History of transport is the historiography of transportation It is the art of Studying, Gathering, Recording Narrating and Presenting Information on the events and Developments in the transport sector of the economy. It involves the study of the origin. evolution and development of the transport systems with a view to understanding the past and the present trends in the transport industry, a knowledge which wilI guide the future developments.
History of transport is a course and in its study. it is important to know that its scope covers the study of transport developments in all modes both at the national and international levels.
For a balanced knowledge therefore. the scope of the study of this subject should cover the following areas:
A. Local history of Transport, covering Nigeria transport systems.
B. Foreign History of Transport, including developed and developing countries
C. Contemporary History of Transport, a comparative narration and analyses of different national transport systems.
Therefore, History of Transport is the application of History as an art to the study of transport profession.
THE IMPORTANCE OF HISTORY OF TRANSPORT
Like History as an art subject, History of Transport is an important subject to Transportants. Its study is to prepare and equip scholars to have the following abilities:
1. To have the historical knowledge of the origin, events, evolutionary trends and developmental processes in the transport sector of the economy.
2. To appreciate the essence of gathering, recording and storing information about events, changes and developments in the transport industry.
3. To be equipped with the interest and ability of research works, records, production and presentation of historical documentaries chronologically.
4. To develop the ability of keeping and storing information and statisticaI data on transpon policies, programmes and implementations in order to have the basis for the present and future planning
5. To have the correct knowledge of transport deveIopments in all modes of the transport industry over the years.
WHAT IS TRANSPORT?
For a student to study History of Transport. It is necessary for the scholar to have an understanding or knowledge of what transport is all about.
DEFINITION 1:
Transport is a profession which studies the Arts, Science and Management of the operations and movement of Goods, People and Services. including logistics and Supply chain management. In this context, it is an educational discipline for the transport sector of the economy covering subject of all the modes of transportation ; Air Transport, Rail Transport, Road Transport, Shipping Management, Martine Transport, Seaport operations and management, Pipeline Transport Economic, Logistics ard Supply Chain Management, Transport Environment, Society and Tourism as well as allied subjects such as Policies, Corporate Strategies, Law, Marketing, Management, Finance and Accounting, Insurance, Economics, Geography and Planning etc.
DEFINITION 2:
Transport is the carriage of Goods, People and Services from place of origin to place of destination, either for owe account (private reasons) or for hire and reward.
DEFINITION 3:
Transport is the movement of Goods, People and Services from points of origin to points of destination safely, in time and at a bearable cost.
OTHER DEFINITIONS:
Transport is the movement of goods and passengers from their points of least utility to their points of hishest utility, commensurate with the price charged.
Transport provides the means of bridging the geographical gaps between producers and consumers, but it's function will not have been carried out properly unless the goods and passengers arrive safely at their destination (Benson, D. and WHITEHEAD. G. 1975).
Considering the role of transport in the economic developments of nations, LORD LUGARD (1922) stated that the material development of Africa may be up in the one word - Transport
HOYLE (1973): after considering the economic developmem of Africa countries and the contributions therein stated that, there is no escape from transport, even in the remote and least developed uninhabited regions, transport is a fundamental point of the daily rhythm of life.
While BADEJO (1994) identified important role of transport both in the over all development of a nation and the continued existence of industrial organizations and then described it as a motive power for economic growth of a nation, ADLER (1971) stated that transport infrastructure is a prerequisite, though by no means a guarantee of economic development.