Why We Can Do Better Than Cars

I want to make a list of reasons why cars, roads, etc. are really bad for the world. I don't mind if the list is very long, but I'm hoping each of the items will be short, easy to understand, and convincing. The list will be in order from most to least important. Obviously, it is very hard to assign "importance," so I'm going to use my estimate of economic impact as a proxy. Eventually, I'd like to find some real data/analysis for as many items as possible. I think some of the items are virtually impossible to assign a value to, so I'm going to make some pretty arbitrary judgment calls. I do think the top three are in the correct order. Also on the to do list: write expanded posts for each item, make a dependency map between items, expand the list, refine the list, and make the list into a huge poster to bring with me as a prop when I'm on Oprah.

1. Dead and maimed people
2. Traffic
3. Global warming
4. Expanding roads after buildings are built around them requires herculean effort
5. Roads are hard to build above, below, or through the ground this makes many common things significant obstacles: water, mountains, canyons, gorges, valleys, other roads, and buildings
6. Emissions related health problems
7. Cars don't drive themselves, wasting the drivers time
8. Cars sit unused most of the time
9. Cars are expensive to own
10. Cars do not age well
11. Parking lots and garages waste space and money (thanks Elnatan)
12. Time is wasted searching for parking
13. Maintenance of heavily trafficked roads causes delays
14. Cars do not adapt well to harsh weather
15. Cars are noisy
16. Low maximum speed
17. Roads divide wildlife territory
18. Cars kill wildlife

Please send additions, refinements, or questions via the comment link below.