Reflective Essay

To:

From: Almutairi, Saud

Date: 21 January 2014

Subject: Abstracts for In-class Assignment

APA Format:

Marshall, A. (2013, November). Thinking Differently About Transportation: How Ideas Drive What we Build. Future Structure, 10-19.

MLA Format:

Marshall, Alex. “Thinking Differently About Transportation: How Ideas Drive What we Build.” Future Structure Nov. 2013: 10-19. Print.

Informative Abstract:

The white paper cites several examples to illustrate how infrastructure development does not necessarily require large investments or sophisticated technology, but can instead be brought about by thinking differently. For example the Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) utilizes buses and dedicated lanes to deliver a fast surface transportation system similar to underground subways. Another example is bicycle sharing and public plazas, being adopted by major cities across the world. A different approach to tackle the twin problems of car congestion and falling revenues from gas taxes was adopted by Ohio planners when they introduced a pilot project to charge motorists according to miles driven, and not according to fuel consumed. Also notable is the revival of intercity bus travel by the “Chinatown” bus system in Boston. Ethnic Chinese in the city started an extremely low priced transit system by picking up people off the streets instead of from designated bus stations. Through these examples the author tries to show that often complex infrastructure problems can be solved by taking account peoples’ lifestyles and habits, and by evaluating the objectives of a project, rather than by simply spending money to create more infrastructures.

Descriptive Abstract:

Infrastructure and transport problems are faced by every major city in the world, but many cities often solve their problems by approaching the problems differently than by investing large amounts. Some of the solutions adopted by cities require neither high technology nor huge government spending – instead they try to meet their objectives in a different way. City planners and transport officials need to identify the lifestyles of city dwellers in order to understand why a problem has occurred, and then need to evaluate their objectives. This often leads to a more optimal solution, often at a much lower cost but with greater participation from users.