Source: adapted from US Department of Commerce & Nielsen Home Technology Report. US Census Bureau, (Table No. 1440. Selected Communications Media: 1920 to 1998). Telephone includes land lines and cell phones. Broadband includes Wi-Fi. The diffusion of telecommunications follows a typical logistic curve from an early phase of adoption, a
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Information Technologies and the Corporate Structure
A conventional (Fordist) corporate structure leans on a hierarchical organization, compartmentalizing the decision-thinking process. Decisions and information move vertically between the levels of the hierarchy. This structure is usually contained within the same building for a small to a medium-sized corporation, over several floors when required. Managers usually have direct
Mail Carried by USPS and Parcels Carried by Major Carriers, United States, 2004-2022
Sources: USPS. UPS and FedEx, Annual Reports. Packages shipped by FedEx Ground and FedEx Express. UPS involves US domestic parcel operations. First-class mail is used for postcards, letters, large envelopes, and small packages weighing less than 13 ounces. Total mail volume includes standard mail (or bulk), usually consisting of flyers,
Organizational Form of the Information Society
The difference between organizational forms of the Industrial and Information Age is acute. They shifted from vertical (bureaucracy) to horizontal (networked) organizational structures. In terms of urban geography, the second organizational (bureaucratic) form requires physical office space where vertical control can be maintained. The third form (networked), requires less office
Future Transportation Systems page migrated and updated
I took part yesterday in an World Economic Forum roundtable about seamless mobility and information technologies. A lot of fascinating issues about future transportation prospects. Accordingly, I have updated and migrated the section about future transportation systems to the new transport geography web site. Future Transportation Systems The next focus
Continue readingDrivers of Change for Future Transportation
Source: adapted from ICF International (2008) Long Range Strategic Issues Facing the Transportation Industry, Final Future-focused Research Framework, National Cooperative Highway Research Program, Project 20-80, Task 2. Each driver of change for the transportation system plays a role individually and in conjunction. Therefore, it is virtually impossible to establish outcomes
Visualization of a Cargo Airship Prototype
Source: Varialift Airships. Analysis courtesy of Dr. Barry Prentice. Airship technology has been available for more than a century. In the 1930s, large rigid airships were able to cross the Atlantic Ocean at 80 mph, carry up to 70 tons, while maintaining regular passenger schedules. However, due to rapid advances
Maglev Train, Shanghai
Source: Wikipedia. In January 2003, the world’s first commercial Maglev train was inaugurated in Shanghai, China. Built from German technology at a cost of 1.2 billion dollars, it links the new Shanghai Pudong International airport to the center of Pudong, in the eastern part of Shanghai. The system has a
Forces Shaping the Diffusion of Information and Communication Technologies in Freight Transportation
Three forces among others shape the diffusion and application of ICT over freight transport systems: There is a particular belief that ICT can help break these forces, particularly asymmetry, but it is more likely that ICT will reinforce them. Thus, the outcome will not necessarily be harmonizing ICT systems since
Potential Benefits of On Demand Services Compared with Conventional Taxi Services
Potential Benefits of On Demand Services Compared with Conventional Taxi ServicesSource: Adapted from: Cramer, J. and A.B. Krueger (2016) “Disruptive Change in the Taxi Business: The Case of Uber”, NBER Working Paper No. 22083. On-demand taxi services, referred to as ride-sharing services (e.g. Uber, Lyft, and the Chinese Didi equivalent),