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Journal Article · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1977 · Environment; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/00139157.1977.9928625· OSTI ID:5193798

Rosenthal, B

Buses offer distinct flexibility over fixed-track transit systems for urban travel. However, contrary to popular belief, it does not necessarily follow that buses can substitute effectively for passenger cars and can, therefore, satisfy the present needs of urban travel. Nor can one conclude without careful study that buses would make a significant contribution to energy conservation. The numbers of automobiles and vehicle-miles traveled and the amount of fuel consumed have doubled every twenty years in the past. At this rate of growth, the fuel consumption of automobiles will exceed 130 billion gallons per year by 1990. In contrast, bus transportation's growth is expected to be less than 1 percent by that time unless it is subsidized by the federal government. Studies show that the car overshadows the bus by about 93 percent to 5 percent of total urban passenger trips. The Department of Transportation is spending about $28 million per year on research to develop bus technology in an attempt to reverse past negative growth trends. It is possible however that the greatest fuel savings can be achieved by design and use of energy-efficient automobiles rather than by substitution of buses for automobiles.

• OSTI ID: 5193798
• Journal Information: Environment; (United States), Journal Name: Environment; (United States) Vol. 19:5; ISSN ENVTA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320203* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Transportation-- Land & Roadway
AUTOMOBILES
BUSES
ENERGY CONSERVATION
ENERGY CONSUMPTION
FUEL CONSUMPTION
TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS
URBAN AREAS
VEHICLES