Technological Aspects Of Urban Transportation

Automotive transportations systems appear to be best suited for most urban passenger trips because of the inherent flexibility of the private automobile in serving the expanding land uses in suburban areas. All large metropolitan areas will need extensive systems of freeways and arterial streets. Transit will continue to carry the majority of peak-hour trips to and from central areas of large cities. Express-type transit service should supplement local bus service. In lower density metropolitan areas, this may be in the form of express buses operating on freeways. Bus-rapid transit operating on its own right-of-way may be used to provide high-capacity peak-hour movement to central areas. Dual-track rapid transit generally is preferred, rather than proposed monorail designs. In higher density metropolitan areas with existing rail-rapid transit, or commuter rail facilities, existing systems would be improved by modernizing equipment, control systems, and central area facilities, by extending lines and by providing off street parking at outlying stations. Ground effect machines and helicopters do not appear to be suitable for mass movements of persons in metropolitan areas.