POTENTIAL IMPACTS OF RAPID TRANSIT AND PUBLIC RESPONSES TO RAPID TRANSIT PLANS

The analysis of the rapid transit plan developed for the St. Louis region was utilized to present a procedure for analyzing costs and benefits of rapid transit impacts to users and non-users and people's attitudes toward these impacts. An interview scaling technique was applied to various socioeconomic groups to learn their attitudes toward such transit features as subways, transit security, surface tracks, and access parks and schools. This type of analysis was oriented toward assisting the transit planner to make the choice between modifying his plan in the face of opposition or seeking to achieve a compromise between groups who oppose separate features of the proposed system. This report suggests ways in which a formula for applying political wisdom to achieving rapid transit success in large urban areas could begin to be developed.