Modes of transportation allow people and goods to move across air, land and sea. People often move by human power, cars, and planes while goods are shipped by truck, rail, or ship.

Transportation serves as the "circulatory system" of global civilization, with its primary uses categorized into economic, social, and political functions. Economically, it enables the Global Supply Chain, allowing raw materials to reach factories and finished goods to reach consumers through shipping, trucking, and rail. Without it, modern commerce would collapse. Socially, transportation facilitates human mobility, allowing people to access employment, education, and healthcare, while also enabling tourism and the maintenance of personal relationships across vast distances. Politically, it is essential for national defense and the administration of territory, allowing governments to provide services and respond to emergencies quickly. In 2026, the rise of "micro-mobility" (e-scooters) and "sustainable transit" (electric trains) highlights a new use: environmental urban planning, where transportation is used as a tool to reduce carbon footprints and create more livable, "15-minute" cities that prioritize people over private vehicles.