Abstract
Transportation systems are a fundamental component of how cities function and shape how people move and interact within urban spaces. These systems are inherently complex and are made up of multiple interconnected modes, such as automobiles, buses, trains, bicycles, and pedestrians, which all require dedicated infrastructure to efficiently and safely operate. However, in many cities in the United States, transportation planning has historically prioritized car-centric infrastructure at the expense of other modes of travel. This raises an important question about how infrastructure decisions are made, and what factors influence the prioritization of alternative transportation systems. To understand this, it is crucial to not only have a technical perspective but also to examine the broader social and cultural influences at play that altogether shape the development of transportation networks.
My Capstone project addresses this question on a local scale through the design of a pedestrian and bicycle bridge over US Route 29 in Charlottesville, VA. This project was originally proposed in the 2018 SMART SCALE application, which aimed to connect the commercial centers that were divided by the highway. US-29 formerly posed as a significant barrier to pedestrians and cyclists, and the bridge’s main purpose would allow for a safe and accessible connection. Through the project’s deliverables, my team designed a bridge that aligned with the Virginia Department of Transportation and local agencies’ goal of improving walkability and multimodal access by prioritizing safety, functionality, and cost-effectiveness. The deliverables of this project, which were developed using CAD software and a series of calculations and iterations, consist of: general bridge design shown through plan, profile, and section drawings; erosion and sediment control plans; maintenance of traffic sheets; structural design and drawings; and finally, a construction schedule and preliminary cost estimate. Altogether, the technical project is a local example of ways in which a city can offer alternative transportation infrastructure to cars that is more accessible.
While the Capstone project focuses on a specific engineering solution, my STS research paper tackles this question on a broader scale, examining the sociocultural factors that influence transportation infrastructure in cities. The paper aims to determine how car-centric culture affects the development of public transit systems in U.S. cities and their associated implications, while arguing that this relationship is bidirectional. To do this, I analyzed five cities and gathered statistics for variables such as commuter travel behavior, vehicles per household, transit funding, roadway infrastructure, and rail station availability, which represent both car-centric culture and transit infrastructure. I later compared them to analyze trends, before finally conducting a brief literature review of the implications of transit vs. car infrastructure in cities. The findings showed strong trends between variables that are compared with transit infrastructure, while all trends highlight the existing bi-directional relationship, also explained by the concept of mutual shaping. Understanding this relationship is critical since there are significant implications of the implementation of transit infrastructure. The literature review found that cities with larger transit systems experience reduced emissions, lower transit-related costs for commuters, less traffic congestion, and greater accessibility. Ultimately, to reap the benefits of transit infrastructure, it is crucial that cities have a deep understanding of the complex relationship between infrastructure, behavior, and cultural norms.
Together, the Capstone project and the STS research paper highlight that transportation challenges must be addressed as part of a complex sociotechnical system. The multimodal bridge in Charlottesville is simply one aspect of the larger transportation system that is a result of the social and cultural context in which it resides. Therefore, it is crucial to have an understanding of both engineering design and the broader environment to create more sustainable and accessible cities.
