Automobile-reliant describes a society, community, infrastructure, or individual heavily dependent on automobiles for transportation and daily activities. It signifies a system where other modes of transport like public transit, cycling, or walking are underdeveloped, inadequate, or inconvenient. This dependence often manifests in urban sprawl, extensive road networks, and car-centric planning, leading to consequences such as increased traffic congestion, air pollution, and reduced physical activity. automobile-reliant environments frequently prioritize car usage in urban design, influencing housing, commercial spaces, and public amenities. Furthermore, it can lead to higher transportation costs and limit accessibility for individuals without access to a vehicle, especially in marginalized communities.
Automobile-reliant meaning with examples
- The city's sprawling suburban design and lack of robust public transportation made it intensely automobile-reliant. Residents often needed cars for even basic errands. This reliance led to extensive traffic during peak hours and significantly contributed to the city's high levels of air pollution and urban sprawl, creating dependence on cars for all facets of life.
- Many rural communities in the region are inherently automobile-reliant, with limited public transport and vast distances between essential services. This structure disproportionately impacts elderly people and low-income families, making them isolated and limiting access to necessary resources like healthcare and groceries due to geographical constraints.
- The development's design showcased an automobile-reliant infrastructure, prioritizing wide streets and parking spaces over pedestrian walkways and bike lanes. This layout discouraged alternative transport and ultimately reinforced the reliance on cars for commuting and leisure, further entrenching car use.
- Countries with large economies can have areas that are automobile-reliant, forcing people into dependence on vehicles. The result is often a culture which views car ownership as not only a lifestyle choice, but a necessity. The impacts include greater carbon footprints, as well as the need for roads, parking lots, and highway maintenance.