Integration of public transportation modes in metropoliton Dade county, Florida

This paper describes the regional approach utilized by Metropolitan Dade County, Florida, in developing its Unified Transportation System which, when fully implemented, will consist of an elevated, conventional rail system; a feeder bus system; and an elevated Downtown People Mover system. Additionally, the paper describes the basic characteristics of the system´s various components and focuses on certain problems encountered, at both the policy-making and technical levels, in providing for their full integration. Emphasis is placed on the difficulties which have arisen due to the inherent technological differences of the fully automated DPM system and the conventional heavy rail rapid transit system presently under construction in Dade County.