Rural transport problems and non-car populations in the USA: A UK perspective

Abstract

The UK and the USA are compared with respect to the transportation problems experienced in rural areas by disadvantaged population groups. While this has been a popular subject in the UK, there appears to be little interest in the USA, where it is particularly neglected by geographers. This is primarily due to the assumption of universal car ownership in the USA. Hence the question arises of whether rural transport problems can be ‘solved’ by very high car ownership rates. The first part of this article is a brief review of the relevant US literature, drawing attention not only to the objective differences from the UK, but also to divergent perceptions of the issue. This is followed by a summary of statistical indicators for the USA, concentrating on car ownership patterns and their relationships with the rural condition and the poverty factor.