Georgia’s Four Transportation Systems

GPS Standard SS8G3The student will explain how the Interstate Highway System, Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, railroads, and Georgia’s deepwater ports help drive the state’s economy. Explain how the four transportation systems interact to provide domestic and international goods to the people of Georgia. Explain how the four transportation systems interact to provide producers and service providers in Georgia with national and international markets. Explain how the four transportation systems provide jobs for Georgians.

Essential Questions How do Georgia’s four transportation systems provide goods to the people of Georgia? How do the four transportation systems allow Georgia to conduct international and national business? How do the four transportation systems provide jobs for our state and bring people into Georgia?

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport One system is Georgia’s world famous airport. The airport is named after two important mayors of Atlanta: William Hartsfield and Maynard Jackson. It was established in the 1930s and quickly grew. The airport is considered to be one of the busiest in the world (at times it is the busiest – it depends on the week).

Delta, Air Tran… Hartsfield-Jackson is also the “hub” or the main center for Delta and Air Tran Airways. It is estimated that around 80,000 flights and 7 million passengers pass through Hartsfield-Jackson in ONE MONTH! The airport is huge – it covers over 130 acres of territory!

Of course… Having an airport this large brings in people from all over the nation/world. Hartsfield-Jackson brings in tourists, provides jobs for people, and also expands the economy of the Atlanta area. For example, a pilot who works for Delta might live in Gwinnett County and contribute to that county’s economy.

Railroads Railroads have been a part of Georgia’s history since the 1830s. Georgia was known for its railroads during the Civil War, where its tracks were used to supply goods for the Confederacy. Atlanta was once even known as “Terminus,” a term that came from the word “terminal.” Atlanta was known for its many railroad terminals.

Train passengers, 1901

Today, Railroads still provide transportation and goods to people, but are not as common as they were during the Civil War era. Two major rail lines (CSX and Norfolk Southern) provide for the transportation of goods. Amtrak still runs passenger lines through Georgia and to destinations like New York, Washington, D.C., and New Orleans. The Blue Ridge Scenic Railway runs a tourist train to the Blue Ridge Mountains from April to December.

Goods and Services Georgian companies use railroads to provide goods to them – trains can carry much more fright than a transfer truck. Railroads also provide jobs for working Georgians, as well as transportation for those who may not like to fly or drive.

Norfolk Southern Amtrak

The Interstate Highway System The Interstate Highway System is a series of roads that connects Georgia with other states. It was developed in the 1930s and created in 1956 by President Dwight Eisenhower. The idea behind the Interstate Highway System was to make travel more efficient.

Today, Georgia has over 1200 miles of Interstate. This allows Georgians to travel quickly to other states. This also brings people into our state for tourism.

Goods and Services Georgians can also import and export goods through the Interstate Highway System. Many small towns benefit from being near an Interstate – these towns can build fast food restaurants, gas stations, and other facilities that generate revenue (or money) for their towns.

Deepwater Ports Georgia has two deepwater seaports, Savannah and Brunswick, located in southern Georgia. These ports allow Georgians to import goods from other states/countries, as well as export goods. (For example, the Chinese love pig ears and feet – this is a major export of Georgia!) These ports (along with others) produce around 1.8 billion dollars in income, and create over 81,000 jobs.

Other facts Savannah’s port is the fifth largest of its kind The Savannah and Brunswick ports are also close to the Interstate and railroads, allowing for easy access (goods can be brought to these ports to be shipped overseas, for example).

Savannah

Essential Questions How do Georgia’s four transportation systems provide goods to the people of Georgia? How do the four transportation systems allow Georgia to conduct international and national business? How do the four transportation systems provide jobs for our state and bring people into Georgia?

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