The line graph depicts the comparison amongst alternative paths of supply of goods on the basis of amount of commodities supplied in UK over a course of 28 years from 1974 to 2002.
It can be clearly observed, that road has delivered the highest quantity of goods over the years. Whereas, pipeline has transported the least amount of commodities.
Leading the graph was road, as it delivered the maximum quantity of commodities. It continuously transported 70 million tonnes of good from 1974 to 1986, from 1990 to 1994 it nearly touched levels of 80 million tonnes, further surpassing those levels and reaching 90 million tonnes in 1998 and eventually nearing the 100 million tonnes mark in 2003. Ranking second was water mode of transport, as the second highest transporter of goods. Initially, at 40 million tonnes from 1974 to 1978, then rising to 60 million tonnes from 1978 to 1982, from 1982 onwards it followed a sideways trajectory till 1994 supplying nearly 60 million tonnes year on year. From 1994 to 1998 it witnessed a drop in quantity reaching 50 million tonnes, but it was reversed during 1998 to 2002 achieving levels higher that 60 million tonnes.
Turning to rail as a mode of transportation, it began at 40 million tonnes from 1974 to 1978, then experienced a fall from 1978 to 1986 to reach 30 million tonnes, it sustained those levels from 1986 to 1994 and then eventually breaking the pattern and achieving initial levels from 1994 to 2002. Finally, regarding pipeline which started with an upsurge going from less than 10 million tonnes to more than 20 million tonnes over 1974 to 1982, then it remained flat from 1982 to 1990, then in 1990 to 1994 it observed a slight downfall reaching 20 million tonnes, but then sustained these levels from 1994 onwards till the end.