How did the transportation revolution during the Industrial Revolution primarily affect the environment?

The transportation revolution during the Industrial Revolution had a significant impact on the environment. With the introduction of steam engines and railways, goods could be moved much faster and in larger quantities than before. This increase in transportation led to more factories being built, which often resulted in pollution from smoke and waste. For example, rivers near industrial cities became dirty from the waste dumped into them, harming fish and other wildlife. Overall, while transportation improvements helped economies grow, they also caused serious environmental problems that we still deal with today.