Over the course of history, the ability of transporting people, animals and products to and from various points have changed dramatically. From the early days when people had to carry their own possessions, transportation has gone to include using animals to carry items to the more modern forms of transportation such as cars, trucks, ships, trains and airplanes.
- America on the Move: History of Transportation in America
- Smithsonian Transportation History
- Western Transportation History
- Transportation History (Duke University)
- Transportation History Collection
- History of Transport
While using animal power helped improve transportation in the United States by now allowing people to transport themselves and items hundreds and thousands of miles, going from one side of the country to another was a long and dangerous journey. Several technological inventions in the 20th century led to massive changes in the transportation industry. The invention of the automobile allowed travel by car and truck from one end of the country to another is a fraction of the time it used to take. Additional inventions of the airplane allowed transportation not only within the country, but also with faster transportation over the water. There were many innovations during the 20th century that allowed vast improvements in the transportation industry:
- History of Transportation Technologies
- Impact of the Auto in the 20th Century
- Transportation and Economic Development
- Timeline of Transportation Technology
- Transportation in the 21st Century
- Freight Transportation Improvements and the Economy
Even though the transportation industry has evolved over the past one hundred years, for the safety of people in the air, rails, waterways and roadways, governments have placed many restrictions on the transportation industry. For example, vehicles on roadways, whether they are personal vehicles or commercial vehicles, need to adhere to rules and regulations. The vehicles on our roads need to pass safety inspections, drivers need to be licensed to operate a vehicle and rules of the road need to be followed. There are many regulations that help keep the transportation industry safe:
- State and Local Regulation Resources
- Transportation Security Administration
- Safety and the US Department of Transportation
- National Highway Transportation Administration
- Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
- Motor Vehicle Safety
- OSHA Guidelines for the Trucking Industry
The transportation industry has undergone many changes over the past century. These changes have allowed the transportation of people and goods to be done more efficiently and at a greater cost savings. Here are some additional resources on the transportation industry:
