Political Decisions to Affect Social Behavior
In a LOT of the US cities (surveyed and not surveyed), a base political decision of the elected officials from the Federal level to the city (via grants / transportaiton money and outright mandates)to ensure that all roads are puprosefully clogged in order to push public transporation solutions onto people.
So the Federal dollars are only given to cities funding rail / buses / trolleys / bike paths and not to fix / widen existing roads.
Course they are building solutions based on 19th century styled and built cities that just do not exist anymore where people work within a few miles of factories / offices. To build a Paris style subway around Atlanta where it actually becomes FASTER to use it than drive, would take around 10 years and $500 billion dollars to build. (And i am guessing way low, real life since multiple governments are involved, more like 1.5 Trillion). You would need to do that 20 TIMES in the USA - so 30 TRILLION dollars to build a Paris style subway system that actually works and serves EVERYONE within the city.
