STANDARD AND SOCIAL ASPECTS OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF PASSENGER TRANSPORT IN THE CITIES OF THE USSR

Urbanization in the Soviet Union involves city planning efforts for periods of up to 30 years ahead. A vital facet is transportation planning aimed at developing a mix of modes insuring movement of passengers and freight with a minimum expenditure of time and maximum of convenience. Integrated transit schemes are developed for all cities of over 250,000 population. Soviet cities are classified in ascending size: Small--up to 50,000; medium--50,--- to 100,000; large--100,000; very large--250,000 to 1 million; largest--over 1 million. In small and medium cities, bus transit is basic. In large cities trolley buses are also used, possibly along with streetcars on the heaviest routes. In very large cities there will be light rail and express buses. The largest cities generally have or will have subway and surface rapid transit. The capacities of the various modes are highly developed. Great consideration is given to environmental protection, including noise control. The Russian emphasis is on fostering public transit, primarily electrified transport. Automobiles are not a major mode for work trips: an integrated approach is used to serve the population using public transit.