Part 1: Do the existing transportation systems meet people’s needs? Interview p

Part 1: Do the existing transportation systems meet people’s needs?
Interview people of different backgrounds and lived experiences, but focus on the vulnerable groups. You may interview a relative, friend, coworker, or a random person that you meet. Focus on their difficulties/ challenges, and what an ideal transportation system looks like to them. Make sure to ask your interviewees about their short- and long-distance travel and whether they meet their needs.
Take notes as you talk to them, and your notes will be part of the appendix.
Part 2: Professional perspective: current and future of transportation
Reflect upon the upcoming challenges, and opportunities related to (or can influence) transportation. Consult different sources and people on what makes a good transportation system and what we need to do in order to get there. You should get this information from various sources (not just one!) such as policy briefs, reliable news, research reports, academic books, and articles, and synthesize what you found in your paper.
You can also interview professionals on the future of transportation (a practitioner or academic). This is optional and strongly encouraged — it will make your paper stronger and you’ll also have the opportunity to connect with professionals who may support your career development. You should contact them as soon as possible to schedule a 30-minute appointment or phone call, explain the purpose of the meeting (i.e., for a class project) and make sure to thank them afterward. What to ask: their view of the existing transportation system, the pressing needs, challenges, opportunities, future outlooks.
Part 3: Putting everything together.
In your paper, summarize and synthesize the information that you’ve learned from the professional’s and users’ viewpoints (especially those who might be left out of the system). For each of the key point mentioned by the users and professionals, reflect upon what you’ve heard and read: How extensive/common these problems are? Why do they exist? What has been done to address it (somewhere in the US or beyond)? What are the challenges that make it more difficult to address these problems (e.g., political climate, regulations, economy, climate change, etc.)? What are pontential technological, regulation, and policy solutions to address these problems?
And finally, for each member in the group: how have your views changed after this class? What are the key issues that you want to pursue professionally?
Example: The city looks different when you’re older. This is a good example of how to present your paper, although its topic and content are different from what you’re doing. For each key point, an interviewee is quoted/ summarized, and followed by the expert’s discussion on this issue.