The fast-paced nature of urban life is not for everyone, and even those of us who love cosmopolitan cities can use a break sometimes. We anticipate that the smart urban planning of the future will prevent excessive sprawl, preserving open space and ensuring no one lives far from the countryside. But currently, transportation shortages make many rural areas extremely challenging to access and navigate, limiting economic opportunities for residents and inflicting stress on travelers.
The most scenic rural areas (such as Yosemite, the Grand Canyon, and Cape Cod) attract millions of visitors per year. Large numbers of tourists create congestion challenges comparable to those cities contend with, but many areas do little to address the resulting travel delays. To ensure these locations remain pristine national jewels, transportation solutions similar to those we advocate for in cities are necessary. Workers and visitors should be able to travel to these locations via high-quality rail or intercity bus routes and have access to frequent, reliable regional transit once they arrive.
In all areas -- urban or rural, national park or roadside town -- individuals should be able to choose their modes of travel. While some residents may choose to own and drive cars, flexible fixed route buses, demand response vans, and readily available taxis can also provide substantial connectivity in lightly populated areas, facilitating easy access to workplaces and other life needs. Networks of safe bike paths and pedestrian trails complementing these transit options could help further enhance connectivity, diversifying mobility choices for residents and allowing visitors to experience the idyllic, peaceful countryside they imagine.
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