"An advanced city is not one where even the poor use cars, but rather one where even the rich use public transport."
Enrique Penalosa
Impact on Society
Since the beginning of recorded history, civilizations with efficient transportation systems were the ones who controlled vast territories and had a huge advantage over the others, and in the modern world this is not different. The majority of the most important cities worldwide have enviable transportation systems, and both public and private aspects of it are in very good condition.
Its impact goes through many aspects of society. Economy, environment, resources distribution, infrastructure, and many more areas are influenced by transportation. Just imagine that toll roads don't work for a week, or that important highways don't receive maintenance, it would be chaotic. Nobody would be able to go to their jobs, or mobilize around the city by other method than walking, which considerably limits the distance. Kids at schools couldn't count on school buses to return to their homes, and parents could not use the roads to get them. As we can see, even when it has a subtle role in our lives, transportation is key in the functioning of society.
Its impact goes through many aspects of society. Economy, environment, resources distribution, infrastructure, and many more areas are influenced by transportation. Just imagine that toll roads don't work for a week, or that important highways don't receive maintenance, it would be chaotic. Nobody would be able to go to their jobs, or mobilize around the city by other method than walking, which considerably limits the distance. Kids at schools couldn't count on school buses to return to their homes, and parents could not use the roads to get them. As we can see, even when it has a subtle role in our lives, transportation is key in the functioning of society.
Recommended video
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This video shows the importance that New York City gives to their transportation network, and how aware they are about its impact on the city.
As we already know, this is one of the most important cities not only in the US, but in the world, so it is no coincidence that they focus so much attention on transportation. |