Influence of Passenger Rail on the BosWash Megalopolis Corridor ...

<strong>Influence</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Passenger</strong> <strong>Rail</strong> on the BosWash Megalopolis Corridor
Overview
In 1961, Jean Gottmann recognized the importance <strong>of</strong> the string <strong>of</strong> cities including
Boston, Providence, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington D.C., and named the
corridor “Megalopolis” (Gottmann, 1961). The northeastern United States had become an area
<strong>of</strong> political, economic, and social supremacy (Gottmann, 1961). Characteristics such as high
density, increased infrastructure, population growth, technological advancements, and intricate
transportation systems enabled the northeastern corridor, specifically from Boston to
Washington, to become a significant geographical region (Gottmann, 1961).
Gottmann (1961) defined the Megalopolis corridor based on the overlapping suburban
areas that connected to form one metropolitan corridor. The northeastern suburbanization was
predominantly a result <strong>of</strong> the increase in automobile ownership and highway construction, after
World War II. However, although Gottmann emphasized the role <strong>of</strong> the automobile in the
development <strong>of</strong> Megalopolis, this paper argues that the initial regional structure and
transportation “spine” <strong>of</strong> Megalopolis was established by the passenger rail system that dates
back to the late nineteenth century. The Megalopolis corridor’s growth patterns were based on
the transportation “skeleton” provided by the development <strong>of</strong> the passenger rail system.
Moreover, the development <strong>of</strong> the passenger rail system in the northeast was a strategic decision
made by the railroads to provide mobility to the public. As such, it also served as the backbone
for the future development <strong>of</strong> the highway system.
The growth <strong>of</strong> the Megalopolis corridor relied heavily on mobility and interconnectivity
between the cities which was provided by the mid-nineteenth century development <strong>of</strong> passenger
rail. <strong>Passenger</strong> rail was a success at first, providing opportunities for travel and expansion;
however, by the 1920’s, the automobile and development <strong>of</strong> the highway system quickly
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