A New Focus for Environmentalist

Automobiles are one of the leading causes of pollution in Atlanta. Smog from cars, whether they are giant SUVs owned by middle class mothers carting their children to and from school, to sports cars owned by rich businessmen, to beaten down clunkers that are barely dragging its own weight down the road. Despite the many different movements that the people, governments, and organizations have made to reduce pollution and dependency on automobiles, it is clear that Atlanta has a long way to go before it finds a way to reduce its dependency on such a popular mode of transportation. Even with the movement towards hybrid cars, such as the Toyota Prius, and electric cars, such as the Nissan Leaf, the progression to a healthier mode of transportation is a slow one. The focus of environmental issues dealing with transportation needs to shift from changing the way cars run and focus more on supporting mass public transportation across largely populated areas.

When looking at the city of Atlanta, one can argue that cars are necessary for the day to day movement across the metropolitan area, and not be far from accurate. MARTA is a failed system as it is now. Even with the 1 percent sales tax that is supposed to go to improving the public transportation system, MARTA still struggles to be a viable and reliable mode of transportation around the city. Due to the limited area that MARTA train stations cover, and the inconsistency of the buses, MARTA has not been given the support and chance to grow that it needs to replace cars as the primary mode of transportation. Compared to cities such as New York, London, Munich, and Washington DC, the connectivity of Atlanta’s public transportation system, MARTA, is very lacking. The high dependency on automobiles leads Atlanta to be a less attractive city, with several reoccuring issues of air and sound pollution. The first image that comes to mind when people imagine Atlanta is nighttime and day time traffic, while in New York, people imagine the subway systems and the several landmarks.

What MARTA needs to do is connect all the major districts of Atlanta to provide easy access for those who need to get around quickly and cheaply in the city on a daily basis. It seems like an obvious statement, but so far the leaders of the different counties in Atlanta fail to recognize the importance of having a stable and reliable public transportation system, and prefer to be stuck in traffic for several hours at a time simply to leave their jobs and go home. A suggested redesign of the public transportation system of Atlanta includes several different forms of transportation including light and heavy rails as well as the buses that already exists. With several forms of transportation already in place, the added connection and increased accessibility will allow Atlanta to thrive more as a city with good public transportation, lower pollution levels, and generally a better reputation as a large city.

Works Cited

Jacobs, Jane. The Death and Life of Great American Cities. New York: Random House,
1961.

Murphy, Deanna. Lecture. ENGL 1101: Rhetoric of Mass Transportation. Georgia
Institute of Technology, 23 Sept. 2011.

Cars in the Public Eye

The culture we live in today is diverse, vibrant, and constantly changing. However, one factor in today’s culture that has not changed for many decades is the idealization of automobiles. Car culture may not seem as if it affects the overall society to many people, yet it practically defines modern transportation and is a major part of all of our lives. Our society cannot effectively move forward with the idea of public transportation while car culture is fully immersed in our everyday routines. The support behind the car dependent civilization is often not even noticeable because it is seen as such a constant in society today. Meanwhile, many people are advocating public transit as the most sound mode of transportation yet they cannot overcome the advertising, idealism, and media support that goes along with cars in today’s world. It appears as if our society is caught in a type of “catch 22” where we know it is best for our lifestyles to expand public transportation but we are being held back by our very own culture.

Imagine carpooling to work and, while sitting in traffic, you hear in the background an advertisement on the radio that describes a luxurious new car, but you aren’t fully paying attention to the ad because you’re talking to your friend about the awful traffic jam and how somebody needs to do something about it. Then while pulling off the highway, there is a billboard for your favorite movie, depicting the main characters smiling in their car. This reality is not far off of what many Americans face nearly everyday and that is before they even reach their workplace. It’s not that most Americans don’t see that automobiles are an issue; it’s merely that they cannot change anything about it while sitting in their cars. That is not to say that everyday Americans are to blame. The majority of city infrastructures do not allow for there to be another reasonable alternative for the mass amounts of people driving. That has to do with the idea of our cultures, or cities, literally being built around the mobility of cars. Over the years, cars have become more and more idealized and much of this can be attributed to the public media. Movies and TV shows have long been showing and, on occasion, exaggerating the benefits of owing a car. As discussed by Schiller in Sustainable Transportation: Policy, Planning, and Implementation: “With or without formal encouragement from the auto industry, on film and in its lifestyle, glamorized and romanticized the automobile” (36). Cars have been a kind of status symbol for as long as they have existed; when people see their favorite movie star driving around in a new car they will automatically want a car for themselves. This idolization of cars is shown in other types of media as well, such as TV commercials, pop music, radio ads, and more. Our society has fenced itself in and prevented itself from successfully expanding our public transportation and therefore benefitting our community by exploiting the appeal of the automobile.

