IELTS Vocabulary List: Transport
Aviation
The operation and production of aircraft.
Example: The aviation industry has seen significant advancements in technology.
Infrastructure
The fundamental facilities and systems serving a country, city, or area.
Example: Improved infrastructure is essential for the development of rural areas.
Commute
Travel some distance between one's home and place of work on a regular basis.
Example: She commutes to the city every day for her job.
Carpooling
The sharing of car journeys so that more than one person travels in a car.
Example: Carpooling can significantly reduce the number of vehicles on the road.
Congestion
Overcrowding; a situation in which there is too much traffic and movement is difficult.
Example: Traffic congestion is a major problem in urban areas.
Intermodal
Involving two or more different modes of transportation.
Example: The intermodal transport system includes buses, trains, and ferries.
Sustainable
Capable of being maintained over the long term without harming the environment.
Example: Cycling is a sustainable mode of transport.
Logistics
The detailed coordination of complex operations involving many people, facilities, or supplies.
Example: Efficient logistics are crucial for successful supply chain management.
Commuter
A person who travels some distance to work on a regular basis.
Example: The new rail service is expected to benefit thousands of commuters.
Infrastructure
The basic physical and organizational structures needed for the operation of a society.
Example: Government investment in infrastructure is vital for economic growth.
Electric Vehicle (EV)
A vehicle that operates on electric power instead of gasoline.
Example: The adoption of electric vehicles is increasing due to environmental concerns.
Freight
Goods transported in bulk by truck, train, ship, or aircraft.
Example: The freight train delivered the cargo to the warehouse.
Mileage
The number of miles traveled or covered.
Example: The car's mileage is impressive for its age.
Public Transit
A system of buses, trains, etc., that is available for people to use.
Example: Public transit options in the city include buses, subways, and trams.
Toll
A charge payable to use a bridge or road.
Example: Drivers must pay a toll to cross the bridge.
Gridlock
A traffic jam affecting a whole network of intersecting streets.
Example: The city center is often gridlocked during rush hour.
Pedestrian
A person walking rather than traveling in a vehicle.
Example: Pedestrian safety is a major concern in urban planning.
Emission
The production and discharge of something, especially gas or radiation.
Example: Reducing vehicle emissions is critical for combating air pollution.
Ride-sharing
The practice of sharing a ride with another person.
Example: Ride-sharing apps have changed the way people commute.
Bicycle Lane
A part of the road designated for cyclists.
Example: The city has added several new bicycle lanes to encourage cycling.
Traffic Light
A visual signal to control the flow of traffic at intersections.
Example: The traffic lights were malfunctioning, causing delays.
Roundabout
A circular intersection where drivers travel counterclockwise around a center island.
Example: The new roundabout has improved traffic flow.
Highway
A main road, especially one connecting major towns or cities.
Example: The highway is closed for maintenance work this weekend.
Carpool Lane
A lane reserved for vehicles with multiple passengers.
Example: Using the carpool lane can save time during rush hour.
Transit Hub
A central point where different transportation routes converge.
Example: The transit hub connects bus, train, and metro services.
Runway
A strip of hard ground along which aircraft take off and land.
Example: The airport extended its runway to accommodate larger planes.
Fuel Efficiency
A measure of how far a vehicle can travel per unit of fuel.
Example: Hybrid cars are known for their fuel efficiency.
Driverless Car
A vehicle that can drive itself without human intervention.
Example: Companies are investing heavily in the development of driverless cars.
Overpass
A bridge that allows one road to cross over another.
Example: The new overpass will help alleviate traffic congestion.
Underpass
A road or path that goes under another road or a railway.
Example: The pedestrian underpass provides a safe way to cross the busy street.
Congestion Charge
A fee charged on vehicles operating in certain areas during peak times.
Example: London introduced a congestion charge to reduce traffic in the city center.
Jet Lag
The feeling of tiredness and confusion after a long flight across different time zones.
Example: It took her several days to recover from jet lag after the transatlantic flight.
Navigational System
A system that helps in planning and following a route.
