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?