Because of their versatility, flexibility, and low initial
cost, motorized road vehicles overwhelmingly dominate
the markets for passenger and freight transport
throughout the developing world. In all but the poorest
developing countries, economic growth has triggered a
boom in the number and use of motor vehicles. Although
much more can and should be done to encourage
a balanced mix of transport modes—including
nonmotorized transport in small-scale applications and
rail in high-volume corridors—motorized road vehicles
will retain their overwhelming dominance of the transport
sector for the foreseeable future.