Abstract :
Since prehistory, the growth and maximum size (in square kilometers) of cities has been largely determined by the quality of local transportation. Ideally, urban transport should be frequent, dependable, fast, convenient, safe, and inexpensive. In developed nations, the private automobile has met these goals so well that once secondary questions of land use (roads, parking), energy supply, pollution, and social impact have become the major issues. Though most planners admit that autos will remain a major component in any foreseeable urban/suburban transportation ¿mix,¿ they expect vigorous competition for riders from new mass-transit systems. Indeed, greatly reducing (or restricting) automobile travel through downtown business districts seems the only guarantee against endless traffic jams, unhealthy pollution levels, and parking garage architecture.
