During class today, Professor Tawfik showed us this image and I found it to be very powerful and thought-provoking. With such overwhelming levels of congestion in big cities it seems like there's no way to avoid it. But this image makes a strong point. If we were to incorporate more public/alternative forms of transit into our cities, the space needed for transportation networks could be largely reduced. Rather than a street loaded with thousands of impatient, carbon-emitting, honking cars wouldn't it be nice to see a single electrified light-rail train smoothly, silently, and swiftly snaking its way through the city?
I wrote my blog about this today. I agree with you and actually referenced your blog! I think it would be nice to see such a thing in a city. I personally think there could be better ways of dealing with congestion problems and that we shouldn't lose sight of that by thinking that congestion will happen no matter what we do.
ReplyDeleteI agree that more public and active transportation in cities needs to happen. The issue is that major cities in the northeast have to deal with weather restrictions. It is hard to even ask people to take the bus which involves several blocks or walking and waiting usually in the winter or during inclement weather. That's why people love their personal cars. Another issue I see is that many of the industrial and commercial traffic (traffic that can not be reduce much) is still on the main arteries that transportation planners would be asking people to ride their bikes next to. Soon there would be congestion on sidewalks and in bike paths if they were not expanded more. I like what Boston has done with the Big Dig. Now that a lot of the commuter highway traffic is underground and away, the above ground roads and walkways are more free with free flowing pedestrian traffic.
ReplyDeleteThis is why public and non-motorized transportation wins. As with the picture above, which is also the picture that Dr. Tawfik showed us, I'd someday like to see a train included in the picture as a single train could carry hundreds of passengers.
ReplyDeleteA.Han