The Horse as an Urban Technology
Freight and passengers have always needed to be transported in urban areas, even before the advent of motor vehicles. This paper describes the role that horses played in 19th century urban transportation. Although the railroad was efficient at transporting goods and people over long distances, much intracity transport was done through the use of horses. Cities depended on horse for internal freight movement, public transportation, private travel and emergency services. Horses were seen primarily as machines, and their efficiency was closely monitored. However, the emotional and intellectual attributes of horses were somewhat recognized. Horses that did not become nervous from sensory overload were valued, as were horses that could learn routes. Horses had many insurmountable limitations as efficient machines, including externalities such as manure, noise, and short lifespan. When electric streetcars and later motor trucks and cars were developed, the horse quickly became obsolete as a form of urban transportation.
- Record URL:
-
Availability:
- Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/25851022
-
Authors:
- Tarr, Joel A
- McShane, Clay
- Publication Date: 2008-4
Language
- English
Media Info
- Media Type: Print
- Features: Bibliography; Tables;
- Pagination: pp 5-17
-
Serial:
- Journal of Urban Technology
- Volume: 15
- Issue Number: 1
- Publisher: Routledge
- ISSN: 1063-0732
- EISSN: 1466-1853
- Serial URL: https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/cjut20/current
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: 19th century; Freight transportation; History; Horse drawn vehicles; Horses; Modal shift; Passenger transportation; Urban transportation; Urban travel
- Subject Areas: Freight Transportation; Highways; History; Passenger Transportation; Planning and Forecasting; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 01109975
- Record Type: Publication
- Files: TRIS
- Created Date: Aug 31 2008 8:10AM