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Today’s transportation needs and experiences are very similar for those of the past and the future. In the past people used transportation as a means to travel long distances quickly. In the future people will use transportation to quickly get from point A to point B. We use transportation in the same way to get from place to place; be it a short bus ride to the local grocery store or a cross country road trip to visit a family member, transportation is a prevalent element in our society. In today’s society we begin to experience transportation in a new way.

As things such as technology develop and new products come out we are forced to adapt to the changes and in turn new responses to our outside environment rise. Imagine being a commuter student or a person who has to drive a distance to get to work. As you step outside of your house you immediately begin your commute be it by bus, car, plane, or train.

Each mode of travel creates a different experience for the person. A person who commutes by car ends up in a more closed environment. He/she solely determines the atmosphere of what goes on into of the car. If they decide to put on makeup while driving or eat a breakfast sandwich, they are doing so with in their own space. That space is theirs and remains unchanged until they invite someone into their car. A car is a personal mode of transportation, by owning the car you are free to alter the car in any way you see fit, some people add steering wheel covers, while others add bumper stickers. All the elements of the customization are their own and relate to the person in the car. All of these things mentioned change when you commute via other modes of transportation.

Turn 360 degrees to see a person who commutes by train or bus, also known as public transportation. People who use public transit are forced into situations that maybe uncomfortable and unfamiliar. When you commute by bus or train there is no feeling of personal space or customization that is apparent when traveling by car. There is nothing on public transit that can be marked as personal or belonging to you. When people step onto a bus or train the first thing they do is look for an empty seat that isn’t near another person. When on public transit the ability to personalize your surroundings is obsolete. People are then forced to either endure their public exposure or recreate personal space.

 They do so by placing their bags on the seat next to them or putting earbuds in their ears to drown out the conversations of others. The people who choose to endure the public atmosphere end up hearing and seeing things that place them into sometimes uncomfortable situations.