Question One

Surface cargo systems have been widely used as a mode of transit long before the cargo system come into play. Thus, the surface cargo system that this paper will cover, scrutinize, and evaluate while comparing the air cargo system is that of the railroad system, which implies transportation by rail. This mode of transportation is one of the oldest modes of transport, having a history dating back to the 16^th century when Europeans were making some of the extensive use of rai, tracks to move their charcoal and coal, but a fully documented railroad system started in 1830. It is one of the surface cargo systems that also include a water transport system. Its wide application in the environment has been tied to its ability to decrease the overall cost associated with logistical while at the same time enhancing adaptability on another specific system with an overall goal of providing adequate support level in the achievement of operational capabilities within the broader dynamics.

As such, it does not only make it possible for organizations to achieve maximum business support but also on the adaptation to various changes. In the provision of adaptability, it offers extensive support in terms of value provided to most, thus saving money and other recurrent expenditures. A railroad transport system denotes transferring goods and passengers using a wheeled vehicle on rails located on tracks. Railroads were the first largest corporations in America and remained heavily regulated until the 1970s and 1980s and are applied as primary freight (Donaldson & Hornbeck, 2016). Railroad systems are used to transport heavy loads over a long distance at a lower cost, thus leveraging the cost of production that had spiked had the organization used other transport systems. Moreover, the organization can counter some terrain that otherwise would not have been possible had the air and seaways applied through this system.

Question Two

The railroad system is highly dependent on the level of rain roads, which then affects its suitability; hence, it does not operate at an international level due to its limited connectivity. On the other hand, the air cargo system operates at the international level as it is only dependent on space, thus having many regions reach compared to the railroad transport system. Furthermore, from a cost perspective, the cost incurred in the operating air cargo system is high compared to a railroad system that leverages economies of scale. Lastly, as one of the structural components, the air cargo system has a low load carrying capacity for railroad systems.  

Question Three

In terms of similar and different components, these systems share an expected material availability for logistics transportation. Similarly, given the advancement of globalization and technology-driven competition, and both systems apply changes in market dynamics, E-commerce trade as a means of achieving suppliers targets and customers from across the regions of operations. Moreover, not all of these systems are effective and efficient as they can carry out larger loads over distances hence high-level support. Similarly, these two systems share the components of infrastructure and locomotives. However, one of the significant differences here is that there are three components in the air cargo system (Airports, ATC, and Airlines), while there are only two components in the Railroad system.

Question Four

Compatibility between intermodal operations in the railroad system is high but relatively tough for air cargo transportation systems, given the carrying nature of container designs used (Slack, 2016). Therefore, the implementation of intermodal operations greatly impacts the adaptability of the railroad transportation system while offering the necessary support to structural components within an organization.