Mass Transit
Mass transit is a transportation service available to the public for trips generally within metropolitan areas. As with all transportation services, an energy source is a critical input in the production of mass transit trips. Almost all of this energy consumption is derived from burning fossil fuels, a process that emits pollutants affecting human health, visibility, vegetation, and climate change. Transit service is increasingly being scrutinized for its pollutant emissions. Mass transit facilitates travel within densely developed, large urban areas. Because of the existence of mass transit, more intense development within an urban area can occur. Higher-density land use may enable reduced energy consumption when considering the settlement area as a whole.
Forms of Mass Transit
The term "mass transit" generally refers to passenger vehicles that are common carriers in urban areas, as distinct from intercity travel. The terms "public transit" or simply "transit" also are frequently used. The major types of public transit are bus (rubber-tired vehicles), rail (running on tracks), and ferryboat. Within each type there are several subcategories.
Motor Bus
A rubber-tired, self-propelled transit vehicle using an internal combustion engine for power. Most use direct-ignition (diesel) engines, but gasoline, propane, natural gas, and other fuels are used as well.
This is a free page. This page contains 201 words. This
article contains 4,357 words (approx. 15 pages at 300
words per page).
Read the rest of this Article with our Mass Transit Access Pass.
