THE "CIVIL MINIMUM" AND URBAN TRANSPORTATION

The "civil minimum" is an extension of the idea that every citizen is entitled to a minimum standard of living, which is guaranteed by the japanese constitution. At the civic level, it sets standards of pollution, road and pedestrian safety, traffic control, housing, and public transport. The city of tokyo has had difficulty achieving a civil minimum in transportation, as many factors are not in its control. Bus transport in the city is under direct control of the ministry of transport. Control of roads is vested at five different levels. Rail services are divided among japan national railways, the subway corporation, seven private companies, and a small municipal undertaking. The rapid transit systems carry the bulk of commuters, but under severely cramped conditions, and at slower than possible speeds, due to congestion. The civil minimum for subway capacity is proposed as twice official capacity soon, and 1.5 times by 1985. Population growth will likely make such improvement impossible. Bus services make heavy losses, and carry only 10% of trips in the area, compared with 52% by train. Bus lanes are being installed to improve speeds. A civil minimum is proposed, that commuting time (door-to-door) should not be more than one hour. Standards are also proposed for automobile accidents and engine emissions. Narrow streets would be car-free, more signals would be installed, pedestrian ways segregated from roads, vehicle standards improved, automatic traffic control extended, etc. /TRRL/

• Corporate Authors:

  Toyota Motor Sales Company, Limited

  3-18, 2-chome, Kudan-Minami, Chiyoda-ku
  Tokyo 102,   Japan 
• Authors:
  • HIROOKA, H
• Publication Date: 1971

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Photos;
• Pagination: p. 24-27
• Serial:
  • WHEEL EXTENDED
  • Volume: 1
  • Issue Number: 2

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Air quality management; Bus lanes; Bus transportation; Buses; Crashes; Highway transportation; Legislation; Level of service; Pedestrians; Population growth; Public transit; Railroad transportation; Railroads; Rapid transit; Standard of living; Transportation; Travel time; Urban areas; Urban transportation
• Geographic Terms: Japan
• Old TRIS Terms: Railway
• ITRD Terms: 1643: Accident; 1272: Bus; 8053: Japan; 1556: Legislation; 653: Level of service; 1054: Network (traffic); 1733: Pedestrian; 744: Public transport; 313: Urban area
• Subject Areas: Economics; Planning and Forecasting; Safety and Human Factors; Society; Transportation (General); I72: Traffic and Transport Planning;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00125592
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL)
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Apr 7 1976 12:00AM