**Mass Transit 1ac 1ac – economy advantage
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- Urban sprawl accentuates income disparities
- Sprawl – Car Accidents Add-On
- Auto accidents are a significant cause of death kill more per year than war
- Sprawl – Car Accidents Impacts
- Pedestrian deaths account for 12% of all traffic fatalities
- Extreme Physical and Emotional Effects Due to Car Accidents
- Lifetime costs of crash-related deaths and injuries amount to $70 billion.
- Distracted driving is responsible for thousands of deaths
Sprawl – Rich-Poor GapMass transit unites communities and reduces the rich-poor gapGordon, 11 – Economic Analyst at Charles River Associates (Michael, “Funding Urban Mass Transit in the United States”, Boston College Economics Honor’s Thesis, http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2007981, p. 6, 3-23-11)//AWV In addition to these economic and convenience considerations, urban mass transit also has health and safety benefits, and environmental and energy benefits.1 Moreover, it can help strengthen communities. As Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) General Manager Dr. Beverly Scott noted about the importance of urban mass transit: “It’s what the transit is doing in communities and doing in terms of helping people build their lives...It is about what it enables people and communities to be able to do.”2 By serving lower income areas, urban mass transit provides an important service to major cities by creating a link between these areas and other parts of the city, where the lower-income residents can find employment. Many of the poorer urban areas cannot provide jobs for the residents, while other urban areas do not have residents nearby to fill the demand for lower- income jobs. There is a simple employment mismatch here that requires some form of transportation for lower-income residents to commute to work. Many of the jobs available lie beyond walking distance, and the lower incomes limit transportation options. Urban mass transit fills this void by offering transportation at relatively low fares. However, addressing this equity concern requires the public systems to keep fares low enough for these citizens. Urban sprawl accentuates income disparitiesSu 2006 doctorate from the University of South Florida, College of Business Administration, Department of Economics(Qing “The Effect of Transportation Subsidies on Urban Sprawl”, USF graduate school theses and dissertations, http://scholarcommons.usf.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3715&context=etd)//DD Urban sprawl has several consequences that are widely criticized by economists. Generally speaking, so-called scattered, untimely, and unplanned urban development often occurs in urban fringe and rural areas, invading lands important to the environment for its open space and rich in natural resources (Nelson and Foster 1999, Brueckner 2000). Other consequences of urban sprawl are the dominance of the private automobiles for transportation and the large income disparities between city and suburbs (Downs 1999, Brueckner 2000). Additionally, unfettered urban growth contributes to the decay of downtown areas, for it lowers developers’ incentive to redevelop land closer to the central cities and lowers the tax base of central cities. Sprawl – Car Accidents Add-OnMass transit reduces the number of accidents significantlyArizona PIRG Education Fund, 2009 “a federation of independent, state-based, citizen-funded organizations that advocate for the public interest.”(“Why and How to Fund Public Transportation”, march 2009, http://www.uspirg.org/sites/pirg/files/reports/Why-and-How-to-Fund-Public-Transportation.pdf)//DD The Bureau of Transportation Statistics estimates that motor vehicles cause over 40,000 accidental deaths and almost 3 million injuries each year.11 By contrast, less than 300 deaths annually take place on public transit.12 Using conservative estimates to quantify these costs in financial terms, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in 2002 estimated an average social cost from accidents totally 15.8 cents per vehicle mile or 4.3 percent of GDP.13 Substituting driving with public transit tends to reduce death and injuries because transit is safer.14 Rail and buses have lower crash risk per-passenger-trip because professional drivers tend to have lower crash rates and total vehicle traffic is reduced. Bus passengers have about one-tenth the per-mile crash fatality rate as automobile passengers. Rail passengers have a rate of risk about one-quarter that of drivers — higher than bus because of generally higher speeds. More compact communities have far lower crash and fatality rates than less compact communities. Auto accidents are a significant cause of death kill more per year than warGrescoe 12 - writer, frequent contributor to the NYT, the Independent, and National Geographic, (Taras, Straphanger: Saving our Cities and Ourselves from the Automobile) You would be hard pressed to track down the name of the latest