Transport of the Future
From "Green Futures" magazine, July 2009 www.greenfutures.org.uk
This article by Anna Simpson describes how future transport needs to fit in with people's lifestyles, to make it a pleasure, and fashionable, to travel in vehicles other than cars.
For example:
~ Solar powered digital bus stops allow passengers to check their emails, browse community message boards or track the location of all the buses in the area while they wait for a bus.
~ Buses will look different in 20 years time - longer, articulated. There will be smaller buses going around estates, you will be able to dial a ride when you need one on your BlackBerry.
~ Your dial a ride may even be a driverless pod!
What is really going to encourage people to use alternative modes of travel is not the bus - it is fashion.
There is a lot of "habit" in car driving - if their car is parked outside their house people will use it. Currently buses are not a very fashionable way of travelling - but it is envisaged this will change over the next 20 years.
If towns could be designed differently instead of making transport adapt to ridgid urban layouts, to mix the right blend of residential, work, retail, civic and green spaces, with nowhere far to go, and no destination further than a stroll along a pedestrianised avenue to a rapid transport pick-up-point (which cost little to use), people's habits would change. Eco Towns (4 locations announced today) are a great opportunity to move in this direction.
This article notes the most attractive town centres in Britain, with fine cathedrals for example, are those where transport behaviour is already on the move. Many have the most successful Park and Ride systems, so big numbers of people are shifting from cars to buses. The reason - they have a great interest in preserving the future.
For the full article see www.greenfutures.co.uk
July 16, 2009
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