Top 10 Alternative Modes of Transportation

The car stands as one of the most revolutionary inventions in the past 150 years. Not only does it offer convenience and personal freedom through mobility, but it also brings along several challenges. Urban planners are increasingly concerned about air pollution affecting public health, the rise in carbon emissions contributing to global warming, and the growing traffic jams and expanded roads, which consume valuable urban space.

On an individual level, driving may not always be the ideal option. For example, the costs associated with fuel and car maintenance can quickly add up. Moreover, the high number of fatal accidents on highways can be alarming. Let’s explore other alternatives that may prove to be more cost-effective, safer, healthier, and even more environmentally friendly.

10: Walking

Reflect on the reasons you used your car last week. You might be surprised at how many of your trips were actually within walking distance, especially if you live in an urban environment.

While walking may take a little more time, remember the health benefits it brings. You might find more opportunities to take a stroll if you realize it could help extend your lifespan. According to the Mayo Clinic, walking can keep you fit, reduce blood pressure, maintain healthy cholesterol levels, and generally improve your mood.

In terms of energy consumption, walking is incredibly efficient. It’s thought that the reason our primate ancestors evolved to walk on two legs was to conserve energy. And when compared to driving, walking is far more energy-efficient.

9: Biking

Sometimes walking just won’t do—perhaps because your destination is too far or you’re in a rush. In those cases, biking is a great alternative to driving. Bikes are much less expensive to purchase and maintain compared to cars, and they take up minimal space. Plus, you can easily navigate through traffic, making them an ideal option during peak hours.

While walking is more energy-efficient than driving, biking surpasses it. Some studies suggest that biking is 50 times more efficient than driving, making the bicycle one of the most energy-efficient modes of transportation ever created by humans.

Bikes also require fewer resources to produce than cars, and unlike vehicles, they don’t pollute the air or contribute to global warming.

8: Bus

Naturally, many people face long commutes that make walking or biking impractical. Additionally, unfavorable weather conditions like storms, hot summers, and frigid winters can make these methods challenging.

In these cases, the bus can still be an excellent alternative to driving. If there’s a bus route available to you, it’s definitely worth considering. Buses typically use less fuel per passenger compared to single-occupancy vehicles and help reduce traffic congestion. Many places have dedicated bus lanes or carpool lanes, making the bus potentially faster than driving your own car.

7: Mass Transit Rail

If you reside in or near an urban center, you might have access to a mass transit rail network, such as a subway or metro system. While bus routes tend to have more stops and easier access, mass transit rail networks avoid road traffic, which often makes them faster than buses.

Although mass transit rail systems are typically more expensive to set up compared to bus systems, cities often consider them a worthwhile long-term investment. Rail networks are capable of transporting more passengers per vehicle than buses, and they produce less noise and air pollution.

6: Train

Intercity passenger rail, especially popular in Europe, serves as a fantastic alternative to driving. Similar to urban mass transit rail, it is highly efficient in carrying a large number of passengers per vehicle. When compared to cars, traveling by train is far more energy-efficient on a per-passenger-mile basis.

However, in the United States, rail freight companies own the railways themselves. This can mean that passenger trains have to take a backseat to freight trains, even making stops to let them pass. This situation makes it difficult for passenger trains to stay on schedule, and as a result they tend to be a less popular choice in the U.S.

5: Carpooling

Of course, if walking, biking and public transportation are not viable options for your commute, there are still other alternatives that can make your daily trips cheaper and more environmentally friendly. One such option is carpooling -- simply finding others who have a similar commute and offering to ride with them.

Because you can split fuel costs and cut your emissions per person, carpooling is a great way to cut down on expenses and feel good about reducing your personal environmental impact.

The challenge to carpooling is that you need to not only find others who have a similar commute but are also on a similar working schedule. Adapting your commute to a bus or train schedule is difficult enough for some people, but to rely on coordinating a ride with one or two other people can be extremely restricting.

4: Car Sharing

If you don’t need a car all the time but still want the option for occasional use, car sharing offers a great solution. With services like Zipcar and Flexcar, you can reserve a vehicle when needed without the full cost of ownership. These services typically charge on an hourly or daily basis, making them perfect for short-term use.

The cars are often parked in designated spots around the city, making it easy to find one when needed. For example, with Zipcar, after reserving your car, you can unlock it with your Zipcar card. Once you’re done, simply return it to the same location where you picked it up. Zipcar’s rates include gas and insurance within the hourly or daily charges.

3: Alternative Fuel Vehicles

Even if public transportation isn’t convenient for you or you don’t have a schedule that works with carpooling, there are still options for reducing your carbon footprint. One such option is considering an alternative fuel vehicle (AFV) to help you travel more sustainably.

While owning a personal vehicle offers convenience, choosing an alternative fuel vehicle allows you to use fuels other than petroleum. For example, compressed natural gas (CNG) is a cleaner option that generates less pollution and fewer greenhouse gases. Renewable fuels like ethanol, made from plants, and biodiesel, derived from vegetable oils and animal fats, are alternatives too. Propane, a clean-burning fuel available domestically in the U.S., offers a promising solution to reduce reliance on foreign oil. Finally, hydrogen-powered fuel cells produce zero emissions and no air pollution.

2: Electric Vehicles

Another viable option is an all-electric vehicle. While the electric car gained attention in the 1990s as a futuristic mode of transportation, its limitations kept it from widespread adoption. However, it may be on the verge of a resurgence, especially after Chevrolet announced in 2011 that it would release the all-electric Spark.

Electric vehicles are far more energy-efficient than gasoline-powered cars. They don’t emit any pollutants while in use. Even though electric cars might draw power from plants that still burn fossil fuels, they generally generate fewer carbon emissions compared to traditional vehicles.

One challenge for electric cars is that their batteries have limited life spans. However, with advancements in battery technology and the expansion of charging stations, electric cars may become an increasingly viable option compared to conventional cars.

1: Hybrid Vehicles

Until all-electric vehicles significantly enhance their performance, you might need a more practical solution in the meantime. This is where hybrid vehicles come in. Models like the Honda Insight and the Toyota Prius are excellent eco-friendly alternatives to conventional cars. They consume less fuel but remain reliable and efficient.

A hybrid vehicle combines a gasoline engine with an electric motor and batteries that store power. This combination offers the advantages of both systems. Gasoline engines are less efficient at lower speeds, so the electric motor takes over during these times. On the other hand, when more power is needed, the gas engine kicks in. Keep in mind that while you save on fuel, the initial cost of the vehicle tends to be higher.