victim: in the last minute alone, two humans somewhere on the planet have had their lives cut short by cars. Year in, year out, automobiles kill 1.2 million people around the world, and injure 20 million. It is a hecatomb equivalent to a dozen fully loaded jumbo jets crashing every day, with no survivors, yet one so routine the majority of fatalities go unreported—as though being crushed by glass and metal had become just another of death’s “natural causes”. War, in comparison, is an inefficient scourge of the human race: among people aged ten to twenty four, the automobile long ago beat out armed conflict as the leading cause of death. Sprawl – Car Accidents ImpactsCars cause accidents, pollution deaths, social isolationGrescoe 12 - writer, frequent contributor to the NYT, the Independent, and National Geographic, (Taras, Straphanger: Saving our Cities and Ourselves from the Automobile) A case against the automobile can be built purely on the grounds of public health. In spite of improvements in emissions standards, pollution from automobiles still kills 30,000 Americans a year. Car ownership has been proven to make you fat and lazy; a survey of drivers in Atlanta found that each additional hour spent in a car per day was associated with a 6 percent increase in obesity. (In 1969, when half of American children got to school by foot or bicycle, childhood obesity rates sat at 14 percent. Today, when 84 percent of children are driven to school, 45 percent of American kids are considered overweight or obese.) Time spent in a car is also robustly correlated with social isolution: evry ten minutes spent in daily commuting cuts involvement in community affairs by 10 percent. Americans spend so much time in their cars that drivers have significantly higher rates of skill cancer on the left side of their bodies. Pedestrian deaths account for 12% of all traffic fatalitiesGovernors Highway Safety Association, 11-(“New Study: Progress in Reducing Pedestrian Deaths Lags in 2010”, 1/20/11, http://www.ghsa.org/html/media/pressreleases/2011/20110120_ped.html)//LP WASHINGTON, D.C.—A report released today by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) reveals that pedestrian fatalities increased during the first six months of 2010. While the increase is small – 0.4 percent – it is notable because overall traffic fatalities during this period were significantly down, and this comes on the heels of four straight years of steady declines in pedestrian deaths. The new report – Spotlight on Safety: Pedestrian Traffic Fatalities by State – is the first state-by-state look at pedestrian fatalities for 2010 and was completed by Dr. James Hedlund, an independent researcher, formerly with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Dr. Hedlund surveyed GHSA members, who reported preliminary fatality numbers for every state. For the first six months of 2010, pedestrian fatalities increased by seven, from 1,884 to 1,891. If the second six months of 2010 also show no significant change, this will be the first year of increase or no progress after four years of decline. Pedestrian traffic fatalities dropped from 4,892 in 2005 to 4,091 in 2009, an average decline of 200 each year. While the slight increase may not seem particularly alarming, it is a concern given that during this same period overall traffic fatalities declined eight percent, according to the preliminary estimate from the NHTSA. A growing national focus on walkable communities and “get moving” health and fitness efforts may cause pedestrian exposure, and thus risk, to increase. GHSA Chairman Vernon F. Betkey Jr. notes, “Nationally, pedestrian fatalities account for about 12 percent of overall traffic deaths, a small but significant portion. Given that we have made so much progress in this area, GHSA is concerned to see this reversal. One factor may be the increased distractions for both pedestrians and drivers. Anyone who travels in a busy city has seen countless pedestrians engrossed in conversation or listening to music while crossing a busy street. Just as drivers need to focus on driving safely, pedestrians need to focus on walking safely – without distractions.” Extreme Physical and Emotional Effects Due to Car AccidentsProner ’09- (Mitchell, “The Effects of A Car Crash”, Proner and Proner, 1/08/09 http://www.prolaw1.com/blog/2009/01/08/the-effects-of-a-car-accident-46922)//sp As the leading cause of death of individuals under the age of 34, car accidents account for over 40,000 deaths annually and costs 150 billion dollars a year. However, there is a not so hidden cost to the tragedy of an auto accident that cannot be weighed on any financial scale. The cost is the burden that comes from trying to pick up the pieces in the aftermath of an auto collision. Victims suffer After a car accident a person who has been grievously injured has to adjust to a life of pain and rehabilitation as they progress towards normalcy. Some sufferers may never be able to return to their former way of life or even work again. These