The line graph compares the volume of goods transported by four different types of transport: road, water, rail, and pipeline in the UK from 1974 to 2002, measured in million tonnes. Overall, goods transported via road consistently registered by far the highest quantity, while the opposite was true for pipeline. In addition, all four modes of transport increased to varying degrees, albeit with some fluctuations.
Focusing on larger numbers first, road led the list throughout the given period. Starting at around 70 million tonnes in 1974, its transported volume increased noticeably to about 80 million tonnes by 1994. From this year onwards, its volume rate rose sharply, reaching a peak of just under 100 million tonnes. As for water, initially, it was the third-largest transport method with almost 40 million tonnes, just under rail. This volume then increased considerably to 60 million tonnes by 1986, surpassing rail, after which it plateaued by 1993. Despite a moderate dip to 52 million tonnes by 1998, its figure rebounded and increased to marginally above 60 million tonnes.
Regarding smaller volumes, the goods transported through rail experienced a substantial decrease to approximately 30 million tonnes during the first two decades. Nevertheless, this level recovered to its initial rate by the last given year. In stark contrast, despite an interrupted upward trend, the pipeline remained the least popular transport choice, rising from around 2 million tonnes to just above 20 million tonnes.