Urban transportation has evolved in tandem with the structure of cities.

In the past, when people

primarily walked for daily tasks, cities were compact and citizens lived close to workplaces. The advent of
high-capacity vehicles during the industrial revolution allowed for greater travel distances, changing the
dynamics of city size and urban form.

The history of metropolitan growth and transport development in the USA can be divided into key eras:

1. Walking–Horsecar Era (1800–90): Cities remained compact, relying on walking and horsedrawn
vehicles for urban transport.

2. Electric Streetcar Era (1890–1920): The invention of electric traction motors led to the growth of
streetcar suburbs along trolley routes.

3. Recreational Automobile Era (1920–45): The automobile's enhanced mobility transformed

urban landscapes into suburban metropolises.

4. Freeway Era (1945– ): The automobile became a necessity, promoting urban sprawl and the rise
of edge cities. This era had distinct phases:

 Bedroom Community (1945–55): Residential boom with modest suburban commercial

expansion.

 Independence Stage (1955–65): Economic growth accelerated with the development of

industrial and office parks.

 Catalytic Growth (1965–80): Further expansion of regional shopping malls and

associated facilities in suburbs.

 High-Rise/High-Technology (1980–90): Suburban downtowns emerged as functional

equivalents to central business districts.

 Mature Urban Centers (1990– ): Suburban downtowns diversified, becoming cultural,

entertainment, and civic centers, addressing issues like traffic management through
initiatives such as Traffic Management Associations (TMAs).

Looking ahead, the main urban transport challenge in the twenty-first century is optimizing the
movement of people in dispersed, polycentric metropolises.