Public Transport in America - Essay Example

Public Transport It is a lasting debate that which mode of transportation is highly beneficial for the people, environment, society and economy. However, mass transit system is most profoundly considered to be as the best system to adopt than any other mode of transportation. The sole reason behind the popularity is that it is highly energy efficient. The research conducted in 2002 by the American enterprise institute and Brookings institution revealed that the fuel consumed by the public transportation used in America was half than that of private vehicles, trucks and SUV’s (Shapiro 11). Moreover, the research also concluded that carbon monoxide produced by private automobiles was 95% higher; production of dangerous organic compounds is 92% greater, two times more emission of carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide as compared to public transportation for each person travelling per mile. There was another study conducted in 2004 by Lancaster University, which suggested that switching to train system from the private car or airlines travelling has no significant advantages in terms of environment protection. However, there was an environmental group “friends of the earth”, who had opposite views regarding the shift and they were not satisfied with the findings of the study conducted by the university (Marston, 2004). They made another study, which revealed that the train system lacked in the modern advancement that had been made for the vehicles and airline industries in terms of better fuel consumption and efficient use of the fuel. A train that travels from London to Edinburgh uses 11.5 liters excess fuel per person as compared to the latest cars working on diesel; and similarly, the trains of Pendolino consumed more fuel per person than the airbus A380 (ABD, 2012). There are some other detailed studies that have concluded that there is a negative and opposite relation between the urban population density and energy consumption per capita. With the help of public transit system, the high urban population densities can be benefited easily and as an inverse relation the use of energy to run the system will be low and the travelling distance will be reduced. Green movements members always are in favor of public transportation because of high benefits in term of less contamination and low pollution than any other travelling system. In 2004, there was a study carried out in the city of Milan, Italy that unveiled the impact of mass transportation on the environment on a day of public transportation strike. The air during 8 days in which strike prevailed was examined in the laboratory in terms of harmful environmental elements i.e. pollution count, hazardous particles and dangerous gases such as methane, non methane hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and others. The results that were derived from the experiment were quite clear and showed the less concentration of harmful gases and elements during the days when there was little or no private vehicle activity in first few days; and when the individual transportation activity started working in Milan while the strike was in progress, the concentration of harmful gases and pollutants was very high (Meinardi, 2008). On the basis of the results derived from the experiment, the green movement developed the public transport policy. In U.S, the New Jersey state started the “getting to work: reconnection jobs with transit” policy (Evans, 2008). Due to this policy, the opportunity of new jobs was relocated into the areas where there was high accessibility of the public transport service. By implementing the policy, the use of public transport increased to a greater extent and the traffic jam problem was diminished. Thus, leading to the development in the job located area and the most vital thing was that the carbon dioxide emission was reduced. The environment was less effective with the fuel consumption and emission of harmful gases, contributing to the eco friendly system. Furthermore, the use of public transportation system will help in decreasing the carbon footprint of every individual. Not just that, public transportation also gives the platform to check the alternative sources of fuel that are eco-friendly and beneficial for the environment, such fuel includes hydrogen. BY using the energy to run the system through such beneficial alternatives, will enhance the benefits of the public transportation more in addition to better performance. It is vital for the government and other organization to inform the general public about the positive aspects of public transport to the humans, environment and community rather than just the economy of the country. Some of the benefits include: The urban localities are considered to be as a lucrative space, and by placing the public transport system into that area; the development of the cities will taken place with more planning and details. The use of land for the public transport will be highly efficient and effective than to give it to the automobile transport. By creating more spots of the public transport, the city will be compactly designed to cater to many stations and stops that can be easily reachable. Moreover, it will lead to the growth of other passenger serving businesses in the nearby areas to cater the immediate needs of the locals. The public transport has many social benefits as well. First, it creates a sense of equality among the people and everyone is able to travel by using the same transport system, no matter if he or she has a private vehicle or not. Not just that, there is no need of a driving license or any other lawful aspect that is needed when a person has to drive privately and for those having a ban on driving. The other social benefit is in terms of meeting with the people belonging to different families, groups or culture and the user of the public transport get a chance to interact with them as not possible in the private transport. Economic benefit lies in the public transportation as the traveling cost is very much lower than that of private transport. The transport at economy of scale takes place by using this mass system. In addition to this, time of the travelers can also be saved as there is minimum traffic on the roads and travelers can reach to the destination in minimum possible time without wasting it on the roads. The commercial developments for the mass transit system will also boost the economy. Works Cited Evans, Tim. Getting to Work: Reconnecting Jobs with Transit. Trenton, N.J: New Jersey Future, 2008. Print. Londons Low Emission Zone." ABD London (Association of British Drivers). N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Nov. 2012. . Marston, Paul. "Cars are more fuel-efficient than trains, claims study - Telegraph." Telegraph.co.uk - Telegraph online, Daily Telegraph, Sunday Telegraph - Telegraph. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Nov. 2012. . Meinardi, S, B Barletta, Rowland F. Sherwood, D.R Blake, P Nissenson, and D Dabdub. "Influence of the Public Transportation System on the Air Quality of a Major Urban Center. a Case Study: Milan, Italy." Atmospheric Environment. 42.34 (2008): 7915-7923. Print. Shapiro, Robert J, Kevin A. Hassett, and Frank S. Arnold. Conserving Energy and Preserving the Environment: the Role of Public Transportation. , 2002. Print. Read More