P. C. Mahalanobis was an Indian statistician and physicist who developed the first Indian Mathematical Tables for Transportation in the 1940s.

The primary purpose of the Indian Mathematical Tables for Transportation was to help solve transportation problems, such as finding the most efficient routes for transporting goods or people.

Linear programming was the primary mathematical technique used to construct the Indian Mathematical Tables for Transportation.

The Indian Mathematical Tables for Transportation were used by transportation companies, government agencies, and businesses to plan routes, develop transportation infrastructure, and optimize supply chains.

The Indian Mathematical Tables for Transportation had several limitations, including their applicability to small problems, their lack of consideration for real-world factors, and their difficulty of use.

The development of computers had a significant impact on the use of the Indian Mathematical Tables for Transportation. It made them easier to use, allowed them to be applied to larger problems, and eventually made them obsolete as more sophisticated transportation planning tools were developed.

Modern transportation planning tools such as geographic information systems (GIS), transportation network models, and traffic simulation models have replaced the Indian Mathematical Tables for Transportation. These tools are more sophisticated and can handle larger and more complex transportation problems.

The Indian Mathematical Tables for Transportation had a lasting legacy. They laid the foundation for modern transportation planning tools, helped to solve important transportation problems in India, and inspired a new generation of Indian mathematicians.

Current research in transportation planning covers a wide range of topics, including developing more efficient transportation algorithms, integrating transportation planning with land use planning, and using artificial intelligence to improve transportation systems.

Individuals can contribute to improving transportation in their communities by using public transportation or carpooling, walking or biking instead of driving, and advocating for better transportation policies.