Is public transportation actually inconvenient? Five things that surprised me about America's car society

Urban structure spread over a vast area

When one considers the urban structure of the United States, its sprawling character is quite striking. Due to the large size of the U.S., many cities are spread over a wide area. This results in long distances between various areas, which can be inconvenient when using public transportation.

This is especially true in suburban and regional cities rather than urban areas. Many residential and commercial areas are dispersed over vast areas, many of which are not suitable for travel on foot. In such urban structures, owning a private car is an important factor in quality of life.

There are also many well planned and designed communities in the United States. However, even these are designed to be traveled by car and do not take pedestrians and bicyclists into consideration sufficiently. For example, large shopping malls and supermarkets often have very large parking lots, which means that even a single shopping trip may require a long walk.

Against this backdrop, some people tend to choose to travel by private car over public transportation. As a result, highways and major arterial roads are always congested, and there are concerns about air pollution and environmental impact. Despite these problems, however, many people maintain a car-centric lifestyle out of convenience and comfort.

In general, the urban structure based on the vast land area unique to the U.S. has a significant impact on people's daily lives and transportation choices. In order to improve this situation and move toward a more sustainable and livable environment, new urban planning and public transportation infrastructure development efforts are required.

Lifestyle where a private car is essential

Living in the United States, one often feels the strong influence of the car society. In particular, "a lifestyle in which a private car is essential" is an unavoidable reality of daily life in many areas. The United States is a vast country, with cities and towns spread out over a wide area. As a result, distances to destinations are often long, and getting around without a private car is very inconvenient.

First, everyday shopping places such as supermarkets and shopping malls may also be several kilometers away from their homes. Walking or biking would take too much time and effort, so many people use cars. The same is true for commuting to school or work, where it can be difficult to arrive on time using public transportation alone. In these situations, the private car becomes more than just a means of transportation; it is a necessity of life.

In addition, many areas do not have a well-developed public transportation network and their frequency is limited, with only a few buses or trains running per day in some cases. In such cases, reliance on the private car inevitably increases. This is especially true in suburban and rural areas.

Also, the freedom and convenience that comes with owning a private car cannot be overlooked. The ability to travel where you want, when you want is a major attraction. With public transportation, the range of activities and time of day are restricted by timetables and route maps. However, with a private car, which allows you to travel at your own pace, you do not have to worry about such restrictions.

Thus, "a lifestyle in which a private car is essential" is deeply rooted in the daily landscape of the United States. However, this lifestyle also brings with it various challenges, such as environmental issues, that must be considered. Nevertheless, many people continue to choose this lifestyle because of its convenience.

Low public transportation ridership

The low ridership of public transportation in the United States is one of the surprises to many people. The difference is especially noticeable when compared to urban areas in Japan and Europe. In the U.S., the number of people using public transportation is very limited, as private cars are the primary means of transportation. There are several reasons behind this.

First, many U.S. cities are spread over large areas of land, and access between cities and to the suburbs is essential. Therefore, a private car is essential for efficient travel. Furthermore, in many cases, public transportation alone may not be enough to get you smoothly to your destination. It is necessary to take buses and trains, which also takes time.

Second, public transportation itself is not well developed in many areas. With the exception of some large cities, many areas have few bus or train services, which can be inconvenient. In addition, since stations and bus stops are often not within walking distance, it is often necessary to use a private car to get to the nearest station.

Additionally, some people avoid public transportation because of safety concerns. They may feel insecure at certain times of the day or in certain areas. As a result, they tend to choose private vehicles to protect themselves and their families.

All of these factors combine to cause people to choose the private car as their daily mode of transportation. In order to increase the number of public transportation users under these circumstances, it will be necessary to implement a variety of measures to improve safety, as well as large-scale infrastructure improvements. Only then will people be able to use public transportation more safely and efficiently. Solving this issue will require time and effort. However, if we can also contribute to reducing environmental burdens by doing so, we can say that we are killing two birds with one stone.

