Question

Strategic Transportation Management--Pipeline 1.Explain the dual nature of pipeline transportation in the U.S. Compare the two common forms of pipeline oil and water by using the elements of a transportation system.

Answer 1

Transportation management is the relationship between supply chains and the logistics. To strategically manage the transport system the management needs to study inventory management, logistics, distributions hubs, Information technology, purchasing process etc and find a perfect transportation strategy for the organization. The integration and maximizing the strategic transportation will make the organization cohesive and efficient.

The pipeline is a mode of transportation of goods and material mostly liquids, semi-liquids, and gases.

1.      Oil pipeline

2.      Water pipeline

Features	Oil Pipeline	Water pipeline
Purpose	Transportation of crude oil from oil fields or refineries or intermediate products to the chemical plants.	Transportation of water and sewage.
Type of pipeline	The pipeline transports oil and needs pumping stations to push the flow. The number of station depends on the length of the pipeline, operation pressures etc.   The pipe terminus has huge storage terminal or a tank farm with floating roofs to restrict evaporation.	Use concrete for no pressure or low-pressure operations connected by sleeves and elastic seals and noncorrosive steel with cement mortar lining for conveying water at high pressure
Special features	The pipeline is buried under the ground in shallow trenches and has cathodic protection to prevent corrosion. The length is usually 15-25 yards consists of welded steel pipes and diameter 48 inches	Their resistance to aging is very high and have a plastic coating for corrosion protection
Differentiation according to use	The oil pipelines need to take the shortest routes to save costs and the time for transportation but they have to travel long and circuitous routes depending on the type of fluids. The pour point and flux properties define the speed of flow. Oil pipelines require pumping stations, control station, valving station, pressure measuring station, electrical power etc.	In sandy soils, plastic pipes can be used for carrying water for irrigation and domestic use too. Iron pipes are used for waste disposal systems.
Safety	Highly volatile and care is required to ensure accident-free transportation, prone to fires.	The water pipes one needs to be protected from corrosion to avoid contamination of drinking water

To sum it up though pipeline system seems an easy and convenient way to transport fluids at low costs but long-term maintenance and upkeep is critical for the safe transportation and quick movement of the fluids. The oil transportation is much more detailed and has many other safety hazards compared to oil transporting system.