Citation

Hansen F. Am. City Cty. 2000; 115(1): 27-28.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2000, Penton Media)

DOI

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PMID

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Abstract

This article speculates on transit options in the next century. In the 21st century, new vehicles and technologies that we can hardly envision now will be available to transit services. The effectiveness of these innovations will rest in making wise decisions about how to best apply them. Transit agencies must broaden their product range by encouraging more transportation options: buses, light rail, streetcars, shuttle vans, car sharing, carpooling, and high-occupancy vehicle lanes. They also can enhance safety and comfort with clean, well-lit stations. And, they can ensure that transit planning creates easy links among various modes of transportation. On existing technology is the satellite global positioning system (GPS). With GPS onboard buses or other transit vehicles, dispatchers can see where individual vehicles are along their routes. Electronic fare cards could simplify boarding for both riders and operators. New types of vehicles, such as hybrid buses and passenger vans, which offer quieter service and greater efficiency, will increase transit options in the future. In the 20th century, tax dollars created vast expanses of pavement. Efforts in the next century must focus on creating transit links that knit communities together rather than encouraging further sprawl.