SUBURBANIZATION AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR URBAN TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS

The basic premise of this report is that with the growing trend toward suburbanization, more effective transportation systems must be developed to meet the needs of the low-density, suburban population. Up until this time, urban transportation systems have focused on the CBD of the large city. It is evident now, however, that more flexible forms of transportation must be developed in conjunction with fixed-route systems. The paper is divided into two sections, the first of which summarizes the current trends of suburbanization and their effects on transportation. It also outlines the implications of Federal RD&D, which include technology sharing, state-of-the-art advancement, and demonstration support. Section II details urban demographic and transportation trends, utilizing graphs to show the growth of suburban population in recent years. Transportation system options are described, including the automobile, bus, rapid rail transit, and demand-responsive systems. Discussion of future systems includes personal rapid transit and dual mode. Each system discussed is then classified according to its role in the total transportation system: i.e. high density vs. low-density transportation. In the final analysis, it is accepted that development of urban transportation systems has not kept pace with the changing nature of cities in recent years. A system which offers a modal selection to its residents is what is needed. The complexities of integrating such a total transportation system with urban planning techniques is what transportation planners must consider in designing the most effective system for an area's residents.