Lesson 7 Transportation Sy stems交通运输系统 Transportation system in a developed nation consists of a network of modes that have evolved over many years. The system consists of vehicles, guideways, terminal facilities and control systems: these operate according to established procedures and schedules in the air, on land, and on water. The system also requires interaction with the user, the operator and the environment. The systems that are in place reflect the multitude of decisions made by shippers, carriers, government, individual travelers, and affected nonusers concerning the investment in or the use of transportation. The transportation system that has evolved has produced a variety of modes that complement each other. 在发达国家，交通运输系统由网状结构组成的模式已经发展了好多年。这个系统由交通工具、轨道、站场设施和控制系统组成。这些依照空中、陆上和水上已制定的程序和计划运转。这个系统也需要和用户、司机和环境互动。现在的运输体系可以反映出与投资和使用有关的多方决定，包括运输业主、承运商、政府、每个出行者以及受影响的非使用者等。逐步发展的交通运输系统形成了各种互补模式。 The U. S. transportation system today is a highly developed, complex network of modes and facilities that furnishes shippers and travelers with a wide range of choices in terms of services provided. Each mode offers a unique set of service characteristics in terms of travel time, frequency, comfort, reliability, convenience and safety. The term level of service is used to describe the relative values of these attributes. The traveler or shipper must compare the level of service offered with the cost in order to make tradeoffs and mode selection. Furthermore, a shipper or traveler can decide to use a public carrier or to use private (or personal) transportation. For example, a ...
