Project Title
Flaws and Potential Solutions to the US Transportation Industry
Faculty Mentor(s) Name(s)
Dr. Christine Mutiti
Abstract
The US since the 1940s has had a primarily car-based transportation system, which is quite problematic, both environmentally and socially. Transportation is the country’s largest producer of greenhouse gasses, and 57% of those emissions are from personal vehicles such as cars, trucks, and SUVs. Car-dependent infrastructure encourages other environmental issues, such as urban sprawl. These issues compound and magnify each other, creating a transportation system that is difficult to fix. Comparing the US, whose transportation sector emits more greenhouse gasses than any other country, to countries such as Japan highlights the stark differences in their transport systems. The vast majority of transportation in Japan is by rail, with only 11% of transportation being by car, and as a result, their transportation emissions are significantly lower than that of the United States. The goal of this research was to determine problems facing the United States transit industry, and to find sustainable changes that can be made. The transit efficiency of the US was analyzed based on statistical tests between the US and other countries, such as Japan. Efficiency of different modes of transport were also analyzed. Results showed that transit via rail was significantly more efficient than cars. Proposed changes include introduction of high-speed rail, which is already being implemented in states such as California and Texas. Introduction of biking infrastructure can also provide strong environmental and social benefits. The evidence is clear that the US transportation industry is deeply flawed, and a complete overhaul is required for environmental and social persistence.
Flaws and Potential Solutions to the US Transportation Industry
The US since the 1940s has had a primarily car-based transportation system, which is quite problematic, both environmentally and socially. Transportation is the country’s largest producer of greenhouse gasses, and 57% of those emissions are from personal vehicles such as cars, trucks, and SUVs. Car-dependent infrastructure encourages other environmental issues, such as urban sprawl. These issues compound and magnify each other, creating a transportation system that is difficult to fix. Comparing the US, whose transportation sector emits more greenhouse gasses than any other country, to countries such as Japan highlights the stark differences in their transport systems. The vast majority of transportation in Japan is by rail, with only 11% of transportation being by car, and as a result, their transportation emissions are significantly lower than that of the United States. The goal of this research was to determine problems facing the United States transit industry, and to find sustainable changes that can be made. The transit efficiency of the US was analyzed based on statistical tests between the US and other countries, such as Japan. Efficiency of different modes of transport were also analyzed. Results showed that transit via rail was significantly more efficient than cars. Proposed changes include introduction of high-speed rail, which is already being implemented in states such as California and Texas. Introduction of biking infrastructure can also provide strong environmental and social benefits. The evidence is clear that the US transportation industry is deeply flawed, and a complete overhaul is required for environmental and social persistence.