Transportation supports a range of spatial constructs associated with several scales of interaction investigated by transport geography.
- Local. The activity space is a variable spatial construct at the local scale and represents a range of origins and destinations individuals undertake within a time frame (daily, weekly). For instance, commuting is the outcome of the activity space of individuals moving from their place of residence to their place of work. Deliveries could be the activity space of local freight distribution, such as from warehouses to stores or home addresses (e-commerce). Fixed spatial constructs are neighborhoods or terminals, including a range of flows of passengers and freight. All of these can be considered within an urban transportation framework.
- Regional. At this level, the spatial constructs of networks and flows tend to become more ambiguous. They can take the form of metropolitan areas or urban regions (a series of cities) articulated along corridors. Main terminal facilities such as ports and airports interact with hinterlands (the joint location of all their customers or users).
- Global. Several spatial constructs consider global networks and flows. For instance, a landbridge is a long-distance corridor dominantly serviced by rail. Trade areas are also a common frame of reference under which markets and transport systems are articulated. The setting of global value chains has led to one most complex spatial constructs involving manufacturing and freight distribution.