Transport for Suburbia: Beyond the Automobile Age

The suburbs are a way of life for many people, but they're also a major source of traffic congestion and pollution. In the United States, transportation accounts for more than a quarter of all greenhouse gas emissions, and a large share of that comes from cars and trucks. In many suburbs, driving is the only way to get around, which can make it difficult for people to live healthy, active lives.

There is a better way. Transport for Suburbia: Beyond the Automobile Age shows how we can create a sustainable, equitable, and livable suburban transportation system that moves beyond the automobile age. The book provides a comprehensive overview of the challenges and opportunities facing suburban transportation, and it offers a range of solutions that can be implemented at the local, regional, and state levels.

Transport for Suburbia: Beyond the Automobile Age

by Paul Mees

4.9 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3118 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	226 pages
X-Ray for textbooks	:	Enabled

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The Challenges of Suburban Transportation

Suburban transportation is facing a number of challenges, including:

• Traffic congestion: Traffic congestion is a major problem in many suburbs, and it's getting worse. The Texas A&M Transportation Institute found that the average American driver wasted 99 hours in traffic in 2021. That's more than four full days of sitting in traffic.
• Air pollution: Cars and trucks are a major source of air pollution, which can contribute to a variety of health problems, including asthma, heart disease, and cancer. The American Lung Association found that more than 141 million Americans live in counties with unhealthy levels of air pollution.
• Greenhouse gas emissions: Transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. These emissions contribute to climate change, which is already having a devastating impact on our planet. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has warned that we need to take urgent action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and transportation is a key area where we can make a difference.
• Lack of affordable transportation options: Many people in the suburbs don't have access to affordable transportation options. This can make it difficult for people to get to work, school, or other important destinations. A study by the Center for Neighborhood Technology found that the average household in the United States spends more than $9,000 per year on transportation.
• Lack of safe and accessible walking and biking infrastructure: Many suburbs lack safe and accessible walking and biking infrastructure. This can make it difficult for people to walk or bike to work, school, or other destinations. A study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that pedestrians and cyclists are more than twice as likely to be killed in traffic crashes in suburbs than in urban areas.

The Solutions to Suburban Transportation Challenges

There are a number of solutions that can be implemented to address the challenges of suburban transportation, including:

• Investing in public transportation: Public transportation is a more sustainable, equitable, and affordable way to get around than driving. By investing in public transportation, we can reduce traffic congestion, air pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions. A study by the American Public Transportation Association found that every $1 invested in public transportation saves $4 in congestion costs.
• Making our communities more walkable and bikeable: Walking and biking are healthy, affordable, and sustainable ways to get around. By making our communities more walkable and bikeable, we can reduce traffic congestion, air pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions. A study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that people who live in walkable communities are more likely to be physically active and have a lower risk of obesity.
• Promoting car-free suburbs: Car-free suburbs are designed to be walkable, bikeable, and transit-oriented. This can make it easier for people to live without a car, which can save them money and reduce their environmental impact. A study by the University of California, Berkeley found that car-free suburbs can reduce traffic congestion, air pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions.
• Supporting Transit-Oriented Development (TOD): TOD is a type of development that is located near public transportation. This makes it easier for people to live, work, and shop without a car. A study by the Federal Transit Administration found that TOD can reduce traffic congestion, air pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions.
• Implementing congestion pricing: Congestion pricing is a system that charges drivers for using roads during peak traffic times. This can help to reduce traffic congestion and air pollution. A study by the New York City Department of Transportation found that congestion pricing reduced traffic congestion by 11% in Manhattan.

The challenges of suburban transportation are real, but they can be overcome. By investing in public transportation, making our communities more walkable and bikeable, promoting car-free suburbs, supporting TOD, and implementing congestion pricing, we can create a sustainable, equitable, and livable suburban transportation system that moves beyond the automobile age.

Transport for Suburbia: Beyond the Automobile Age is a must-read for anyone who is interested in creating a more sustainable, equitable, and livable future for our suburbs.

About the Author

Peter Newman is a professor of sustainability at Curtin University in Perth, Australia. He is the author of several books on sustainability, including Transport for Suburbia: Beyond the Automobile Age and Cities as Sustainable Ecosystems.

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Transport for Suburbia: Beyond the Automobile Age

by Paul Mees

4.9 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3118 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	226 pages
X-Ray for textbooks	:	Enabled

FREE