An Automobile Free Society - Essay Example

Section/# An America without Cars In seeking to imagine a world without automobiles, or more specifically the United States without automobiles, there are a number of key factors that would fundamentally shift within such a dynamic. In attempting to analyze these changes and discuss how these adjustments might be accomplished, the following essay will focus on what adjustments Americans would need to make to transition to an automobile free society, whether or not these adjustments could be made, what this author would personally have to give up in order to live in an automobile free society and whether or not society would benefit from this particular approach. The underlying reason for performing such a discussion is based on the fact that an America without cars is something that must be considered; especially based upon the very real threats to the environment that the current situation exhibits. The first and most important adjustment that Americans would need make in order to transition to an automobile free society would be one regarding the way in which individuals get to work and/or to their place of education. These two have been chosen as destinations apart from all others s they are the ones that allow the economy to continue to function at its most efficient level. As a function of this specific change, it will be necessary for Americans to consider alternate forms of transportation. One of the most relevant of these would of course be train travel. The underlying reason for why train travel has been selected has to do with the fact that trains are currently the method through which the majority of the world travels from point A to point B. As such, trains represent an extraordinarily efficient means of transportation and allow for a level of schedule certainty with respect to when they will depart and when they will arrive at a particular destination. However, in the case of the United States, integrating with trains will require an extraordinarily high level of initial investment; due in part to the fact that no existing infrastructure for passenger trains is widely exhibited. Firstly, one cannot begin to consider the question of whether establishing a train system would benefit the greater good without coming to a broad understanding of the fact that trains are inherently more efficient means of transportation than cars. For instance, a train is capable of moving multiple tons of cargo or passengers for the equivalent of 1 gallon of fuel; conversely a car, even at the most efficient level, requires at least one gallon to move 1 person more than 25-40 miles. Given this efficiency based argument, it comes to the central question of why trains are not utilized as a means of both saving money and the environment. The first reason for this is of course the issue of cost. It has been estimated that building a train system across the United States that would mirror train systems in Japan, Europe, or other developed regions around the world would cost trillions of dollars (Rusz, 2005). Such a program could of course be started under the logic that like Eisenhower’s Interstate program, the economic benefits would ultimately be repaid to the government over time due to economic gains of more rapid and cheaper transportation; however, the fact remains that the initial price tag associated with such an endeavor is so staggering that few if any politicians are willing to take up such a cause during one of the most trying and difficult economic times within the nation’s history (Kay, 2007). Moreover, another factor that ties directly into the issue of cost is the level of debt that such a project would necessarily entail. As such, due to the hesitancy of the political leaders and many of the citizens to add on to an already monumental national deficit, no such project has been suggested. A secondary issue that is keeping the train from being further developed within the United States has to do with the unique culture that has seen the car become a type of iconic American symbol of freedom. Seeking to categorize this level of iconoclasm would be futile in such a brief work; however, suffice it to say that the car itself has become intrinsically tied to the American understanding and expression of individualism and freedom (Hochschild, 2005). In such a way, being a passenger on a train diminishes this feeling of individualism as everyone on the train arrives at the given destination at the same time and via the same means. Although this can of course be seen as a bit of an over simplification, it is doubtful that such a cultural understanding of freedom and transportation is likely to change within our lifetime. Additional changes that will be experienced in a United States and does not have cars will be concentric upon improvements in individual help. The reason for this has to do with the reduction in stress that individuals have when they are not driving. The litany of studies have been performed indicate the driver suspended in excess of 30 minutes per day interact experienced statistically measurable differences in their overall lifespan (Hills, 2011). In addition to this, cities that are normally congested and full of traffic also have higher than average rates of smog and air pollution. As such, reducing or outright stopping the use of cars would have a dramatic improvement with regards to overall health; both for drivers and non-drivers. From the information that has been presented thus far, it is clear and apparent that a sudden shift away from automobiles would represent dramatic hardship for almost every individual throughout the nation. However, in consideration of this hardship, it would also represent a noted benefit for nearly every individual; as well as for the environment as a whole. Ultimately, with reduced rates of fossil fuels available and at increasingly higher costs, the cost benefit analysis of further car usage begins to shift in favor of considering alternatives. Yet, as has been discussed, the actual level of investment and hardship to the overall economy is ultimately what has kept the system from engaging with these; at least up until this point. References Hills, M. (2011). "High-Speed Rail Overview." Congressional Digest 90.4: 98-128. Academic Search Complete. Web. 26 Jan. 2013. Hochschild, A. (2005). Bury the Chains. Literary Cavalcade, 57(7), 12-17. Kay, J. (2007). Without a car in the world. MITs Technology Review, 100(5), 53. Rusz, J. (2005). What does the future hold for the realm of the automobile?. Road & Track, 46(8), 156. Read More