GETTING AROUND THE GREAT LAKES STATE: A BRIEF HISTORY OF TRANSPORTATION IN MICHIGAN Mike Unsworth

OUTLINE Focus of the Talk Basics Types of Power Michigan Developments The Future Citizen Participation Wrap-Up Questions

Focus of the Talk: Ground Transport

BASICS Efficiencies of Various Types of Transport Costs & Benefits: Greatest Good to the Greatest Number Building & Maintaining Transportation Infrastructure Takes Time and Is Expensive

MUSCLE- & CURRENTS- POWER FOR TRANSPORT

Grow most of the fuel and material Greatly affected by weather & geography Waste products are relatively minor & local

MACHINE-POWERED TRANSPORT Fuel and materials extracted Reduces impact of weather & geography Waste products are major & widespread

MICHIGAN DEVELOPMENTS

UNTIL 1850s WATER IS THE MAIN FORM OF TRANSPORTATION

1783: TREATY OF PARIS MAKES THE GREAT LAKES AN INTERNATIONAL BORDER

Ordinances of 1785 & 1787 Set Up State & Local Governments: Counties Townships

Roads Are A Local Responsibility: Expensive to build & maintain Leased out to private businesses Primitive

CANAL ERA (1825-present) Erie Canal (1825): easier access to the Mid-West Wabash & Erie Canal (1832): delays statehood Sault Locks (1855): opens up the U.P.’s natural resources

IMPACT OF STEAM ENGINE: WATER TRANSPORT (1817- Speeds travel on existing routes Relies on wood and coal, creating a demand for timber and linking Michigan into the national economy

IMPACT OF STEAM ENGINE: RAILROADS (1836- ) Brings large numbers of people into the interior Expands commerce: –Agricultural –Mining –Manufacturing Links communities Privately run with much government help

BICYCLE CRAZE ( ) Urban phenomenon Sparked “Good Roads Movement. “

Electric light rail or “Interurbans” ( s) Traveled within & between cities Enables suburbanization As with other forms of transit, not always welcome

Motor vehicles: Incredibly Convenient Less costly than horses Faster Gets one out of the weather Not chained to a transit company’s schedule

Motor Vehicles: Requires Major Investment for Infrastructure Auto Backers Take Over “Good Roads Movement” Responsibility for Roads Are Spread Over All Levels of Government: –Local: Property Taxes –State: Gas & Other Taxes. Sets standards and policies –Federal: Gas & Other Taxes. Sets standards and policies

Motor Vehicles: Convenience Comes With Costs Fosters Urban Sprawl Expensive and Hard to Maintain Negative Impact on Health

WHAT’S NEXT? Design & Rebuild Roads to Accommodate More Than Cars & Trucks: Include Pedestrians, Bikes, & Mass Transit People Move to More Densely Populated Cities & Towns

YOUR VOICE Our Democracy Functions When Citizens Participate Decision-making Must Be Public: –Open Meetings Act –Freedom of Information Laws

WRAP-UP We Build Our Infrastructure & Then the Infrastructure Molds Us Transportation Is Expensive. How We Pay for It Is the Big Question

QUESTIONS

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