There are a number of planning and design approaches
to redressing automobile dependency, known variously as
New Urbanism, Transit-oriented development, and Smart
growth. Most of these approaches focus on the physical
urban design, urban density and landuse zoning of
cities.
Transport planning academic at the University
of Melbourne argues that investment in good public
transit, centralised management by the public sector and
appropriate policy priorities are more significant than
issues of urban form and density
There are of course many who argue against a number
of the details within any of the complex arguments
related to this topic, particularly relationships
between urban density and transit viability, or the
nature of viable alternatives to automobiles that
provide the same degree of flexibility and speed.
Riders enter the ride as "volunteers"
for a time travel experiment at Emmett Brown's fictional
Institute of Future Technology. Brown explains
that the plan is for them to travel one day into the
future, but that caution must be exercised as Biff
Tannen has escaped his time period and is now running
amok in the space-time continuum.
Tannen traps Brown in his office, and it is revealed that he
escaped when employees of Brown took the original
De Lorean to for an experiment; Tannen stowed away
when they make the return journey. He steals the time
machine and vanishes into time. Frantic, Brown pleads
with the visitors to assist him; they enter the
8-passenger time vehicle and follow Tannen into time.
There is also research into the future of automobility itself in
terms of shared usage, size reduction, roadspace management and
more sustainable fuel sources.
Although
there are case-by-case exceptions for antiques and diplomats, it
is currently illegal to import used motor vehicles into China.
Refurbished heavy construction equipment can be imported with a
special permit. Used and refurbished auto parts are not allowed
to be imported into China.
