Train Stations Plan for the Future

Even as the economy recovers, Americans are driving less. Across the country, in urban areas, we're instead choosing to walk, bike, or take public transit.

And when we have a long trip planned, there's strong evidence that the Great American Roadtrip is also on the wane. Amtrak has set a new ridership record in 10 of the past 11 years, with FY 2013 being its best year ever with 31.6 million passengers riding.

With all that demand comes congestion and backups at major rail hubs, but smart cities are anticipating and adapting so that the train station of the future is full, but not crowded. Busy, but not packed. And instead of being a place that commuters hurry through, cities are renovating their train stations to be neighborhood amenities.