Antitheft devices

Most vehicle theft is an increasing problem for owners, insurers, and manufacturers. The annual number of thefts increases almost every year, and the rate of thefts mat by expected to exceed 1 out of every 100 registered vehicles per year in the United States by the end of the 20^th century. The problem is, however not new. The 1900 Leach automobile featured a removable steering wheel that the driver could carry away to prevent unauthorized vehicle use. More recently, sophisticated electronic alarms, some of which incorporate radio beacons, and more tamper-resistant wiring electronic locks have been produced.

Safety systems

From its beginnings, the automobile posed serious hazards to public safety. Vehicle speed and weight provided an impact capacity for occupants and pedestrians that produced great numbers of fatalities (13,000 in 1920) and serious injuries. During the 20^th century, the rates of death and injury declined significantly in terms of vehicle miles. Because of the increased number of vehicles on the road, however, total fatalities have declined only slightly. Most fatal accidents occur on either city streets or secondary roads. Federal expressway systems are relatively safer. Driver training, vehicle maintenance, highway improvement, and law enforcement were identified as key areas with potential for improving safety, but the basic design of the vehicle itself and the addition of special safety features received increased attention. Safety features of automobiles come under two distinct headings: accident avoidance and occupant protection.

International transport

International transport refers to any of goods between countries. The journey may involve carriage only, but if the countries are separated by strength of water (sea or ocean), the crossing, or voyage if the distance is longer, will have to be organized specifically.

In both cases, the operations will normally resort to surface transport.

The transport of goods may be classified according to the countries where operation take place or to the means of transport – transport facilities – involved.

The choice of the means of conveyance depends on the communication network of the countries as well as on the nature of the goods and the cost of the transport operation.

Inland waterways (navigable rivers and canals) can also be of use for certain type of goods. Associating different means of transport gives rise to what is known as multimodal transport – or intermodal/combined transport – which has become more common with the development of containerization.

Road transport

Road transport is perhaps the most visible and common means of conveyance because of the presence on our roads of a great number of lorries whose variety stems from the necessity for carriers to meet the wide range of needs from shippers.

A road hauler (GB) or trucker (US) may own a fleet of vehicles, but part of their equipment can be rented from specialized firms for special shipments. They usually set up their business by determining a specific route and serving a few well-defined areas. Lorry drivers then commonly ply between the same cities and the experience they gain by so doing reinforces the efficiency of the service.

A semi-trailer – or articulated lorry – with an important payload, is mostly resorted to for a long haul in order to reduce transport costs. When an open-top trailer is used, a tarpaulin – or tilt – will protect the goods from the rain. A removal van carries all the furniture and belongings of a family moving house. A tanker lorry is especially designed for the transport of liquid cargoes, whether foodstuff, oil products or chemicals. Retailers and shopkeepers often have their orders brought to them by means of a delivery van.

More and more goods are transported in containers by both road and rail. This bimodal transport makes it necessary to tranship the goods from train onto lorries in a piggy-back terminal.

Road transport depends on the road network. Not all roads can be used by any sort of lorry and if motorways and main roads – or trunk roads – are generally available, as well as dual carriageways in great Britain, there may be a few limitations on secondary roads in order to prevent lorries from causing obstructions – or "hod-ups", "traffic-jams", "congestions". This may indeed be the case at certain junctions – or "crossroads" – which is one of the reasons why these are gradually being replaced by roundabouts. In the same way, level crossings which halt the traffic at regular intervals tend to disappear in modern road networks. Road works are another cause of delays and a diversion may have to be set up to avoid inconvenience.

Finally, when planning a route, haulers must remember that not all the roads and bridges are free, and they may have to pay a toll for part of the route.