Transportation Systems In The USA

Transportation systems in the USA unite all corners of the country, whether it's for commerce or recreation. The main transportation systems in the USA are road, air, rail, and water networks. The vast majority of passenger travel occurs by automobile for shorter distances, and airplane for longer distances. Most cargo travels by air (mostly perishables and premium express shipments), boat, pipeline, truck or railroad. The main transportation systems in the US are outlined below.

Road:
Roads in the US serve the needs of both commercial and personal transit. Car ownership is widespread except in a few of the largest cities where extensive mass transit systems provide a convenient alternative. The Eisenhower Interstate Highway System's creation in the 1950s inspired the usage of private automobiles for both long-distance trips as well as daily commutes. The system is the largest expressway system in the world, spanning a total of 75,376 km. The Interstate system, which serves almost all major US cities, is part of a larger National Highway System, which includes approximately 256,000 kilometers of roadway, a fraction of the total mileage of roads. In addition to road transportation by car, there are long-distance passenger buses that travel between major cities and stop in smaller towns along the way. Greyhound Lines is the largest intercity bus company in the United States, with routes to all parts of the continental US. There are also many smaller regional bus companies. Bus travel is often used by students, since it's one of the least expensive ways to travel long distances.

Air:
Air travel passes through the 14,893 airports in the US, 5,174 of which have paved runways. Unlike many countries around the world, the US does not have one single national airline; passenger airlines in the United States are completely privatized. The US has over 200 domestic passenger and cargo airlines and a number of international carriers. 17 out of the world's 30 busiest airports for passenger travel are located in the United States, as well as 12 of the world's 30 busiest airports for cargo. In addition to using air transport for passengers and cargo, private aircraft are also used for medical emergencies, government agencies, large businesses, and some individual use.

Rail:
Up until the mid-twentieth century, passenger trains were a popular mode of transportation. Now, however, railways are predominantly used for freight, especially in the US, where rail systems are used extensively for this purpose. The US is home to States-the world's longest national railroad network: approximately 240,000 kilometres of mainline rail routes.

Water Transport:
Water transport is used for moving freight, but passenger service also connects many of the nation's islands and remote coastal areas. Fishing and pleasure boats are also numerous. Touching two oceans means a lot of coastline, and the US's numerous lakes and rivers also need to be accessible. Several major American seaports include New York to the east, Houston and New Orleans on the gulf coast and Los Angeles to the west. Aside from the Great Lakes, the United States has 41,009 km of navigable inland channels (rivers and canals), and the interior of the US has major shipping channels, via the St. Lawrence Seaway and the Mississippi River. The Erie Canal was the first water link between the Great Lakes and the Atlantic Ocean, thereby allowing rapid development in agriculture and industry in the Midwest, which made New York City the economic center of the country.

Public Transit:
Public transit in US cities and regions may include bus, train, heavy and/or light rail, and underground subway systems. Hours of operation and cost vary, and a schedule (timetable) for exact times is usually available on the Internet or in the local telephone book. Taxis are also readily available in most urban areas.

Transportation Fast Facts
The first cross-US car trip left San Francisco in 1903--a time when there were no gas stations and there was less than 150 miles (240 kilometers) of paved roads between coasts.

The first Transcontinental Railroad in the US was completed in 1869, with the driving of the "last spike" at Promontory Summit, Utah.

The famous Wright brothers' first glider flight at Kitty Hawk took place in 1900, while their first successful, powered, piloted flight took place in 1903-but lasted only 12 seconds.

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