Final answer:
Transport technology comprises transportation systems and energy requirements, with systems including the infrastructure and vehicles for transit, and energy referring to the power sources such as fossil fuels and alternatives like electricity.
Step-by-step explanation:
Transport technology consists of two main components: transportation systems and energy requirements. Transportation systems relate to the means and infrastructure necessary for the movement of passengers or goods. This includes vehicles like cars, trucks, trains, ships, and airplanes, as well as roads, railways, waterways, and air routes. The energy requirements refer to the types and amounts of energy needed to power these transportation systems. Energy sources can include fossil fuels like gasoline and diesel, as well as alternative sources such as electricity, hydrogen, or biofuels.
Materials transported vary widely, from the movement of people to commodities such as food, electronics, raw materials, and other goods. The energy consumed as well as the methods and materials transported have a significant impact on the environment. For example, passenger cars, light-duty trucks, sport utility vehicles, and minivans collectively contribute to more than half of transportation-related emissions in the United States. Thus, technological innovations in transportation, like designing environmentally-friendly commuter vehicles, play a crucial role in modifying our impact on the physical environment.