Create a form of transportation that could be used in Pittsburgh and the surrounding areas in the year 2068. For an idea of how methods of moving people have changed over time, see the interactive transportation timeline!
Consider the following questions and incorporate the answers into the design for your future transportation. *All designs must be public transportation!
1. Who will ride it and where will it take them? (Think about the trends of people moving from rural to urban areas or suburbs. Where will the majority of people live in 2068? Also, consider economic growth and job development. What kinds of jobs will people have in 2068?)
2. What is the power/fuel source? (Think about environmental factors and sustainability.)
3. How does it fit into the geographic landscape of Pittsburgh? (Think about natural elements like hills and rivers as well as manmade elements such as bridges and tunnels.)
4. What materials is it made from? (Think about natural resources or man-made. Consider environmental impact and sustainability.)
Not every new form of transportation is successful! In Pittsburgh, the Skybus concept was proposed as an innovative rapid transit system – a rubber-tired vehicle guided automatically along an elevated roadway. While the project did not move beyond the test phase in Pittsburgh, much of the technology developed for the Skybus project has been used in airport people mover systems around the world.
We’re always thinking of ways to improve transportation. Here are some more ideas:
• Hyperloop
• Pittsburgh gondolas/cable cars
• Post-modern skateboard with no board
Bonus Round:
Oh no! Pittsburgh looks a little different in the future. Select a new geographical landscape for Pittsburgh and challenge yourself to create a future transportation design specifically for the new environmental conditions.
- Tundra
- Jungle
- Underwater
- Desert
- Forest
- Wetland