When it comes to transportation, people prioritize convenience. Whether taking a two-hour flight instead of a ten-hour drive or utilizing public buses rather than walking, convenience drives pedestrians’ and commuters’ decisions. 

In New York City, amidst its bustling streets and sprawling transit network, a less spoken narrative exists. While the city brings in dreamers, creatives, and those with amazing ambitions, it also chases away a vital community that makes up its boroughs—people with visual and physical disabilities.

The numbers tell a sobering story:

Railway accessibility refers to the ease with which people can use the railway system, particularly those with disabilities or mobility issues. Ensuring that railways are accessible and approachable allows people with disabilities to travel independently and feel welcomed in society. Accessibility makes public transport more convenient for everyone, and it can improve public health by promoting active modes of transport such as walking and strolling.

Want to bike across the United States from east to west or west to east? Now, you can with the aid of the Great American Rail-Trail, a pathway that stretches 3,700 miles (6,000 km) across 12 states that will serve bikers, hikers, and riders.

Throughout the pandemic, bike paths and hiking trails regained their standing within society as an important and invaluable recreation option. Moreover, biking and walking were rated higher and higher for commutes with individuals who didn’t want the close confines of public transportation.

A wheelchair can mean the ticket to independence for some individuals, but the regular built environment is rarely arranged in a way that is easily navigable by individuals using wheelchairs. Beyond the built environment, social interactions can cause an extra strain on those who rely on wheelchairs as their primary mode of mobility. These social and infrastructural barriers impede the lives of wheelchair users every day.

The development of larger cities grew exponentially in the past fifty years, leaving us with rapidly built cities that have given too little thought to the disabled members of their population. Now is the time to reassess how to be more inclusive in the built environment so that people of all abilities and diversity experience a living environment that meets their needs.

The Arizona State Transportation Board finalized and approved the 2022-2026 Five-Year Transportation Facilities Construction Program with plans for major corridor improvements, pavement upgrades, and more for highways. The next five years will include highway improvements from widening highways to improving safety that will cost $1 billion annually.

To serve the community of individuals with disabilities, many state and local governments and some private companies have established paratransit transportation options. Paratransit transportation is meant to supplement public fixed-route bus and rail systems for individuals with severe impairments. From a taxi-like service to a semi-defined route, paratransit services often have varying levels of flexibility.

One result of population growth within cities is something called urban expansion, which is the unrestricted growth of housing, businesses, and roads without any specific planning. Urban expansion influences cities’ social and environmental dynamics, causing a number of disadvantages, including longer commutes, higher transportation costs, pollution, and loss of countryside.

When it comes to climate change, the most offending contributor to the increasing carbon emissions is the transportation industry. From cars to trains to planes, Americans love their independence and ability to travel on a whim. Data shows that vehicle miles have increased to 1.58 trillion during the first half of 2018, and researchers believe that airline travel will double over the next two decades.