Transportation in Atlanta
This article needs to be updated.(July 2014) |
Atlanta's transportation system is a complex multimodal system serving the city of
Atlanta
Public transit, including the
Background
History
In 1836, the state of Georgia decided to build a railroad to the Midwest and chose as the terminus a location that is now
In late 1962 ATC operated 273 trolleybuses on 39 routes, but they decided to phase them out to avoid the expense and difficulty of replacing the extensive fleet and stringing overhead wires in new service areas.
Meanwhile, national trends towards
Modern trends
Today, Atlanta commuters primarily choose to travel by car. 2022 census estimates show that, of workers commuting within the city, about 68% drove alone, 8% carpooled, and 5% used public transportation.[1] Atlanta has a reputation for bad traffic and has been ranked among the worst cities for commuters.[12] For this reason, some planners and activists have advocated for improved alternatives to driving. Organizations like Propel ATL are calling for better pedestrian and cycling infrastructure and improved transit performance. Projects like the BeltLine are intended to increase access to viable alternatives to driving. In April 2020, the Atlanta Department of Transportation (ATLDOT) committed to developing a Vision Zero action plan to reduce traffic fatalities.[13]
Mass transit
MARTA
Most public transport in Atlanta is operated by the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA). MARTA's system is composed of heavy rail, light rail, and local bus systems. MARTA operates primarily within the boundaries of Fulton, DeKalb, and Clayton counties.
MARTA's heavy rail system operates on 47.6 miles (76.6 km) of elevated, ground-level, and underground tracks. Trains serve 38 stations located on four service lines: the
MARTA's bus system serves a wider area than the rail system, including areas in North Fulton, South DeKalb, and Clayton County. As of 2017, MARTA has 550 diesel and compressed natural gas buses that cover over 101 bus routes.[14] While Cobb County is not part of the system, MARTA operates two bus routes there, one serving Cumberland Boulevard Transfer Center,[16] and the other serving Six Flags Over Georgia. All bus lines stop at at least one heavy rail station.
In addition to the free parking adjacent to many rail stations, MARTA also operates five Park and Ride lots serviced only by bus routes: Windward Parkway, Mansell Road, Goldsmith, Barge Road, South Fulton, and Riverdale. The Panola Road Park and Ride lot is jointly operated with GRTA.
In May 2016, MARTA completed its Comprehensive Operations Analysis, which outlined a series of changes to its service across the system, but primarily focused on changes to the bus network. The analysis proposed a series of frequency changes, realignments, and additional service levels.[17] Starting in 2017, MARTA began implementing these changes. These changes will come both during MARTA's normal scheduled route modification dates, as well as on additional dates as part of the agency's "Fast Track" program.
The
Other transit
Several other localities in the Metro Area operate local bus services. Of these,
Intercity bus services are operated by Megabus and Greyhound Lines, departing from outside the Garnett MARTA station downtown. Amtrak offers daily intercity train service on its Crescent route between New Orleans and New York City.[20]
Roads and freeways
Most Atlantans rely on cars as their primary mode of transportation within the city. As of 2022, as little as 4.5% of commuters chose to use transit to get to work, and 85% of households had access to at least one car.[1][21] Atlanta is well known for its traffic; in 2023 it was found to have 3 of the top 15 biggest trucking bottlenecks in the country (a fourth was located in nearby McDonough),[22] and to be one of the worst for car commuters.[12]
Major highways
Three major
Toll lanes
Peach Pass toll lanes have been introduced as part of the GDOT's Major Mobility Improvement Program (MMIP).[24] The first lanes, opened in 2011 on I-85 in Gwinnett County, were converted from existing HOV (High Occupancy Vehicle) lanes to HOT (High Occupancy Toll) lanes.[25] The second, on I-75 in Henry and Clayton Counties, opened in 2017 as the first fully barrier-separated section.[26] The third, known as the Northwest Corridor, opened in September 2018 on I-75 and I-575 in Cobb and Cherokee Counties.[27] Both of the I-75 facilities are reversible, meaning that the lanes flow towards downtown Atlanta in the morning, and toward the suburbs in the afternoon.
Personal transportation
Pedestrians and cycling
Cycling is a growing mode of transportation in Atlanta, taking 1.1% of all commutes in 2009, up from 0.3% in 2000,[28] and organizations like Propel ATL continue to lobby for increased accessibility to bicyclists.[29] However, heavy automobile traffic, Atlanta's famed hills, the lack of bike lanes on many streets, and difficulty in crossing major streets deter many residents from cycling frequently in Atlanta.[30] The city's transportation plan calls for the construction of 226 miles (364 km) of bike lanes by 2020.[31] The BeltLine which will include multi-use, paved trails, may help the city achieve this goal.[citation needed]
Additional multi-use trails currently being developed throughout Atlanta include the PATH400 and the Peachtree Creek Greenway.
