Which advancement significantly improved transportation infrastructure during the Industrial Revolution?

The expansion of the rail network was a pivotal advancement that significantly improved transportation infrastructure during the Industrial Revolution. It transformed the way goods and people moved, facilitating faster, more efficient travel and commerce. Trains could cover long distances in a fraction of the time it took using traditional transport methods, such as horse-drawn carriages or canals.

This expansion enabled industries to access raw materials from distant locations and distribute finished products to wider markets, contributing to economic growth and urbanization. The railways also had a profound social impact, connecting communities and allowing for the mobility of labor, which was vital in an era marked by rapid industrialization.

Other options, while important in their own right, did not have the same direct impact on transportation. Electricity powered various innovations but did not address the transportation infrastructure directly during the early phases of the Industrial Revolution. Internet technology emerged much later and therefore did not play a role in this historical context. Telegraph systems improved communication but did not enhance actual transport infrastructure. Thus, the expansion of the rail network stands as the defining advancement in improving transportation during this transformative period.