URBAN PASSENGER TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS: SOME SELECTION CRITERIA

This article discusses some of the factors that should be considered when planning on urban passenger transportation system by drawing the experience of metropolitan Toronto. An important factor is the cost and energy intensiveness of a given mode (e.g. the diesel bus is much less energy intensive than rail transit, while the low occupancy automobile is the most energy intensive of all). Another is convenience and travel time for the passenger. Rail transit is generally perceived as providing a superior service to bus systems, but the latter can be upgraded to approach the convenience of rail by providing exclusive rights-of-way and improved stations and shelters. The main factor to consider when the transportation network and designating the land uses is population density. A residential density of not less than 15,000 persons per square mile is considered necessary to make public transit viable. The most economical tool for transportation improvements is a transportation management system designed to make more efficient use of existing highways, streets and transit systems without requiring large capital investments. This concept calls for establishing better balance and coordination among various elements of the urban transportation system in order to contribute to broader local and national goals of energy conservation, economy, environmental improvement, equity for transit dependent persons and the creation of aesthetically attractive urban land forms. This in turn calls for improved vehicular flow, high-occupancy vehicle preferment, travel reduction, parking manangement, ride sharing, transit and para-transit improvements and transit-management efficiency measures.