by Transport

Networks
Overlap

Rail

Air corridor

r v ic
e
s
No

Road

Cellular coverage
idor
r
r
o
c
e
Maritim

Clearly Defined

Vaguely Defined

Without Definition

Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot be
published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

Network Strategies to Service a Set of Locations

Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot be
published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

Absolute and Relative Distance in a Network

Absolute Distance

10 km

Relative Distance

30 minutes

Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot be
published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

Networks and Spatial Continuity

Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot be
published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

Spatial Continuity by Transportation Mode

Ubiquity

Fractionalization

Instantaneity

Automobil
e

High (road
coverage the
most extensive)

None (1 passenger
= 1 movement)

High (available on
demand)

Transit

Average (within
metropolitan
areas)

Average (bus loads

or train loads)

Average to high
(fixed high
frequency
schedules)

Air
transport

Limited to
airports
(common)

Average (plane
Average (fixed
loads from 50 to 500 schedules and
passengers)
connections)

Maritime

Limited to ports
(rare)

High (ship loads,

reinforced by
economies of scale)

Low (fixed
schedules and
connections)

Rail

Limited to rail
terminals
(common)

Average (train
loads)

Average (fixed
schedule)

Pipeline

Limited to
network

Low (continuous
flow)

High (continuous
flow)

Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot be
published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

Networks as Tools of Spatial Cohesion (Control)

Period

Emerging
Network

Outcome

Pre-colonial

Fluvial, coastal and

road

Empire building

Colonial Era

Maritime

Trade, exploitation and

political control

19th Century

Canal and rail

Nation building,
commerce and political
control

20th Century

Highways and air

National and
transnational integration

21st Century

Telecommunication

Global supply chains

Copyright 1998-2015, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot be
published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. This includes conference presentations. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.