Final answer:
The transportation model seeks to minimize total transportation costs by aiding in the decision-making process of locating production sites near inputs or markets with the highest transport costs and most efficient transportation options.
Step-by-step explanation:
The transportation model, when applied to location analysis, primarily minimizes total transportation costs. This model, influenced by theories like Weber's Least Cost Location Model and von Thünen's Model, evaluates factors such as distance to markets, transportation options, and access to raw materials. Factories and production locations use this model to strategically place themselves in locations where they can operate most economically, factoring in the cost of moving goods to and from suppliers and markets.
For example, Weber's model would suggest locating a factory closer to the input or output that has the highest transport costs to minimize expenses. Additionally, transport options like proximity to uncrowded freeways, rail, or water transport can also play a significant role in reducing costs. Von Thünen's Model also incorporates assumptions about agricultural production that emphasize the importance of transportation costs in determining the most profitable locations for land use.