288 pages
6 x 9
Transportation expert Jarrett Walker believes that transit can be simple, if we focus on the underlying geometry that all transit systems share. In Human Transit, Revised Edition, he provides the basic tools and critical questions needed to make smarter decisions about designing and implementing services, refreshed with updated information and examples.
The first edition of Human Transit, published in 2011, has become a classic for professionals, advocates, and interested citizens. No other book explains the basic principles of public transit in such lively and accessible prose, all based on a respect for your right to form your own opinion. Walker’s goal is not to make you share his values, but to give you the tools to clarify and advocate for yours.
Walker has updated and expanded the book to deepen its explanations. His ongoing work as a network planning consultant has provided a wealth of new examples, images, and tools. New topics include the problem with specialization; the role of flexible or “demand response” services; how to know when to redesign your network; and responding to tech-industry claims that transit will soon be obsolete. Finally, he has also added a major new section exploring the idea of access to opportunity as a core measure of transit’s success.
Whether you are a professional or a concerned citizen, the revised edition of this accessible guide can help you to achieve successful public transit that will enrich any community.
"To read Human Transit, Revised Edition is to grasp not just what makes an effective bus route or rail line, but to also understand the geometry, economics, and human values that shape cities—and that enhance or diminish them. How we respond to the vital questions in this book will help us address the urgent climate, safety, health, economic, equity, and mobility challenges that cities face."
Janette Sadik-Khan, Principal, Bloomberg Associates, Former Commissioner, NYC Dept. of Transportation
"I read Jarrett’s book in my early days as the Minister for Public Transport, Roads and Road Safety. It has informed my perspective on how transit systems can shape cities and transform the lives of communities and the importance of keeping people front and centre in our decision making. Thank you Jarrett for sharing your expertise and passion for transport planning in your captivating narrative."
Ben Carroll, Deputy Premier, State of Victoria (Melbourne, Australia)
Preface
Introduction
Chapter 1: What Transit Is and Does
Chapter 2: What Makes Transit Useful? Seven Demands and
How Transit Serves Them
Chapter 3: The Wall around Your Life: Access to Opportunity
Chapter 4: A Bunch of Random Strangers: Planning for Diversity
Chapter 5: Lines, Loops, and Longing
Chapter 6: Touching the City: Stops and Stations
Chapter 7: Peak or All Day?
Chapter 8: Frequency Is Freedom
Chapter 9: The Obstacle Course: Speed, Delay, and Reliability
Chapter 10: Ridership or Coverage? The Challenge of Allocating
Service
Chapter 11: Can Fares Be Fair?
Chapter 12: Connections or Complexity?
Chapter 13: From Connections to Networks to Places
Chapter 14: Network Design and Redesign
Chapter 15: Be on the Way! Moral Implications of Location Choice
Chapter 16: On the Boulevard
Chapter 17: Take the Long View
Epilogue: Geometry, Choices, Freedom
Acknowledgments
Notes
Index
About the Author
Join Jarrett Walker as he talks about his new book, Human Transit, Revised Edition and offers guidance to achieve successful public transit that will enrich any community.
Transportation expert Jarrett Walker believes that transit can be simple, if we focus on the underlying geometry that all transit systems share. Jarrett’s gift is being able to break down the basic principles of public transit so that you may have the tools necessary to clarify and advocate for your own values.
In 2011, Jarrett published what became a classic for sustainable transportation advocates, Human Transit. Today, he’s releasing his updated and expanded book to further deepen his initial explanations. The content moves into new territories, such as the problem with specialization; the role of flexible or “demand response” services; how to know when to redesign your network; and responding to tech- industry claims that transit will soon be obsolete. Additionally, a major new section exploring the idea of access to opportunity as a core measure of transit’s success has also been added.
Steven Higashide, author of Better Buses, Better Cities, will moderate the conversation.
Join mass transit expert Jarrett Walker to discuss the new edition and updating of his widely influential book, Human Transit. The recently released book has many new and substantially rewritten chapters on the many radical changes in cities and transportation over the last dozen years and how they impact transit.
This webinar is available for 1 AICP continuing education credit if viewed live as well as 1 CNU-A continuing education credit if viewed live or recorded.
Brought to you by The Congress for New Urbanism.