The question posed in the title of this post seems to be the one to ask as more and more people in Europe and North America chose other forms of transportation than the car.While one is tempted (with reason) to link the lowered demand for car travel to increasing fuel (and oil) costs, the increase in the number of commuting cyclists and the demand for Light Rail is seen in many cities which, for too long, have catered to the needs of drivers and suburban sprawl. Policy makers continue to count on fuel taxes for road and highway building when this has to be a diminishing resource and need.
Key Quotes:
“In the 1960s each American drove about 5,000 miles a year in a car, van, or truck. By 2000 that number was 10,000 miles..In 2011…VMT per capita is receding as well, with each American now travelling less than 9,500 miles annually.”
“The UK has experienced similar trends, with a 13% drop in annual trips by cars and vans since 1996, and a 4% reduction in annual distance travelled over the same time period”
“Demand for shopping and business trips has slowed as these activities are increasingly conducted electronically…Baby boomers are giving up the suburbs for communities with more travel choices…toward mixed communities where schools, businesses, residences, and shops are in close proximity – even walking distance.”
“Forecasters continue to predict 1.6% annual increases in vehicular travel demand as far as the eye can see – and are designing road and highway expansions to match.”
“Forecasters continue to predict 1.6% annual increases in vehicular travel demand as far as the eye can see – and are designing road and highway expansions to match”
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