So how should advocates of public transit get their point across to those who idealize cars? This is a major problem and there does not seem to be any clear-cut answer. The population that these people need to reach is that which drives to work in traffic, wasting hours of valuable time and polluting the air, yet those residents in their cars do not have time to listen to supporters of public transit and if the supporters tried to advertise via car radio then they are pushing the line of hypocrites. This leaves our society in an unchanging and detrimental path. In the end, something has to change. Whether is be the way people are promoting public transit or the way in which cars are romanticizes to the general public or both, action needs to be taken so that our communities can have the opportunity to grow and thrive freely without being held back by our past with automobiles.

Works Cited

Schiller, Preston, Eric C. Bruun, and Jeffrey R. Kenworthy. Introduction to Sustainable

Transportation: Policy, Planning and Implementation. London: Earthscan, 2010.

The Harsh Consequences of a Car-Dependent Culture

Effective transportation has always played an important role in the development of a culture. During the earlier periods of human history, the purpose of transportation was simply to import and export food and products from one part of the country to the other. Later on, horse-drawn wagons were used to help people move and settle on different areas. However, transportation was never defined by increased pollution, crime, and health problems; these are the effects that car dependency brings to most cultures. Now, observe today’s world, and notice how mass transportation is abused.

Pollution can be broken down into several factors such as air, water, and land pollution. All of these factors have endangered the health of the human race. Air pollution has been shown to cause or increase the risk of developing asthma. The contamination of potable water has caused bacteria to enter the human body and cause serious, and sometimes fatal, illnesses. Also, the increase of acid rain and chemical spills in water has greatly harmed the species in forests and jungles around the globe. Land pollution can be caused by the acid rain which erodes top soil. Perhaps the greatest land pollution contributor is the building and expansion of roads. Our car-dependent culture has caused a ridiculously large expansion in highways and busy roads in order to alleviate congestion. Although this simply creates more traffic jams.

A car-dependent culture has also created a higher crime rate. Since the car culture has increased, more roads are being built, and as a result sidewalks are deteriorating. This results in less people walking to work or as leisure and a greater risk in crime taking place. Because neighbourhood sidewalks are becoming less common, it is not rare to find a suspicious stranger walking around. However, if a neighbourhood has nice sidewalks where people are able to interact with one another, the atmosphere created is one of safety.

Moreover, the third effect car dependency has on us is diminishing health. It has been said for decades that walking is the best form of exercise. The fact that people seclude themselves in their cars can not only decrease their amount of daily exercise, but it also decreases their interaction with people and they are more prone to suffer from depression and stress. Also, studies have shown that many bus drivers have faced kidney failure because they are sitting down for too many hours a day and not getting enough exercise. This has also raised awareness and car-dependent cities are becoming walking cities. One example is Copenhagen; this city is reversing its culture and becoming a walking city.

Compared to today’s car-dependent culture, transportation centuries ago was used for the movement of food and products. Now, transportation is even used for leisure, and there is very little awareness of all the harmful effects such as increases in pollution, crime, and health problems. Such a great dependency in automobiles has caused a drastic expansion in road infrastructure, which has led to an increase in traffic congestion. As population density in cities, inhabitants are beginning to become more aware of all the consequences their decisions have caused.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Jacobs, Jane. The Death and Life of Great American Cities. New York: Random House,
1961.

Murphy, Deanna. Lecture. ENGL 1101: Rhetoric of Mass Transportation. Georgia
Institute of Technology, 23 Sept. 2011.

What's the 411?

What’s the 411? The 411 connector is a project that has been proposed by the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT). Its goal is to create a bypass that would connect Bartow country I-75 with the Rome area in Georgia. Aside from the obvious immediate consequences of faster travel and more mobility between both roads, there are also other concerns that have been brought up. The environmental, cultural, and economic consequences of this plan have been used as augment against the 411 connector. This connector should not be built, and instead in its place should be a different plan that would achieve the same goal of mobility and connection, with less economic, cultural, and environmental burden.

The current plan for the 411 connector is called route D-VE. This plan would have an “800-foot wide, 125-foot deep gash to be blasted through Dobbins Mountain” (GA Conservancy). This cultural and historic mountain has many feature that this connector would destroy, such as the Dobbins’ Mines: a series of abandoned mine shafts that date to 1867. That’s historic enough to be worthy of inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places! The current plan for the connector would also have many environmental effects, such as the giant gash that’s being planned to be blown through the mountainside. This gash would be “tall enough to hold a 12-story building and wide enough to comfortably fit four 747 jet planes sitting wingtip to wingtip” (GA Conservancy). This reckless use of manpower and explosions would certainly hurt the surrounding environment and ecosystems, not to mention the noise and air pollution that would be an added distraction for hikers, campers, and bikers that use the many trails in and around the Dobbins Mountain area. And finally that the economic expense that the GDOT would have to muster up and supply for this proposal is immensely more expensive than other plans. The current plan, Route D-VE, would cost the GDOT $280 million of public funds. That is a huge amount of money just to destroy a mountain with cultural and environmental significance.

