US can learn a lot from Japan (1): Public transportation and more
已有 3340 次阅读2010-7-12 08:45|个人分类:Thoughts of Mine|系统分类:海外观察|space, Car, Japan, garage
Japan always impresses me, a short-term visitor.
We know that Japan is small, compared to US or China. Space is clearly an issue. Many Japanese use public transportation routinely. When my girlfriend came to the Narita Airport to pick me up many years ago, I immediately noticed how empty the expressway was and learned why: It is NOT FREEway, as most US expressways are called. Ever since then, I insist on taking a shuttle bus to their home, which is rather convenient.
During a recent visit, I snapped this photo for our AOAO: how to use a security chain at an entrance (below). The chain is controlled by a remote controller that each car owner carries in the car.
Note also how the 5-car garage system is designed. Showing in the photo is the two levels above the ground; there is another level underground. The middle ground allows only one car to park, and the other side (left or right depending on how the other four cars are used) is to let other four cars out (one at a time). The parking system at this complex is actually more complicated: The cost of parking is determined by the size of a car (width, height, length, etc.) So, do you want to drive a hummer in Japan? It will COST you more just to park!