Transportation
In the Upstate, most of us rely on the automobile for transportation. Although alternative options are extremely limited, transportation is about more than cars—it is trolleys, buses, bicycles, trains, and even feet. A cohesive, well-planned, multi-modal transportation network benefits all segments of the population through decreased traffic congestion, reduced air and water pollution, and a diminished reliance on non-renewable resources. Offering convenient transportation choices can accommodate the variety of needs within the Upstate, from tourists who want to visit our downtowns without renting a car, to elderly residents who cannot drive themselves to the store, to children on their way to school, to workers who want to read while commuting to the office, to those who do not own a car.
The Daily Upstate Commute |
County |
Mean Travel
TimeTo Work |
Minutes |
Rank in State
(shortest to longest) |
Anderson |
23.7 |
*12 |
Greenville |
21.6 |
3 |
Greenwood |
20.2 |
1 |
Laurens |
23.6 |
11 |
Oconee |
23.3 |
*9 |
Pickens |
24 |
**14 |
Spartanburg |
22.5 |
5 |
South Carolina |
24.3 |
|
*2-way tie **3-way tie |
In order to investigate and determine the best options for the Upstate, we must reexamine standard transportation practices. While automobiles may always represent the greatest portion of our transportation network, we should ask ourselves important questions about how streets and vehicles are designed. Are cul-de-sacs the optimal street design for new neighborhoods, or do streets built in a grid offer more benefits in terms of connectivity? Do wider roads truly help decrease traffic congestion in the long-term? Should we create a network of greenways and bike paths that connect subdivisions, schools, stores, offices and other destinations? Should roads be designed only for cars, or can we find ways to build new roads and retrofit current roads with bike lanes? Should transportation dollars be spread more widely to research alternative energy sources? Should we give tax breaks to people who ride bikes?
 And let us not overlook other transportation possibilities. Imagine one day that an intercity rail network links the cities of the Upstate, as well as Atlanta, Charlotte, and Columbia. You hop aboard a train in Easley and disembark in Spartanburg. A downtown trolley takes you to a meeting, lunch, and then to the park, where you rent a bicycle and spend the rest of the day on the trails.
Land use decisions have a tremendous influence on whether a  transportation system operates smoothly. Comprehensive planning is an essential tool in determining the best location for new development based not only on available land area, but also on available transportation choices. For example, schools are often built in remote areas, but such locations can cause students to spend too long on buses and eliminate any opportunity of walking to school. Houses in low-density neighborhoods are too distant from train and bus stations to support mass transit.
Making the transition from an automobile-dependent region won’t be easy. Local officials, county/city departments, and planners must communicate openly to ensure that our communities are developed in a pattern that meets our shared goals of safe transportation for all, greater community character, environmental protection and fiscal responsibility.
 See also these sections of our website:
TND
Active Living
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