Urban planning and design can address issues of public transportation accessibility by:
1. Transit-oriented development: This involves designing neighborhoods and development projects in locations that are easily accessible by public transportation, specifically near transit stations. This can increase public transportation usage and decrease dependence on private vehicles.
2. Street design and Bike lanes: The creation of bike lanes and pedestrian-friendly sidewalks can improve accessibility for people to access public transport. Accessibility improvements can also be made through measures such as safe and convenient crosswalks, wider sidewalks, and curb cuts.
3. Public transport service: Governments can also improve accessibility by managing traffic and controlling car usage. This can be achieved through street closures, bicycle sharing schemes, improving public transport routes and frequency and reducing the overall speed of traffic.
4. Technology and Application: Technology improvements can also aid in making public transport more reachable and accessible. Governments can develop robust traveler information and updated systems, schedule trackers in apps and use RFID or contactless smart payments to make it easier for people to pay and enter public transportation.
5. Partnership and collaboration: Urban planning and design initiatives can often require input and collaboration from many stakeholders, including public transport providers, private sector industries and citizens. It is important to work collaboratively with these partners to achieve a framework that benefits all parties involved.
Overall, urban planning and design can play a crucial role in improving public transportation accessibility to reduce congestion, enhance mobility, and improve the quality of life for people within our societies.
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