landtransport

Land transport refers to the movement of people and goods over land using vehicles and other mobility devices. It covers motorized and non-motorized modes and excludes air and maritime travel. The principal components are road transport, rail transport, and non-motorized transport such as walking and cycling, with micromobility devices increasingly integrated into urban networks.

Road transport uses cars, buses, light and heavy trucks, and motorcycles. It is flexible and widely used for personal travel and freight but raises concerns about congestion, road safety, and local pollution. Infrastructure includes roads, highways, intersections, and traffic management systems. Regulation typically covers vehicle standards, licensing, speed limits, driver discipline, and emissions controls.

Rail transport uses trains on fixed tracks, providing high-capacity, energy-efficient movement for passengers and freight. It includes commuter lines, intercity services, and freight corridors, often supported by electrification and signaling systems. Rail requires substantial investment in infrastructure and rolling stock, along with safety and interoperability standards. Performance depends on track quality, scheduling, gauge compatibility, and market integration.

Non-motorized transport includes walking and cycling, supported by sidewalks, bike lanes, and pedestrian zones. This mode offers health, environmental, and urban-space benefits and is promoted through urban design, safety improvements, and traffic calming.

Trends in land transport emphasize multimodal planning to increase the use of public transport, shift freight to rail where feasible, and reduce emissions. Technological developments include vehicle electrification, autonomous driving, intelligent transport systems, and data-driven traffic management. Global differences in infrastructure quality and regulatory frameworks shape access, efficiency, and safety in land transport.