However, there is another plan that with enough support might be chosen. This plan, known as Route G, would not only bypass cutting through the mountain, but bypass any destruction of the surrounding habitat at all. This plan would be 2.5 miles shorter than the other plan that would be so efficient for mobility and travel: making Route G the most efficient and shortest route to choose. Also Route G would not destroy the Dobbins’ Mines nor the surrounding environment in the area with air and noise pollution. And finally the Route G plan would be $182 million cheaper than the currently proposed route that would be blasting through the mountain.

So, what’s the 411? The 411 is that the Georgia Department of Transportation is recklessly spending money without thinking first. They are going to destroy natural habitat, historic mines, and a beautiful mountain used by hikers, campers, and bikers alike. The GDOT is going to go forward with this absurd plan if no one speaks up. We need you to speak up. Please understand that the alternate plan, Route G, is a better solution. It’s not only shorter and cheaper, but more environmentally friendly as well. Keep updated on the 411 Connector and please sign at the link below to stop the blatant disregard of the better option by the GDOT. Thank you.

GA Conservancy. Web. Oct. 2011. http://www.georgiaconservancy.org/where-we-stand/411-connector.html

Concept 3: A New Atlanta

Most citizens of the Atlanta and metro-Atlanta area would agree that the transportation system in this area is far behind most major U.S. cities. Unlike the subway in New York, the BART system in San Francisco, or the T in Boston, MARTA only travels North-South and East-West. Many proposals have been made to overhaul the entire system in Atlanta, but one plan, instead, is trying to build around the current MARTA lines. Concept 3 not only utilizes MARTA’s current heavy rail, but it also bring in commuter rails, light rails and streetcars, and adds expressway buses. But what would each of these new types of transportation in Concept 3 do for Atlanta?

If enacted, there would be extensions to both directions of the already existing MARTA heavy rail. The North Line rail would be extended to Windward Parkway, the West Line would be extended to I-285/I-20, and there is a proposed line from East Point to the Southern Crescent Station. By extending the North lIne there would be a transit system to access the North Point, Perimeter, and Buckhead areas, which are all highly commercial areas, The extension could be a much needed economy boost to the area and away from this area because it would now be much more accessible. AFter extending the existing MARTA system, the project would move forward to multiple commuter rails. 

The new commuter rail service would be provide to Athens and Griffin as an all day service, and to Senoia, Bremen, and Gainesville during peak travel periods. This rail would help meet the needs of many commuters that travel more than half an hour each way on a daily basis. These lines would significantly decrease the emissions into the air substantially because less cars would be commuting every day, and there would be less traffic. The commuter rail would benefit many Atlanta workers who would prefer not to pay for gas prices because they travel pretty far distances. The next step to enacting Concept 3 would be adding the light rail and the streetcar services.

Production has already begun on a streetcar that will travel down Peachtree Street in Atlanta; Concept 3 would also introduce the beltline, an I-75 light rail from Town Center to Midtown/Downtown, an I-285 rail from Smyrna to Doraville, an I-85 rail from Doraville to Gwinnett Place Mall, and finally, an Emory-Lindbergh-Decatur rail. Not only do light rails serve for trips farther than can be walked, but they also bring much more commerce to activity centers around Atlanta. The light rails would connect areas better that the current MARTA does not reach, and it would be easily accessible from a streetcar. These rails would give Atlanta more mobility. Another mode of transportation suggested in Concept 3 that would benefit Atlanta greatly would be an expressway bus system. 

Lastly, the freeway bus system proposed in Concept 3 would have liens traveling I-75, and sever lines each traveling I-20 and I-285. This would help clear up the freeways because less people would need to drive, and it would be much faster to take the bus because would be able to travel on bus-only lanes. These bus-only lanes would be an incentive for people to ride the buses because there would never be any traffic on them. Also, these buses could be easily connected to the other stationary transportation options included in Concept 3. The freeway bus system would help Atlanta with many different transportation issues. 

Concept 3 introduces many different modes of transportation along with a safer, more effective way of travel throughout the Atlanta area. If enacted, Atlanta could become an even bigger business mecca and Atlanta’s economy could get a good boost. 

Atlanta Regional Commission. "Section 2: Developing Concept 3." Concept 3 1 (2008): 2.1-2.15. Atlanta Regional Commission. Web. 3 Oct. 2011.

