Source: adapted from Williams, A. (1992) "Transport and the Future", in B.S. Hoyle and R.D. Knowles (1992) Modern Transport Geography, London: Belhaven Press, pp.257-270
Evolution of the Transport Technology, 1750-2000
The era after 1750 is characterized by a mechanization of transport where each mode knew an evolution in motive methods and vehicles. The first most meaningful innovation was the steam engine that improved the performance of the maritime and railway modes toward the end of the eighteenth century. The internal combustion engine brought a large-scale application of technology on transportation modes, especially on road transport. It was followed by a large diffusion of cars, buses and trucks with the establishment of vast highway networks. For air transport, the internal combustion engine allowed heavier planes and innovations in air propulsion lead to jet planes that can quickly transport a large number of passengers.
The technological evolution of maritime transportation more affect vehicles than speed. Metallic hulls and fuel propulsion enabled the growth of ship size as well as their specialization (oil, freight, containers). The following table provides the main improvement of transport technology over the last four decades.
| Innovation | Characteristics | Role |
| Superships (1960-) | Bulk and tank vessels with a mass up to half a million deadweight tons. | Reduce transport costs through massive economies of scale. |
| Container vessels (1968-) | Vessel specifically designed to carry containers. | Carry primarily manufactured goods with the capacity to interface with major land transport systems. |
| Jet aircraft (1958-) | Fast an non-stop services between major urban centers. | Linked with the development of service activities such as banking, finance and tourism. |
| Fuel-efficient vehicles (1970-) | Reduction in fuel consumption due to lower weight and more efficient engines. | Enabled highway transport to increase its share of urban an intercity transport. |
| High-speed trains (1964-) | Trains capable of moving at speed higher than 200 km/hr. | Effective competition between intercity air and road transport in high density areas. |
Source: Adapted from Sletmo, G.K. (1989) "Shipping's Fourth Wave: Ship Management and Vernon's Trade Cycles", Maritime Policy and Management, Vol. 16, No. 4, pp. 293-303.