Understanding Sustainable Transportation Systems: A Comparative Analysis of Phoenix and Philadelphia

The transportation of people and goods is a necessary task of society. The systems we construct to accomplish this objective profoundly impact the livelihoods of those interacting with them. Therefore, understanding the factors of these systems is paramount in building sustainable transportation systems. I conducted a comparative analysis of Phoenix and Philadelphia, two cities with similar population sizes, to understand which factors are important in determining the sustainability of transportation systems. Through this comparison, it became apparent that choice is a key element in sustainable transportation systems, and that the context and history of cities are critical in making sense of the status quo and planning for a better future.