Example: Modern cars are often equipped with advanced navigational systems.
Subway
An underground railway system in a city.
Example: The New York City subway is one of the largest in the world.
Traffic Violation
An act that goes against the rules of the road.
Example: Speeding is a common traffic violation.
Car Rental
The practice of renting a car for a short period.
Example: They decided to get a car rental for their vacation in Spain.
Ferry
A boat or ship for conveying passengers and goods, especially over a relatively short distance.
Example: The ferry service across the river operates every hour.
Taxi Stand
A place where taxis park while waiting for passengers.
Example: We found a taxi stand near the train station.
Helipad
A landing area for helicopters.
Example: The hospital has a helipad for emergency airlifts.
Terminal
A building where passengers transfer from one mode of transportation to another.
Example: The airport terminal was crowded with travelers.
Cargo
Goods carried on a ship, aircraft, or motor vehicle.
Example: The cargo ship arrived at the port early this morning.
Fuel Surcharge
An additional charge for fuel, often added to ticket prices.
Example: Airlines have implemented a fuel surcharge due to rising oil prices.
HOV Lane
High Occupancy Vehicle lane, designated for vehicles with multiple passengers.
Example: HOV lanes help reduce traffic congestion during peak hours.
Traffic Calming
Measures designed to reduce vehicle speeds and improve safety.
Example: Speed bumps are a common traffic calming measure.
Speed Limit
The maximum legal speed at which a vehicle may travel.
Example: The speed limit on this road is 60 km/h.
Interstate
A highway that goes between states.
Example: They took the interstate to get to their destination faster.
Parking Garage
A building where cars can be parked.
Example: Finding a spot in the parking garage can be difficult during peak hours.
Traffic Flow
The movement of vehicles along a route.
Example: Traffic flow has improved since the new road was built.
Fuel Consumption
The amount of fuel used by a vehicle.
Example: The car's fuel consumption is quite high for its size.
Bus Lane
A lane reserved for buses.
Example: Using the bus lane can help reduce travel time for commuters.
Cyclist
A person who rides a bicycle.
Example: Many cyclists use the bike path along the river.
Level Crossing
An intersection where a railway line crosses a road or path at the same level.
Example: The train slowed down as it approached the level crossing.
Scooter
A light two-wheeled open motor vehicle.
Example: She bought a scooter to navigate through city traffic.
Transit Authority
An organization responsible for public transportation.
Example: The transit authority announced new bus routes today.
Traffic Enforcement
The practice of monitoring and regulating road traffic for safety.
Example: Traffic enforcement officers issued several fines for speeding.
Park and Ride
A system where commuters park their cars in designated lots and take public transport.
Example: The park and ride scheme has reduced city center congestion.
Air Traffic Control
The ground-based personnel and equipment monitoring aircraft in flight.
Example: Air traffic control guided the plane safely to the runway.
Road Rage
Aggressive or angry behavior exhibited by drivers.
Example: Road rage incidents have been on the rise during peak hours.
Motorway
A large, fast road connecting cities and towns.
Example: They traveled on the motorway to reach their destination quickly.
Transport Network
The interconnected system of routes and services for transportation.
Example: The city is investing in expanding its transport network.
Tailback
A line of vehicles that have stopped or are moving slowly.
Example: A minor accident caused a long tailback on the highway.
Ride-Hailing
Ordering a private vehicle via a mobile app.
Example: Ride-hailing services have become very popular in urban areas.
Pedestrian Crossing
A marked part of a road where pedestrians have right of way.
Example: Always use the pedestrian crossing to ensure safety.
Cargo Hold
The part of a ship, aircraft, or vehicle used to carry goods.
Example: The cargo hold of the plane was filled with merchandise.
Black Box
A flight data recorder used in aircraft.
Example: The black box was recovered to investigate the cause of the crash.
Turnpike
A high-speed highway, especially one with a toll.
Example: They took the turnpike to avoid the city traffic.
Traffic Density
The number of vehicles on a road at a given time.