America is Playing Catch-Up

America is Playing Catch-Up

America has been viewed as the world leader since the 1950‘s. The US has had one of the best economies, some of the best opportunities, and almost the best standard of living. That doesn’t mean that America is number one at everything though. Sometimes the US doesn’t even come close. Take transportation for example; since the highways were built, funding for public transportation has been cut in half. This has lead to the US falling behind in the public transportation sector. Other countries have since surpassed us in their transportation systems. America is not a world leader in public transportation. America is playing catch-up.

In the US public transportation is atrocious. Lots of cities have very limited transportation due to lack of funding, and the cities that claim have transportation have terrible systems to boast. In Atlanta, the Metro-Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) has an extensive network of bus stops and train stops, but none of which function to the best of their ability. People in certain areas are limited by the effect of urban sprawl and rapid outward development (Bullard). This creates poor public transportation conditions. In the US few cities have a good, let alone a great standard of public transportation. One of the few is the Regional Transportation District (RTD) in Denver. This is considered one of the best systems in the US, but it is still effected by urban sprawl, and lack of funding. If the US doesn’t begin to fund and support more public transportation,the lack of mobility is going to cause the US to fall behind. Thus America is playing catch-up with the rest of the world, especially Europe.

In Europe public transportation is how people get around. The train and bus systems in place in Europe are far superior in effectiveness and efficiency than in the US. This is partly to due with the high gas prices, but mainly to do with the more advanced public transportation development in Europe. Spain is especially exceptional in their efforts to be a world leader in public transportation. They are the number one leader in light-rail transportation in the world. Six out of the eight leading companies that are developing light-rail transportation are located in Spain (Blueprint America). As time continues, when other areas in the world start to develop their own public transportation, they will look to Spain for guidance instead of the US.

So America needs to realize that it is falling behind in the transportation sector of development. Once the US realizes this, it then needs to jump on the opportunity to get “back in the game”. Instead of playing catch-up with Spain and the rest of Europe, the US should engage in more public transportation development. Funding should be implemented, at least until the private sector takes over as they have in Spain. The US needs to begin taking steps to become a world leader again, and the investment in public transportation is a perfect opportunity for the US to do so. America needs to stop playing catch-up, and start winning the race.

Bullard, Robert D., Glenn S. Johnson, and Angel O. Torres. Sprawl City: Race, Politics, and Planning in Atlanta. Washington, DC: Island Press, 2000. Print.

Blueprint America: Beyond the Motor City. Thirteen, 08 Feb. 2010. Web. 18 Sept. 2011 <http://www.pbs.org/wnet/blueprintamerica/reports/beyond-the-motor- city/video/939/>

The Focal Point of Infrastructure Revolution

America has fallen from its pedestal as the most competitive economy in the world. Gradually, countries such as Brazil, China, India, and Singapore have grown to the point where they are competing neck to neck with the United States. The Euro has become the more powerful than the dollar, and America has become almost a laughing stalk in terms of competitive edge. Many of the luxuries that Americans enjoy are created by businesses centered in other countries. Major car companies, such as Kia, BMW, Toyota, and Nissan are more commonly driven on American roads than American based car companies such as General Motors and Ford. My mother drives a Toyota and has a Mercedes, my car is a Lexus RX300, and my father drives a BMW. All of these are foreign cars. America does not manufacture like it once did. Detroit was formally known as an international power in the auto industry, but now the entire city is struggling economically. With the amount of focus that the American government places on automobile industries, to the point where the government bailed out General Motors when it was on the verge of dying, one would think that Americans would be more motivated to use American made cars. We are an automobile dependent country, so why would we rely on other countries’ auto industries to provide the cars we used? The American government should do more to provide modes of transportation for its citizens, whether it is by creating alternate forms of transportation from automobiles or to support American based auto industry.

America has no internationally significant mode of transportation that makes it stand out. Compared to the convenience of the Euro Rail in Europe, or the light rails in Spain, transportation in America is really inefficient. In Blueprint America: Beyond the Motor City, the topic of redesigning the infrastructure of the city is discussed heavily. The situation in Detroit is significant because it represents a start to complete change of many cities. Detroit developing a good public transportation system will trigger the start of a new look at the city. Imagine a Detroit with good public transportation. Hopefully as a result, the streets will be clearer of cars, which would make walking safer for pedestrians. More communities will grow closer together, due to the growing social encounters since everyone is no longer isolated by their cars. The money from the transportation system, whether bus, train, or street car will go to benefit the city. With the potential for advancement in Detroit, the success of the model will encourage other cities to develop and improve their public transportations. Cities like Atlanta will work to improve the bus and train system, making it more accessible for everyone, saving much time and money for each individual. What is required for this change though, is a starting point, and In Blueprint America: Beyond the Motor City argues that Detroit can be the focal point for this necessary change. Perhaps a trigger in one city can spread a revolution of transportation infrastructure. It would not be a bad thing at all.

Resources:

Blueprint America: Beyond the Motor City. Dir. Aaron Woolf. Prod. PBS. 2010. Film.