Starting in June 2016, Atlanta received a bike sharing program, known as Relay Bike Share, with 100 bikes in Downtown and Midtown, which expanded to 500 bikes at 65 stations as of April 2017.[32][33]
Air transportation
Situated 10 miles (16 km) south of downtown,
Hartsfield-Jackson is the only airport in metro Atlanta with significant schedule commercial air service. Other airports near Atlanta include
.Current, future and proposed projects
This section needs to be updated.(March 2017) |
Beltline
In July 2012, there was a referendum on a 1-cent sales tax (
Clifton Corridor
The Clifton Corridor is a proposed light rail line which would run from
Rail
There are currently two proposals for railway extensions to the network. The first proposed project involves heavy rail, the current mode used by Marta.[39] The Red Line will be extended from its current terminus at North Springs towards Alpharetta. It would cross over metropolitan route 400 twice. Stops are proposed at Northridge, Holcomb Bridge, Mansell, North Point Mall, Old Milton, and Windward Parkway. Funding is also depending on an $8 billion grant. The second proposal is for commuter rail, a form of rail, though long proposed, currently doesn't operate with Marta. The line extending to Clayton County[40] The line will have stations at East Point (connections to Red and Gold rapid rail lines), Mountainview ( for int. Terminal F) Forest Park, Fort Gillem, Clayton State, Morrow, Southlake and Jonesboro with Justice Center and Lovejoy a later phase. The line is being pitched as commuter rail though what type (EMU, DMU, etc.) is unknown. Agreements are being worked on with Norfolk Southern who owns the track. Rather than a proposed grant, this project would be half government funded, half taxpayer.
See also
- Transport portal
- Georgia (U.S. state) portal
- Plug-in electric vehicles in Georgia (U.S. state) § Atlanta
References
- ^ a b c "S0804 Means of Transportation to Work by Selected Characteristics for Workplace Geography". data.census.gov. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
- ^ Carson, O.E., The Trolley Titans, Interurban Press, Glendale, CA, 1981, p.xi
- ^ Motor Coach Age, pp. 3–29.
- ^ Sebree, Mac; and Ward, Paul (1974). The Trolley Coach in North America, pp. 14–19. Los Angeles: Interurbans. LCCN 74-20367.
- ^ Motor Coach Age, pp. 24–47.
- ISBN 0-904235-18-1.
- ^ Sebree, Mac; and Ward, Paul (1973). Transit's Stepchild: The Trolley Coach, p. 52, 68, 91. Los Angeles: Interurbans. LCCN 73-84356.
- ^ Toon, John D. "Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority". New Georgia Encyclopedia. Georgia Humanities, University of Georgia Press. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
- ^ Kruse, Kevin M. "How Segregation Caused Your Traffic Jam". The New York Times. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
- The Atlanta Journal Constitution. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
- ^ "Historic Context of the Interstate Highway System in Georgi" (PDF). Georgia Department of Transportation. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
- ^ a b Huisache, Sam M. "The Best and Worst Cities for Commuters in 2023". Clever Real Estate. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
- ^ "Vision Zero". Atlanta Department of Transportation. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
- ^ a b "MARTA at a Glance" (website). Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority. August 4, 2017.
- ^ a b c "Train Stations & Schedules". itsmarta.com. Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority. Retrieved August 4, 2017.
- ^ "MARTA's Bus Route 12 will provide extended service to the Cumberland Mall area" (Press release). Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority. November 20, 2006. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved February 24, 2008.
- ^ "Types of Transit Services & Vehicles" (PDF). itsmarta.com. Retrieved August 4, 2017.
- ^ Guillroy, Alison. "MARTA To Take Over Atlanta Streetcar On July 1". 90.1 FM WABE. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
- ^ "Routes". Xpress.com. Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
- National Railroad Passenger Corporation. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
- ^ "S2504 Physical Housing Characteristics for Occupied Housing Units". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
- American Transportation Research Institute. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
- GDOT. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
- ^ "Major Mobility Investment Program". Georgia Department of Transportation. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
- ^ "Georgia's first HOT lanes open to traffic". WSBTV. October 1, 2011.
- ^ Gehlbach, Steve (January 30, 2017). "Georgia's first reversible express lanes open Saturday". WSBTV.
- ^ David Wickert, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "Atlanta traffic: Rush hour a breeze on new toll lanes". ajc.
- ^ "Is Bicycle Commuting Really Catching On? And if So, Where?". Theatlanticcities.com. Retrieved 28 August 2017.
- ^ "About". Propel ATL. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
- ^ "Atlanta's cycling community needs some help". Creative Loafing Atlanta. Retrieved 28 August 2017.
- ^ "Atlanta cycling statistics". Creative Loafing Atlanta. Retrieved 28 August 2017.
- ^ "Atlanta launches first major expansion of Relay Bike Share program". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved April 26, 2017.
- Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved June 12, 2016.
- ^ "THE BUSIEST AIRPORTS OF 2023". oag.com. OAG. Retrieved 26 February 2024.
- ^ "ATL Fact Sheet". atl.com. City of Atlanta. Retrieved 26 February 2024.
- ^ "Delta Invites Customers to Improve Their Handicap with New Service to Hilton Head, Expanded Service to Myrtle Beach". News.delta.com. Retrieved April 5, 2010.
- ^ Hart, Ariel (August 1, 2012). "ajc.com". Atlanta Journal Constitution. Retrieved 2023-10-10.
- ^ "Light Rail Recommended in Emory, CDC Area". Virginia Highland-Druid Hills, GA Patch. March 22, 2012.
- ^ EndPlay (20 July 2015). "MARTA pushing for largest expansion in history". Wsbtv.com. Retrieved 28 August 2017.
- ^ Kahn, Michael (27 July 2015). "MARTA Launches Studies to Bring Rail to Clayton County". Curbed Atlanta. Retrieved 28 August 2017.