Source: adapted from EU-funded Urban Transport Research Project Results.
There are fundamental differences between passenger and freight transport systems, as they commonly use separate conveyances and, occasionally, operate on separate networks. However, the differences are most acute at their respective terminals, since they involve facilities that are often located in different places. This is particularly the case for rail transportation, where passenger and freight terminals are at very different locations. Rail passenger terminals are usually located in central urban areas, while rail freight terminals are located on the periphery. Airports share the same location but usually have distinct facilities for passengers and freight within the complex, with the exception of luggage handling. A similar observation applies to ports where cruise and ferry terminals are distinct from other freight-only facilities, such as bulk and container terminals.
While each passenger is an independent decision-making unit, each freight load must be managed from its origin to its destination, which is the purpose of logistics. Passengers make their own mobility decisions, including modal choice, which may not always be rational, as they may prioritize utility and comfort.
In the above figure, the passenger terminal relates to Chek Lap Kok airport in Hong Kong, while the freight terminal concerns a distribution center in Shenzhen (China). Although they are located just 40 km apart, they are operationally a world apart.