Building Better Cities: Key Innovations and Reforms from 1909-1913

As I delve into the discovery phase of my latest research project on major transportation trends during President Taft's presidency, I am rediscovering some fascinating facts.

These insights are taking me down a yellow brick road of political and transportation accomplishments from 1909 to 1913. While I knew the early 20th century was full of gems, I hadn't previously stopped to connect the dots and see how pivotal these four years have been for city life and the way we get around cities.

As I go down memory lane in my research, I am reminded of the many major changes that helped cities grow from 1909 to 1913 on both the political and transportation technology fronts: big business fair competition, women's rights, labor rights, the beginning of the automobile, the modern assembly...that's a lot!

President Taft broke up big companies to ensure fair competition, boosting local economies. The Sixteenth Amendment introduced income tax, providing money for city services and infrastructure. Women's right to vote and labor rights made cities more inclusive, allowing more people to be able to do things in the city, whether it was for work or general pleasure. The new Department of Labor protected and improved working conditions for workers, creating a more stable workforce. These reforms turned cities into thriving hubs of opportunity and growth.

On the transportation evolution front, there were some major technological advances "disrupting" the transportation space and creating new travel mode options for Americans. It was at this time that we began to see America's love affair with gas-powered cars and a shift away from trains. Gas-powered cars also emerged as favorites over electric vehicles. During Taft's presidency the Ford Motor Company opened its Highland Park Plant in 1910, and automakers adopted the moving assembly line in 1913.

Durham's Free Transit Initiative: Boosting Ridership

If you're in Durham, North Carolina, and haven't heard of their free transit initiative yet, you're living under a pretty big rock akin to Sisyphus' rock. The city launched a fare-free public transit initiative, and the impact has been nothing short of remarkable.

Whether you're commuting to work, heading to school, or just exploring the town, riding the bus is not only easy on your wallet—it’s also a step toward a more connected city.

More Riders, More Jobs

As we enter the second year of GoDurham's "fare-free" public transit program, ridership in Durham has seen a significant boost, and it's helping ridership numbers recover after the significant decline caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. It's not just about saving money—although that's always a plus—but also about creating more equitable access to jobs and other opportunities. By removing the cost barrier, more people can get to work, school, and other essential services. This is especially critical for those who don't own a car or can't afford the rising costs of gas and maintenance.

Environmental Impact

The environmental impact of increased public transit use is another reason Durham's initiative is turning heads. More people on buses means fewer cars on the road, which eventually translates to reduced traffic congestion and lower carbon emissions as more people consider getting out of their cars and riding public transit.

The Federal Connection

Durham's free transit initiative wouldn't be possible without strong federal support. The city has been able to secure a series of federal grants, thanks in no small part to its close relationship with the U.S. Department of Transportation. At Durham's recent State of the City address, Mayor Leo Williams casually dropped that he is on texting basis with Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg. Good move Mayor Williams! We need all the resourcefulness we can get when trying to increase access to public transit.

A Long-Term Sustainability Question

While the fare-free public transit program has made a splash, the question on my mind is: how sustainable is it? Funding from federal grants can only go so far, and maintaining a program of this scale requires consistent financial support. The challenge for Durham is to find a way to keep the initiative going without sacrificing service quality or overburdening taxpayers. This uncertainty makes long-term planning complex, but the city is committed to exploring creative solutions.

Durham's fare-free public transit initiative is a bold move, but whether it's financially sustainable in the long run is still up in the air. The program has shown that it can boost ridership and reduce carbon emissions, but long-term viability depends on finding stable funding sources. As the city navigates these challenges, the rest of us can sit back, relax, and enjoy the free ride while it lasts.

Early 1900s Transportation Research Questions

My writing process is a mixture of general topic curiosity, subject matter knowledge, personal perspectives, and tons of research that all gets processed together into thoughts and sentences that eventually make sense and tell a story.

My current writing mission involves writing an article for a transportation think tank about transportation in the early 1900s and the sitting U.S. President.

To give structure these are the three overarching big picture questions functioning as my north star:

1. What did our transportation system look in the early 1900s?

2. Who was William Taft?

3. How did President Taft shape the transportation landscape?

Here are some of the questions that are steering my research curiosity:

1. What were the primary Pre-WWI transportation modes?

2. How did people travel between 1909 - 1913?

3. What was happening in transportation innovation or travel in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and DC between 1909 - 1913?

4. What was going on with the goods movement?

5. How was the automobile evolution coming along?

6. How did Taft travel?

7. How did Hearst travel?

8. Had the airplane been invented yet?

9. What materials were used to make streets?

10. What major bridges were being built during this time?

11. What did leisure travel look like across socio-economic classes?

12. Was this pre, during or post the Titanic sinking?

13. What were the major immigration trends at the time?

14. What was the major transportation technology of the time?

15. Was there any major transportation innovations or policy during Taft's presidency?

16. Which U.S. cities had subways, street cars, or metro systems?

17. How long did it take to travel from DC to New York?

18. Was it common or allowed for women to travel alone between cities?

19. How many railroad companies existed and where did they travel to?

20. What types of bicycles existed and who were the major bicycle makers?