DAY 25 – BASIC REQUIREMENT: TRANSPORTATION

I am walking along a street and came to an intersection that has a pole with two directional signs on it. One sign has an arrow pointing in one direction that reads “take this road and the world will open up to you.” Below it is another sign pointing in the opposite direction that reads “dead end street and you are stuck where you are.”

When we look at what a modern world provides it becomes evident that a transportation system opens up a myriad of opportunities that otherwise would not be possible. With it we can access raw materials in far off locations and have them transported to various locales where they are used to manufacture needed products which in turn can be shipped to people around the world. We also have the capability to transport foods that are grown only in certain regions and send them to people everywhere. A modern transportation system also enables individuals to work at places a distance from where they live, visit people they know and care about, take trips to places they want to see, attend an event, enjoy an activity or just bask in nature’s wonder.

Having a transportation system network that spans the local, national and intercontinental regions is at the heart of making the earth accessible to everyone. For some this is not the case. The locale in which they live does not have paved roads that cars and trucks can travel on. There are no railroads or airports that can bring in useful products. If someone gets sick they cannot immediately access medical help. Foods that are grown elsewhere cannot be brought in thereby limiting the inhabitants of that community to what they can grow for themselves. Without a fully functioning transportation system those living in such areas have fewer possibilities in life.

I now realize that life has been greatly transformed because of access to advanced forms of transportation. Being able to go places and receive diverse products is a key component of a better life.