DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY, FACULTY OF PURE AND APPLIED

SCIENCES, FOURAH BAY COLLEGE, UNIVERSITY OF SIERRA LEONE

MODULE: GPHY422 TRANSPORTATION GEOGRAPHY

Course Duration: 3 Hours a week

Lecturer: Mrs Bockarie

Contact: 079014251; isapamela@googlemail.com

Course Content
Definition and scope of Transport Geography, Transport Systems and Network, Functions of
transportation, Flow Analysis, Transport Evaluation, Transport and Development, Transport
and Environment,

Course Description
The module deals with movement of people, goods and services from point to point. Its focus
is on the need for mobility which results from the spatial variation in human activities and
resource. It explores man’s desire to overcome geographical distance which is characterised by
both human and physical constraints. The module addresses important issues like the
perceptions by different bodies and discipline in the study of transport and the evolution of the
study. Equally, the Concepts of flow analysis demand and supply in transport study combined
with the different approaches involved in the study of transportation geography will be
adequately discussed. The module will similarly examine the effects of transport and the
transport systems on the environment will be identified and possible solutions to such
environmental problems examined and discussed. Furthermore, students will be familiarised
with the issues of transport planning and needs as essential ingredients to sustainable
development.
Course Justification
The study of transport Geography is justified by the need for Students to be familiarised with
the interaction between transport/transport systems and other spatial patterns and processes.
This stems from the importance of Geography in man’s daily activities which require
interactions between and among locations in geographic space.

Course Objective:
The global objective of the course is to help students develop a critical approach to the study of
transport and transport systems as spatial science. Therefore, it is expected that that student will
be able to:
● Know the meaning, nature and scope of Transport Geography
● Describe the different approaches of transport geography
● Outline the main features of transport network and flow
● Explain the distribution of transport features and the effects of transport on
economic development and the associated environmental outcome with mitigating
solutions to combat any negative effects of transportation
● To develop transport plans in relation to its needs

Course Requirement:
This module requires active student participation in all class activities; group work, class
discussion, individual or group presentation is a must.

Attendance by all GPHY 422 students should not be below 85%

Methods of Grading
Type of Assessment Scores (%)

Class Test 10

Class presentations and participation 15

Class Attendance 5

Examination – Second Semester 70

Total Score 100

 COURSE OUTLINE

Introduction to transportation Geography (Expectations and regulations)

● Module aims, Objectives and Outline,
● Allocation of Individual assignments / presentations

1.0 Meaning, Scope and Content of Transport Geography

1. The meaning of Transport Geography
2. The evolution and approaches of transportation geography
3. The Bases /Purpose of Transport Geography
4. Derived Transport Demand
5. The Functions/ Importance of Transportation
6. The key concepts of Transport Systems

Questions
● What is Transport Geography?
● Explain the interest of geographers in the study of Transport Geography
● How did transport geography become a discipline?
● What are the functions of transportation?
2.0 Transportation Systems and Networks

● Transport Network
● Transport Demand and Supply
● Transportation and Commercial Geography

Objective: To examine the transport Network and Transport demand and supply

Description:
It will describe and examine various network analysis relating to the complex transportation
systems.
Questions:
The demand for transport is generated by what factors?
What do you understand by Transport Supply?

Discuss the linkage between trade and commercial Geography?

Discuss the commercialisation of the transport industry?

 What is transport network?

Name the three approaches in the study of transport network in

Geography

3.0 Transportation Modes and Structure

Objective: To make students understand the various modes transport and structure with emphasis on
different terms being used in the analysis of transport.

The lecture will identify and define different terms being used in the analysis of transport form;
Transport system, Railway system, Road transport, Network, Routes, Nodes, terminals &
mode.

Questions:
Differentiate between railway system and road system.

What do you understand by Nodes, Mode and Terminals?

Reading List: Rodney Tolley and Bran Turton (1995): Transportation system
Policy and Planning – A Geographical Analysis.Longman.
Jean – Paul Rodriguez, et al (2006): The Geography of Transport system, Routtedge. London.

4.0 Transport and Development

● Transportation and economic development GIS and market areas analysis

● Transport as a factor of production
● Socio-economic impacts
● Global spatial organization
● Regional spatial organization
● Local spatial organization
● The importance of transport in location
Objective: This is about the association between transport and development which students
should know and appreciate.

Description:
The Lecture will examine the concept of development and the relationship between transport
and development: economic, social and political.

Questions:
What is Development?
What do you understand by the relationship between transport and development?
Mention some socio-economic importance of transport development in

your locality.
Reading List: - White H.P., and Senior M.L. (1963) Transport geography. Longman.

5.0 Transport and Environment

Objective: Students should be able to know that, though transport has positive impact on
development, it has equally negative impact in some cases.

Description:
This will emphasize the multidimensional nature of the relationship between transport and
Environmental problems; Direct, indirect and cumulative impacts will be the focus, Specific
problems such as air, noise, water pollution; soil quality, destruction of biodiversity and
climate change will be discussed with students.

Questions:
What do you understand by environmental problems?
Explain how emission from cars trains, industries etc contribute to climate change.
List some social environmental problems being influenced by transport

development.
Why do we need to solve environmental problems caused by Transport?
Reading List:
Whitelegg J. (1993) Transport for a sustainable future: The Case for Europe Belhaven.
Transet (1990) Energy, transport and the environment, Transet.
Solution to Environmental Problems caused by Transport Development.

Assignment / Presentation QUESTIONS

1. Describe the main transport modes in Sierra Leone and highlight the constraints ineffective
transport systems have imposed on the economic progress of the nation.

2. What are the five assumptions of Von Thunen under Uniform Transport surface?

3. Examine the role of transportation on tourism development

4. In your own view, what policies will you propose to reduce air and noise pollution caused by
road transport?

5. Examine the following shipping canals and their role in international shipping
i. Panama canal
ii. Suez canal
iii. Kiel canal
iv. The grand canal

REFERENCES
1. Rodney Tolley and Bran Turton (1995): Transportation System, Policy and Planning – A
Geographical Analysis. Longman
2. Brain Hoyle and Richard Knowles (1998): Modern Transport Geography.
Jxohn Wiley & sons
3. Jean – Paul Rodriquez, et al (2006): The Geography of Transport
Systems Routtedge. London
4. Hay, A. M. (1973) Transport for the Space Economy. Macmillan
5. Whitelegg J. (1993) Transport for a sustainable future: The Case of
 Europe Belhaven.
6. Transet (1990) Energy, Transport and the Environment
12. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transportation_geography