Time – Space Convergence

LEARNING OBJECTIVES1. TO DEFINE TIME-SPACE CONVERGENCE IDEA

2. TO DESCRIBE THE PATTERN SHOWN BY TIME-SPACE CONVERGENCE

Distance Decay

• The frictional effect of distance or distance decay suggests that areas that are closer together are more likely to interact.

• There has been a reduction in this frictional effect because of improvements in transport allowing greater distances to be covered in the same amount of time.

• Improvements in ICT have brought different parts of the world together.

• The reduction in the time taken to travel between two places due to improvements in transportation or communication technology.

Time – Space Convergence

• Time convergence rate: the velocity at which places are moving towards each other.

• i.e. Sydney & Brisbane are 1000km apart. In 1902 it took 3 days (4320 mins) by coastal steamer in 2002 it took 1hr 25 mins (85mins) by aero plane.

• so 4320 - 85 = 42mins per year 100

Time – Space Convergence Rate

• As the average speed of transportation has increased the world has become smaller

Types Of Transport

• Transport costs are made up of operating costs and the profit rate which include…

• Fuel and wages.

• Overhead costs such as equipment, terminal facilities, tracks, and repairs.

• Indirect costs such as insurance.

Competition

• Some modes of transport are more competitive over a certain distance…

Advantages Disadvantages

Water • Cheaper over long distances.

• No cost in building the route.• Good for bulky, low-cost

goods i.e. coal, ore, grains.• Costs spread over a large

cargo.

• Slow.• Very limited routes to deep-water ports.• Ships expensive to build/maintain.• Environmental problems, especially

pollution.• Ports take up great space.

Air • Faster over long distances.• Limited congestion.• Good for high-value

transport such as people, hi-tech industries and urgent cargo.

• Lots of land needed for airports.• Noise and visual pollution.• Very expensive to build and maintain.• No flexibility of routes.• Very expensive.• Can carry only small loads.

Factors Affecting Type

• Type of transport used depends on…

• The item to be transported.

• The cost of transporting it.

• The speed at which it needs to be transported.

Activities

• Using Geography For The IB Diploma P27 to 32, answer the following…

1.Define “Time-Space” Convergence”.

2.Using Figure 4 (P31), explain the role of “Time-Space Convergence in the process of spatial reorganisation.

3.Using Figure 6 (P32), How can the cost of a minute-long phone call from the USA relate to distance from the USA?