Frequency of bus and train service and accessibility issues

When considering public transportation in the United States, the challenges of frequency and accessibility emerge, especially for buses and trains. In many cities, public transportation provides limited service and is often inconvenient for users.

First, regarding the frequency of bus and train service, in many cases the intervals are very long. For example, even in large cities, it is not uncommon to find routes with one bus every 30 minutes to an hour during the daytime on weekdays. This can be inconvenient for people trying to use public transportation for commuting to work or school, as they have to time their trips accordingly. Especially on weekends and at night, the number of trains is even less frequent, and in some areas, the service itself may be suspended.

Then there is the issue of accessibility. Because of the vast land area in the U.S., people are expected to travel by private car, and many residential areas may not be within walking distance of the nearest bus stop or train station. As a result, this poses a major hurdle for the elderly, disabled, and others who do not have access to private vehicles. In addition, there are cases where public transportation itself is not maintained in the first place, such as in newly developed residential areas.

This situation also affects people's daily lives. For example, if you want to go shopping after work, public transportation may not be a good stop for you. Also, when you go out, it is difficult to choose public transportation as a means of returning home, which increases reliance on private vehicles.

To solve these issues, a shift to a more flexible and efficient operation system and the introduction of new technologies to improve convenience are required as measures to respond to the diversifying needs of residents. However, these improvements will not happen overnight, as they require significant investment and long-term planning. Nevertheless, addressing this issue is an important step toward building a sustainable society.

City development not pedestrian friendly

Many American cities are not always pedestrian-friendly environments. This problem is due to urban planning and infrastructure shaped by the development of a car-based society. First, because of the vast land area of American cities, distances between destinations are typically very long. As a result, it can take too much time and effort to travel on foot.

In addition, many neighborhoods may not have sidewalks. It is not uncommon for sidewalks to be undeveloped, especially in suburban and newly developed residential areas. As a result, pedestrians must walk on the roadway in some situations, creating an unsafe situation. Furthermore, in some cities, there are few traffic signals or pedestrian crossings, which can make crossing the street hazardous.

In addition, many commercial buildings and shopping centers are surrounded by huge parking lots, which also create distances for walking around the site. Such a design is convenient for those visiting by private vehicle, but inconvenient for those accessing the site by public transportation or on foot.

In addition, in some areas there are fewer streetlights at night, creating a safety hazard. These factors often make it difficult for people to live without a private car.

There are also concerns about the environmental impact of this type of urban development. The assumption of car use will lead to increased air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. This situation also creates a major barrier to daily life for those without access to private vehicles, such as the elderly and people with disabilities.

From the perspective of sustainability, this current situation needs to be improved. In the future, there is a need to shift to urban development that supports diverse means of transportation, including the development of people-friendly infrastructure and stronger linkages with public transportation systems. Only through such efforts will we be able to change to a truly livable society.

Environmental Impact and Sustainability Concerns

The American car society faces many challenges in terms of environmental impact and sustainability. First, the proliferation of private automobiles has inevitably increased carbon dioxide emissions and contributed to global warming. Especially in the U.S., where vast tracts of land are available, one car per person is common, and as a result, traffic congestion and air pollution have become serious problems.

In addition, in areas where public transportation is inadequate, residents are forced to use private vehicles in their daily lives. In such areas, the frequency of public transportation is low and access is inconvenient due to a lack of investment in public transportation and the low number of users. As a result, many people are forced to choose car travel, which has a high environmental impact and results in increased energy consumption.

Furthermore, car-centered urban planning is not pedestrian- or bicyclist-friendly, limiting opportunities for people to get around on foot or by bicycle. Such urban structures limit people's options in their daily lives and hinder the shift to sustainable modes of transportation.

Proactive efforts by public institutions and businesses are required to address these challenges. Examples include investments in large-scale public transportation infrastructure and policies to promote the spread of electric vehicles. In addition, each citizen must also make an effort to raise environmental awareness and shift to an energy-efficient lifestyle.

Thus, it is imperative that the U.S. move away from its dependence on the private automobile and transform itself into a more sustainable society. This will only be possible if government, citizens, and businesses all work together.