Assignment 2
Semester 2 2025
Due 2025
, TRL2602
Assignment 02
Semester 02 2025
Due Year 2025
1.1 What are the most important factors that determine the characteristics of transport
supply?
Transport supply refers to the availability and capacity of transport infrastructure,
vehicles, and services that facilitate the movement of goods and people. Its
characteristics are shaped by multiple interrelated factors that determine efficiency,
reliability, and competitiveness.
Key Determining Factors
Infrastructure Availability
The quality, extent, and connectivity of infrastructure such as roads, railways, airports,
and seaports form the backbone of transport supply. For instance, advanced highway
systems enable smooth road operations, whereas inadequate infrastructure creates
bottlenecks that reduce supply efficiency (Rodrigue, 2020).
Capacity and Fleet Size
The number, type, and carrying capacity of vehicles, vessels, or aircraft directly shape
supply. Larger fleets with higher capacity expand supply, while limitations in fleet
availability restrict it. Container shipping illustrates this, as mega-ships have significantly
boosted global carrying capacity.