Transportation Trends for 2017

As we move into a new year, there will be plenty of new trends and technologies to look for over the coming months. Here are some of the top transportation trends to look for in 2017.

1. Pedestrian and Bicycle Roads

Road and pathways made specifically for scooters, cyclists, pedestrians and other alternative forms of commuting are popping up all over the country. Major cities like Atlanta, Seattle and Los Angeles are in the process of approving infrastructure that will create more spaces for people who want to avoid using their cars to commute. These pathways will make alternative modes of transportation faster, easier and safer.

2. More Intracity Public Transportation

Places with existing subways, metros and trains will be expanding their stops and locations this year. New York City just opened a new subway line after decades of work, and the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) is preparing to launch phase two of the project, which will extend the line by 1.6 miles. BART in San Francisco is expanding, and will also roll out quieter trains later this year. In Charlotte, new additions to the Light Rail will add over 9 miles of track and 11 new stations, doubling the system’s current size. Even places that don’t have existing train lines are adding rapid bus systems with smarter technology and bus-only lanes.  

3. High Speed Rail

Getting from city to city may be easier starting in 2017. While much of the U.S. hasn’t had a reliable system for train travel in years, new rail lines are popping up across the country, making short trips easier. In South Florida, a new train that will eventually run from Miami to Orlando will open its first leg in 2017 with stops in Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. California is building a high-speed rail system that will extend through much of the state.