Transit Transportation
Transit transportation includes a variety of interrelated modes of transportation such as maritime, railway, road, and air travel. Regional developments and the expansion of globalization have increased the necessity for various modes of transportation to improve their technology in order to attain targeted capacity, including developed systems that fulfill overall transit demand inside a country and regionally. The transportation sector prioritizes innovation methods that provide modernisation, dependability, safety, and efficiency based on client preferences and expectations. According to Kaewunruen, Sussman, and Matsumoto (2016), different forms of transportation are interrelated, and innovation is required to boost the transportation industry's efficacy and efficiency. The path of success depends on adherence to policies as well as records of progress, technological capabilities, and incorporation of desired transport capacities.
Problem
Transportation in transit systems faces a lot of challenges which are based on the technical, social and economic systems considering they have to be adaptive with the environmental dynamics that are highly unpredictable. The primary problem in transit systems focuses on the engineering sector. Due to the technological advancement, engineers are faced with the issue of research and development of policies responsive to the local and international transportation and regulative standards (Kaewunruen et al., 2015). The transportation industry plays a critical role in the economic welfare of a country, and the involved engineering should be focused on advancing the design and operations along with the appropriate maintenance which ensures there are environmental benefits to the society as a whole. For instance, the shipping section requires a great focus as far as engineering is concerned. Measures need to be put in place to ensure that engineers develop strategies that help the sector to steer along shipping lines with minimal technical issues critical to staying competitive through cost-cutting and efficient transit standards. Though the engineering personnel has strived to advance the industry by coming up with inventions and applications that encompass automated commands like the use of robots and intelligent systems, the challenge remains in the research department that ensures standardization and technological adoption.
Significance of the Problem
These issues are interconnected, and the consequences are inevitable if warnings are not addressed appropriately and promptly. The vessels have to overcome challenges presented by severe floods, earthquakes, terrorism and hijackers, and other extreme events that cannot be eliminated with the adoption of the scientific knowledge. The scientific knowledge employed as well as the technology put in place have not been sufficient to revolutionize and transform transport industry in a way that it can progress without such uncertainties. The engineering properties and capacities have remained unchanged for quite long thus attracting high rates of labor turnover by the technical staffs, (Kaewunruen et al., 2015).
The other consequence is the increased maintenance costs due to lack of sufficient equipment. According to Fouda, (2012), the lack of efficiency in marine vessels used for public transit has caused transport sector significant financial costs due to faulty port equipment that often frustrate transportation owing to increased breakdowns and maintenance costs. Many incidents are believed to repeat themselves and cause delays while some go to the extent of causing loss of human life. The consequences have caused the customers and other stakeholders significant losses due to delays experienced from inconveniences witnessed in these events. Without appropriate monitoring and management of these systems, these events introduce new risks and threats to the marine transportation sector.
Alternative Actions
Several measures can be implemented in enhancing the maritime transport field. The industry has to understand the causes of these problems and conduct the necessary research regarding the required technical and scientific responses. The first proposed course of action is engaging the engineers, scientists and the policymakers in establishing appropriate structures and systems that cope efficiently with some typical uncertainties such as weather conditions and the threats posed by unfriendlies in the transit period. The transport industry must present an environment-friendly culture that will enhance the adaptability of climate dynamics which are caused by either natural or human factors. Thus the engineers and policymakers must collaborate in ensuring they implement concrete solutions that arise due to infrastructure resilience (Kaewunruen et al., 2015).
The other course of action applies the internet of things (IoT) approach. The other course of action applies the internet of things (IoT) approach which provides an excellent platform for the use of intelligence-based monitoring within the transport system. Since the outdated infrastructure poses greater risks due to their inability to detect early warnings, the transport industry must invest in exceptional conditions that can enhance prediction to achieve a safe and seamless service to the customers. The IoT is a system that ensures that there is intermarriage of strategic prioritization and risk management that encompasses detection systems and transit monitoring (Kaewunruen et al., 2015).
Recommendation
The adoption of the IoT is a superior alternative since it is the recent modernization tool that will help counter the inevitable challenges in a field that experiences problems associated with natural disasters, terrorist attacks, and accidents. An efficient and practical logistics of goods and services requires flexibility which requires the engineers to adapt transport strategies that are environmentally friendly and sustainable. IoT provides for a high-tech interaction for borderless logistics, especially in growing population. This technology accommodates customer requirements, travel behaviors, environmental changes, and also natural characteristics. There is an approach that incorporates modern systems such as cybersecurity, automated robots, and autonomous vehicles which have made a great contribution to meeting customer preferences.
References
Kaewunruen, S., Sussman J., & Matsumoto A. (2016) Grand challenges in transportation and transit systems. Front. Built Environ, 2(4). Doi: 10.3389/fbuil.2016.00004.
Fouda, R. (2012). Port and shipping express management: Faced by West and Central Africa in this century. Open Journal of Applied Science, 2, 294-297. doi:10.4236/ojapps.2012.24043.
