3.3 Modes of Transportation Quiz

Which mode of transportation is the most flexible and accounts for almost one-third of all U.S. for-hire transportation expenditures?

• Water carriers

• Air carriers

• Motor carriers

• Rail carriers

What is the primary disadvantage for motor carriers?

• Slow and inflexible service

• Weather and traffic problems

• High fixed and variable costs

• Limited geographic coverage

Which mode of transportation competes most favorably for long hauls and is less expensive than air and motor carriers?

• Air carriers

• Rail carriers

• Water carriers

• Motor carriers

What is a disadvantage for rail carriers compared to motor carriers?

• Service frequency

• Equipment availability

• Limited geographic coverage

• High shipment damage

For what type of goods is air transportation the best modal alternative?

• Inexpensive goods

• Goods for small cities

• Light, high-value goods for long distances

• Heavy and bulky cargo

What has reduced the ability of most passenger air carriers to haul cargo?

• Growth in markets such as China

• Increasing fuel prices

• Use of smaller, more fuel-efficient aircraft

• Recent economic recession

Which mode of transportation is very inexpensive but also very slow and inflexible?

• Air carriers

• Rail carriers

• Motor carriers

• Water carriers

What type of water transportation is very inexpensive but also very slow and inflexible?

• Ocean

• Inland waterway

• Lake

• Coastal

What is the primary advantage of motor carriers over rail carriers for short to medium hauls?

• Low fixed and variable costs

• Competitive pricing

• Door-to-door service

• Large shipment hauling

What is the primary advantage of rail carriers over motor carriers for long hauls?

• Large shipment hauling

• Point-to-point pickup and delivery service

• Competitive pricing

• Low fixed and variable costs