Example: High traffic density is common during rush hours.
Urban Sprawl
The uncontrolled expansion of urban areas.
Example: Urban sprawl has led to increased traffic and pollution.
Zebra Crossing
A type of pedestrian crossing marked with white stripes.
Example: Drivers must yield to pedestrians at zebra crossings.
Vehicle Registration
The official recording of a vehicle with the authorities.
Example: Vehicle registration is required to legally operate a car.
Bottleneck
A section of a road where traffic congestion occurs.
Example: The construction work has created a bottleneck on the main road.
Junction
A point where two or more roads meet.
Example: The new junction has improved traffic flow significantly.
Automated Transport
Transport systems that operate with minimal human intervention.
Example: Automated transport systems are being tested in many cities.
Motorcycle
A two-wheeled motor vehicle.
Example: He enjoys riding his motorcycle on weekends.
Ride-Sharing App
An application that matches passengers with drivers for shared rides.
Example: Ride-sharing apps have revolutionized urban transportation.
Passenger
A person who travels in a vehicle but is not the driver.
Example: The bus was full of passengers on their way to work.
Traffic Control
The management of vehicle and pedestrian traffic.
Example: Traffic control measures are essential for road safety.
Automobile
A road vehicle, typically with four wheels, powered by an internal combustion engine.
Example: The automobile industry is focusing on electric cars.
Vehicle Emissions
The gases released from vehicles as by-products of fuel combustion.
Example: Reducing vehicle emissions is crucial for improving air quality.
Transit Card
A card used for paying fares on public transportation.
Example: She uses a transit card for her daily commute on the subway.
Pothole
A hole in a road surface caused by wear and weathering.
Example: The city needs to repair the potholes on this street.
Overload
When a vehicle carries more weight than it is designed to handle.
Example: Overloading trucks can lead to dangerous driving conditions.
Car-sharing
A model where people share access to a car for short-term use.
Example: Car-sharing programs are gaining popularity in urban areas.
Speed Bump
A raised portion of the road designed to slow down traffic.
Example: Speed bumps have been installed to reduce speeding in the neighborhood.
Expressway
A high-speed road designed for fast traffic, with limited access points.
Example: The expressway is the quickest route to the airport.
Parking Violation
Breaking the rules of parking.
Example: He received a ticket for a parking violation.
Traffic Circle
A circular intersection where traffic moves around a central island.
Example: Traffic circles can help improve the flow of vehicles at intersections.
Waybill
A document issued by a carrier giving details and instructions relating to the shipment of a consignment of goods.
Example: The waybill must be signed by the recipient upon delivery.
Airline Alliance
A partnership between airlines to provide mutual benefits.
Example: The airline alliance offers passengers more flight options and benefits.
Fuel Economy
The efficiency of a vehicle in terms of fuel consumption.
Example: Hybrid cars are praised for their superior fuel economy.
Navigation System
Technology that determines a vehicle’s location and guides it to a destination.
Example: The navigation system in his car helps him find the best routes.
Traffic Sign
A sign providing information or instructions to road users.
Example: Ignoring traffic signs can result in serious accidents.
Motorist
A person who drives a car.
Example: Motorists are advised to check their vehicles before long trips.
Fleet
A group of vehicles operating together or under the same ownership.
Example: The company expanded its fleet of delivery trucks.
Public Transportation
Systems of buses, trains, subways, etc., provided for the public.
Example: Public transportation reduces the need for private cars.
Rideshare
A service that arranges one-time shared rides on very short notice.
Example: Rideshare options are convenient for short trips around the city.
Autonomous Vehicle
A self-driving vehicle.
Example: Autonomous vehicles are expected to transform the future of transport.
Traffic Management
The process of managing the movement of vehicles.
Example: Effective traffic management can reduce congestion and improve safety.
Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV)
A large vehicle designed to transport goods.
Example: The new regulations apply to all heavy goods vehicles.
Vehicle Maintenance -
The process of keeping a vehicle in good working condition.
Example: Regular vehicle maintenance is essential for safety and performance.