The Future of Transportation

Abstract

People travel for work, medical care, food, school, and to escape violence and poverty. How a society organizes transportation shapes opportunities for health and happiness. This chapter analyses how recent changes in capitalism have modified transport options in ways that increase pollution and climate change, encourage physical inactivity, make cities less liveable, and create “transport deserts” where affordable travel is hard to find. Car companies like General Motors, Toyota and Volkswagen have failed to correct defects or cheat on air pollution devices; Uber and Lyft undermine mass transit to grow their businesses; and Big Tech and auto companies promote rapid deployment of inadequately tested autonomous vehicles. These examples show how globalization, deregulation, and the demand for immediate profits have constricted transport options and increased health risks. In response, transport equity advocates, car safety groups, some city officials, and transport workers have organized to create healthier, more equitable transport options.