New options for cities David Santiago-Bonilla undergraduate student INCI4019 Civil Engineering Seminar-Section 100 November 27, 2011 Mr. Ismael Pagรกn
The public transportation system The start of public transportation system as a solution to urban problems The Oil Crisis of the 1970’s Types of public transportation system Models used Conclusions Recommendations
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To determine the advantages and disadvantages of the public transportation system in different communities, and to promote the implementation of the system to communities to the communities that do not have to reduce traffic jams and pollution.
To improves the quality of life in the cities with the use of public transportation systems. To determine common models that had been used in the public transportation systems. To determine the level of investment in the public transportation system. To encourage the use and investment of an efficient and well planned public transportation system.
Is a transportation system that help passengers to travel without their private vehicle. They’re design to move large amounts of people at once.
Figure 1, Buses of the AMA, San Juan, PR (Reference: DTOP)
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They are set in rail-like fixed routes, like a circuit, to give programmed services in a schedule.
Figure 2, Map of the Metro MedellĂn, Colombia (reference, Metro MedellĂn)
Figure 3, Electric Trolley, Mayagüez Tramway Co., 1900’s
Steam-powered machines started to be produced after the Industrial Revolution of the XIX Century. The idea of using it as a respond to the urban development comes after the Second World War.
Figure 4, Japan (reference, Google Earth)
Figure 5, USA (reference, Google Earth)
Japan started to update their railways after the defeat of the Second World War to improve the post war economy. They were the first to implement a High Speed Train, starting to build the Hokkaido Line of the Shinkansen (1959-1964). It connects the cities of Tokyo and Osaka, a 320 miles of a trip in just 3 hours.
Figure 6, Inauguration of the Shinkansen, Sept. 1964
Figure 7, Shinkansen, Japan (reference, japan-guide.com)
After the Second World War, the USA was placed as the First World potential The economic extravaganza of the victory of the war encouraged the families to acquire properties in the suburbs and to have at least one car. They encouraged the construction of highways from coast to coast for civil and military purposes.
Figure 8, Levittown, NY (reference, NY Times)
Figure 9, Parking lot, USA
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However, after the Yon Kippur War in 1973, the Arabian countries members of the OPEC, imposed an oil embargo to the US and their allies.
Figure 10, Line to get fuel in the USA (reference, BBC News)
The Oil Crisis affected the economy limiting the use of gasoline to go to work and the electricity expenses had to be reduced. The price of the gallon raised up from 38 cents in May 1973 to 55 cents in June of 1974. The reliance of the fuel started the first energy crisis and start to think in alternatives methods of transportation. Finally, the OPEC finished the embargo in 1974.
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After the development of the car, cities were being started to be designed for the car, and the pedestrian was left in a second priority. With the Oil Crisis, it was not reliable the use of the car to travel the city. Figure 11, Traffic Jam in China, 2010 (reference: Daily Mail newspaper)
Figure 12, Traffic jam, 65 de Infantería Avenue, Río Piedras, PR
Traffic jams 1. Lose of time and money 2. Pollution 3. Increases stress levels 4. Local economy decreases Cities loose attraction for the commerce. Increases accidents Urban sprawl
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The Postmodern architecture emphasize the use of public transportation system to revitalize pedestrian zones. There is an boom in the historical centers to save the constructed patrimony.
Figure 13, Centre Historic Ripoll, Catalonia (reference, Comas-Pont Architectes)
A pedestrian Old San Juan starts to be considered in the 1960’s Another plans between 1984 and 1985 also emerges, but just to habilitates more and better spaces for parking. Multistoried parking lots and trolleys are started to be built.
Figure 14, Pedestrian Mall and services schedules, San Francisco St., 1964 GPSJ
Figure 15, construction of the Doña Fela’s Parking lot, 1964.
Figure 16, Buses, Chile
Not all the systems are equals. It depends on their performance and the need of transportation Divided into 5 categories.
Figure 17, bus stop closed with A/C Dubai
Figure 18, buses in Curitiba, Brazil (Reference: http://noticiasarquitecturablog.blogspot.com/
Central Business Distric distributor Intra-urban rapid transit Urban-suburban rapid transit Conurban high speed ground transit Special sevice transit
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Frequent service, for distances out of the walking range. The same service should be available at any hour, from the peak flow traffic as in regular schedule.
