Title: KEYNOTE ADDRESS: THE NEED TO DEVELOP INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS TO TRANSPORTATION PROBLEMS
Abstract: THE BACKGROUND TO THE PROBLEM OF URBAN MOBILITY IS REVIEWED, AND THE NEED FOR INNOVATION IN THAT FIELD IS DISCUSSED. THE POPULARITY OF THE AUTOMOBILE AMONG 72 PERCENT OF THE POPULATION, THE ENERGY CRISIS, THE ENVIRONMENTAL CRISIS, AND THE LACK OF LAND FOR FREEWAYS ARE MATTERS OF CONCERN. URBAN TRANSPORTATION PLANNING CAN NO LONGER BE CONDUCTED UNILATERALLY, AND FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS MUST BUILD ON THE ALREADY EXISTING TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE. THERE IS A NEED TO CHANGE THE TRANSPORTATION HABITS OF PEOPLE, AND INDUCEMENTS MUST BE OFFERED TO AVOID RESISTANCE TO PROGRAMS WHICH AIM TO TRANSFER COMMUTERS FROM CAR TO PUBLIC TRANSIT SYSTEMS. A VARIETY OF LOW OR NON-CAPITAL INTENSIVE ALTERNATIVES DESIGNED TO INCREASE EFFICIENCY ARE BEING EXPLORED AND INCLUDES AFFORDING PRIORITY AND OTHER INCENTIVES TO HIGH-OCCUPANCY VEHICLES. OTHER POSSIBILITIES FOR SHORT-TERM AND LOW-COST URBAN BENEFITS INCLUDE STAGGERED WORK HOURS, THE 4-DAY WORK WEEK, AND THE REGULATION OF DOWNTOWN AUTOMOBILES. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AND THE DEMONSTRATION OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES SUCH AS THE BAY AREA RAPID TRANSIT SYSTEM, ILLUSTRATE TECHNICAL INNOVATIONS. THE PERSONAL RAPID TRANSIT SYSTEM IN MORGANTOWN, WEST VIRGINIA, COMES CLOSEST TO OFFERING THE PERSONAL CONVENIENCE OFFERED BY THE CAR. THE TRACKED AIR CUSHION VEHICLE IS ANOTHER TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION. FEDERAL FUNDING FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT (WHICH INCLUDES UNIVERSITY PROGRAMS) HAS INCREASED IN RECENT YEARS. THE SUCCESS OF THE SHIRLEY HIGHWAY (NORTHERN VIRGINIA) PROJECT IS OFFERED AS EVIDENCE OF THE ATTRACTING CAPABILITIES OF BUS TRANSIT. THE QUALITY OF SERVICE HAS BEEN FOUND TO BE A GREATER FACTOR THAN PRICE IN THE POPULARITY OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT. STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS ARE URGED TO TAKE A LARGER AND MORE COOPERATIVE ROLE IN RENEWING PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION.
Publication Year: 1973
Publication Date: 1973-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
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