Transportation and the Green Cities Project

• Transportation Basics
• Green City Models of Transportation
• Transportation Links

 

 

 

Transportation Basics

With each new report on local air quality, commuting times, drunk driving, global warming or suburban sprawl, it is becoming more and more clear that automobiles are threatening our communities, our health, and the earth.
For example, automobile use:

• Kills street life
• Damages the social fabric of communities
• Isolates people
• Fosters suburban sprawl

  Kills and maims large numbers of drivers - 41,967 American deaths in 1997 alone.
• Endangers other street users
• Mars the city's beauty
• Disturbs people with its noise
• Causes air pollution
• Wastes energy and natural resources
• Impoverishes nations
• Is on the rise - the average fuel economy of passenger vehicles has decreased by about 6.6% between 1987 and 1997. Over the same period, the average vehicle miles traveled per person has increased by 33%.

There are many methods of city planning that can decrease the use of automobiles. Increase in public transportation, designation of car-free zones within city centers, and some mixed use areas - commercial and residential - could all reduce the use of automobiles and the hazards inherent to their use.

Green City Models of Transportation

LeHigh, Pennsylvania has developed the Coalition for Alternative Transportation (CAT) which is "an educational charity working to improve mobility. Better walking, bicycling and transit improve the economy and our quality of life. Better transportation options can reduce congestion, pollution and automobile crashes, too. Curbing our ever-increasing use of the automobile can fight problems such as suburban sprawl, obesity and high medical costs. CAT helps us enjoy our car free options! CAT volunteer Board and committee members envision the Lehigh Valley with both an extensive network of public trails and a safe road system which is accessible for those who want to walk, bicycle or take mass transit.

Transportation Links

Guide to Green Transport Plans
Car Buster Pages
The Alternative-fuel Vehicle Directory
Clean Cities
Transportation Alternatives (for New York City)
Light Rail
Car Free.com

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This website is a part of the Green Cities Project. It is currently being maintained by web@greencitiesproject.org. The last update to this page was made on December 10, 2000.