Back in the day, city streets were filled with horse-drawn carts, wagons, carriages, and even buses. Unsurprisingly, the streets were also covered in horse droppings, making them unpleasant and unsanitary. As early motorcars emerged, they provided a solution to this messy problem. Cars occupied less space on city streets compared to horse-drawn vehicles and required less maintenance and feeding.
At first, both carriages and cars were only accessible to the wealthy, but the introduction of mass production by companies like Oldsmobile and Ford made private cars more affordable. Suburbs began to appear, serviced by electric street railways and trams, and people started to see the benefits of living outside the city with the convenience of their own vehicles.
As motor vehicles replaced horse-drawn vehicles, blacksmiths transformed into repair shops, roads were paved, and gas stations emerged. Private car use continued to rise throughout the 20th century, resulting in increased road congestion, especially in and around cities.
Toronto, in particular, struggles with traffic congestion, with residents having some of the longest commutes in North America. The cost of traffic congestion in Toronto is estimated to be billions of dollars annually, impacting both commuters and the economy. This problem is not unique to Toronto, as traffic congestion is a nationwide issue, costing the Canadian economy an estimated $166 billion per year.
Cars have become increasingly comfortable and resemble living rooms, equipped with massaging seats and high-quality sound systems. However, building more roads or widening existing ones has proven ineffective in solving traffic problems. Instead, cities like Singapore, London, Milan, and Stockholm have implemented congestion charges and limited parking to combat urban traffic congestion.
The evolution of urban transportation has transformed the way we travel and the way we live. As congestion continues to plague cities worldwide, effective solutions are needed to ensure efficient and sustainable transportation systems for the future.
Definitions:
– Mass production: The production of large quantities of goods using standardized processes and machinery.
– Suburbs: Residential areas located outside the central city, often characterized by single-family homes and a lower population density.
– Trams: Trains running on tracks, typically used for urban transportation.
– Blacksmiths: Skilled tradesmen who work with iron, making and repairing metal objects.
– Congestion charge: A fee imposed on vehicles entering a designated area, often the city center, during peak hours.
Sources:
– Original article by Stephen Butler: https://www.countylive.ca/how-we-travelled-from-horse-drawn-carts-to-compelled-cars/
– INRIX: https://inrix.com/
– Canadian Trucking Alliance: https://truckingalliance.ca/
– The Economist: https://www.economist.com/
– Image source: Unsplash.com