View all Archives -
Environment and Development »
The American Energy Consumer
Table 5-23.Activities Missed in Past
Year Because of Inadequate Transportation, by Income, 1972-1973
(percent of households)
| Activities
missed |
Poor |
Lower middle |
Upper middle |
Well off |
| All households |
100 |
100 |
100 |
100 |
| No problem |
74 |
89 |
90 |
95 |
| Unable to |
|
|
|
|
| Visit friends and
relatives |
19 |
4 |
5 |
2 |
| Shop at less expensive
stores |
15 |
4 |
4 |
2 |
| Go to doctor or
dentist |
9 |
5 |
3 |
2 |
| Attend a religious
service |
9 |
3 |
3 |
|
| Apply for a particular
job |
4 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
| Take a particular job |
3 |
2 |
4 |
3 |
| Number of areas in which
household reports problems |
|
|
|
|
| None |
74 |
89 |
90 |
95 |
| 1 |
9 |
6 |
5 |
2 |
| 2 |
9 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
| 3 or more |
7 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
| Source: Washington
Center for Metropolitan Studies' Lifestyles and Energy
Surveys. |
could take advantage of it. In the process, however, we have
ignored the problems automotive civilization creates for those who
cannot own or drive a car. The poor, elderly, and those too young
to drive must pay more for transportation, while having fewer and
fewer places they can reach by public transit.
Ironically,
the poor also suffer more from traffic congestion caused by the
autos of others. Respondents were asked:
About what
percentage of the traffic on this street or road is caused by
trucks, buses, and cars of persons not living on this
street?
Over 50 percent of the poor report that they believe over half
the traffic on their street is caused by vehicles of persons not
living on their street. Only one-third of the middle and well off
households report this situation. (The air pollution problems of
the poor are discussed in detail in Chapter Six.)
LOWER
MIDDLE INCOME AMERICANS
Many
Americans, while not poor, still do not have a comfortable income.
Authors who have discussed this group point out that the lower
middle income households constitute a present and serious problem.
Although not poor, many