facts can create a tremendous drain on the psyche of the individual who is suffering from damage to both their body and spirit. Typically, the primary fallout reaction to a debilitating car accident affects several areas of an accident victim’s life the main ones being: Financially – the cost of medical care and associated therapy can put a large dent in a lifetime of savings. This is especially true of brain or spinal cord damage occurred, as long term care can be required to get victims back to self sufficiency. In many cases, this cannot be achieved and the victim of the collision may require a lifetime of medical assistance. Emotionally – With victims of TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) emotional instability can be triggered by brain malfunctions. However, anyone who has been through a horrifying auto wreck will experience a wide range of emotions, from sadness to anger. Mood swings are common among those whose lives have been senselessly altered after an auto accident. Psychologically – this can lead to psychological problems that reach into various aspects of the accident victims lives. Usually this can cause a great disruption within their interpersonal relationships. Some individuals have been fired or even obtained a divorce shortly after their collisions due to mental issues that are hard to work through. Physically – of course, the greatest change can be physical, especially if the person had to amputate a limb or was paralyzed due to the wreck. For those who are brain dead and bed ridden, their limbs could wither and atrophy over the years. Individuals who are aware of their changed state may find themselves depressed and even suicidal. Lifetime costs of crash-related deaths and injuries amount to $70 billion.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 11-(“Motor Vehicle Safety”, Injury Prevention and Control, 10/4/11, http://www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/index.html)//LP Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among those age 5-34 in the U.S.1 More than 2.3 million adult drivers and passengers were treated in emergency departments as the result of being injured in motor vehicle crashes in 2009.2 The economic impact is also notable: the lifetime costs of crash-related deaths and injuries among drivers and passengers were $70 billion in 2005.3 CDC's research and prevention efforts target this serious public health problem. We focus on improving car and booster seat and seat belt use and reducing impaired driving, and helping groups at risk: child passengers, teen drivers, and older adult drivers. CDC also works to prevent pedestrian and bicycle injuries. Distracted driving is responsible for thousands of deathsCenters for Disease Control and Prevention, 11-(“Distracted Driving”, Vehicle Safety, 7/14/11, http://www.cdc.gov/Motorvehiclesafety/Distracted_Driving/index.html)//LP Each day, more than 15 people are killed and more than 1,200 people are injured in crashes that were reported to involve a distracted driver.1 Distracted driving is driving while doing another activity that takes your attention away from driving; these activities can increase the chance of a motor vehicle crash. There are three main types of distraction: •Visual—taking your eyes off the road; •Manual—taking your hands off the wheel; and •Cognitive—taking your mind off what you are doing.2 Distracted driving activities include things like using a cell phone, texting, and eating. Using in-vehicle technologies (such as navigation systems) can also be sources of distraction. While any of these distractions can endanger the driver and others, texting while driving is especially dangerous because it combines all three types of distraction.2 How big is the problem? •In 2009, more than 5,400 people died in crashes that were reported to involve a distracted driver and about 448,000 people were injured.1 •Among those killed or injured in these crashes, nearly 1,000 deaths and 24,000 injuries included cell phone use as the major distraction.1 •The proportion of drivers reportedly distracted at the time of a fatal crash has increased from 7 percent in 2005 to 11 percent in 2009.1 •When asked whether driving feels safer, less safe, or about the same as it did five years ago, more than 1 in 3 drivers say driving feels less safe today. Distracted driving—cited by 3 out of 10 of these drivers—was the single most common reason given for feeling less safe today.3 •A recent CDC analysis examined the frequency of two major distractions—cell phone use and texting—among drivers in the United States and seven European countries (Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, and the United Kingdom). Results of the analysis included the following findings:7 Directory: files files -> Answer True False 2 points Question 2 files -> Integer programming and game theory files -> 4 Integer Programming files -> Bpa vehicle Window Repair Scenario #1 task: Procure vehicle window relacement. 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