Figure 19, Trolley, San Juan, PR
The cars shouldn’t be coupled into trains. Boarding and alighting must be simple and fast. Low speed, multiple stops, and no fare should be charged for the service Figure 20, Trolley Colegial
Figure 21, Transmilenio bus, Bogotá, Colombia.
It connects the most important district with satellites centers and high density dormitory communities. A maximum length of travel should be between 10 and 15 miles. The most important thing, it can’t delay more than 30 minutes.
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It has a specification of performance depending in the distances and stops, and the minimum time required. A limitation of 20 minutes to travel 10 miles gives an average speed of 30 mph.
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It requires high speeds and it is used for long trips. Seats should be more comfortable to compensate the large distances.
Figure 22, Tren Urbano, San Juan, PR (reference, Noticel.com)
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Figure 23, ACELA Express, US
High speed trains that goes from a city center to another city center, at an average speed of more than 100 mph. Interiors must be comfortable and equipped with food and beverages, and toilets facilities.
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Figure 24, a van and a mini van
Used to connect the different systems mentioned earlier. Are those that provides private services, and have some inconvenience or cost. Typically used in airports and recreational centers.
Bad design Delays Politics Money (mostly because of the local commerce that opposes pedestrian-like cities)
A public transportation system increases the economy (better performance of travel and work time). Reduction of pollution Social aspects I. Decreases poverty II. Decreases accidents III. Health benefits (reduction of exposition to pollutions and more physical activity.
The city of Bogotá has a population of 6.4 millions of habitants. The system’s construction starts in 1998. 1 million of cars transport 19%of the population, and 30,000 buses transport 72% of the population. Use of alternative mobility, integrating bicycles, and the use of these increased as a transportation method from 1% in 1995 to 4% today. Had created jobs (almost 95% in the private sector), and incomes near the US$100 millions to the formal economy of the city and the country.
It decreases an 89% of deaths in accidents. It decreases a 40% of pollution. It decreases the travel time a 32% (Savings of an average 14. minutes). High productivity, with near 750,000 passengers per day. A bus of the Transmilenio Service can carry 160 passengers, like 130 cars.
Figure 25, webpage of Transmilenio http://www.transmilenio.gov.co
Tren Urbano The best train, the most secure and efficient in the USA, according to the FTA. An efficiency rate of 99.6% There has been an increase of passenger up to 20% last year.
Figure 26, newspaper article, El Nuevo Día, September 24, 2011
Figure 27, Horse pulled tramway, Mayagüez, beggining XX century
Mayaguez had the first urban trolley in Puerto Rico, since 1875 up to the 1930’s. There were three companies of tramways that connected the port to the city.
According to the City’s web page, they have 3 trolleys. As of today, only 1 remains operant… for a city with a population of less than 100,000 people.
Figure 28, Mayagüez’s Trolley (reference,http://www.mayaguez.pr
Figure 28, Metro Urbano (Reference, DTOP)
Figure 29, rute for the Metro Urbano, (referencia, DTOP)
Metro Urbano will impact the region of Arecibo, Dorado, Toa Baja,Vega Alta, Vega Baja, Manatí and other towns, connecting them with the Bayamón area and the Tren Urbano. An investment of $76,314,000.00, it will benefit near 350,000 people and it will create near 990 direct and indirect jobs. The first phase should be complete for October 2012.
Unique in US and PR, it will connect Las catalinas Mall, Plaza Centro and Cupey. It will reduce the travel time between Caguas and San Juan in more that 50%. It costs US$400 millions. The first phase will be completed on December 2011 Figure 30, Caguas’Mayor showing the plans for the magnetic train. (reference: El Vocero Newspaper)
In design phase, it should be completed in 2014. It will connect the Sagrado Corazón’s Terminal of the Tren Urbano, the Convention’s District and Old San Juan.
Figure 31, Recreation of San Juan’s Light Train (reference: San Juan City).
The cities that invest in a public transportation system will improve their life quality and will foment the economic growth. A significant reduction of pollution. The new technology and the current energy crisis are promoting new and more efficient transportation methods.
An educational campaign about the use of public transportation systems. Developing the adequate infrastructure to be more attractive and comfortable the public transportation system’s use. Invest in an adequate system in short and long term. Massive support of the different citizen and professional groups so that the government improve the quality of life in the cities.
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Thank you for your attention