許多城市都設有地下列車系統，這讓日常出行變得更高效、更環保。如今，有人在探討應不應該把道路也挪到地下，從而為咖啡館、公園等更美觀的場所騰出地上空間。本文圍繞改在地下修建道路這一提議現實與否展開討論。
詞匯：traffic 交通
Can you imagine living in a city without roads on the surface? We’ve already put trains underground successfully, but the idea of building roads underground is now inspiring urban planners and engineers. Bradley Garrett, author of ‘Subterranean London’, says that there’s something magical about things happening out of sight, that it “gives the illusion of seamlessness“. So, how might underground roads reshape our cities and redefine the daily commute?
“If you want to revitalise the city centre, you pedestrianise the roads,” says Tom Ireland, the director of tunnelling at engineering company Aurecon. Moving roads below the surface can free up space for parks, pavement cafes, and other public amenities, improving the urban environment and mental health of the population. Not only that, it could reduce traffic congestion above ground, and who doesn’t want to be freed from noise pollution and the sight of gridlocked traffic?
Underground roads could also make self-driving cars more popular, which are often more energy-efficient, and less prone to collisions. This, in a world trying to reduce its fuel consumption, is appealing. But if driverless cars end up becoming more attractive than public transport, it could actually make traffic worse, because cars take up more space than trains and buses.
That’s not the only drawback that may come with a motorised world beneath our feet. The construction and maintenance of underground infrastructure are both hazardous and energy-intensive processes. On top of that, most people don’t like the feeling of confinement you get when you’re travelling through underground tunnels, which may affect public perception.
Dreams of roadless, car-free cities bring both excitement and scepticism. We may fantasise about cityscapes made for pedestrians, but perhaps getting more people to use public transport rather than private vehicles would be more worth our time and resources.
詞匯表
urban planner 城市規劃師
the illusion of seamlessness 完美連貫的假象，無縫的錯覺
commute 上下班往返，通勤
pedestrianise 設立步行街
free up space 騰出空間
public amenities 公共設施
congestion 擁堵，堵塞
noise pollution 噪聲污染
gridlocked traffic 交通堵塞
self-driving car 自動駕駛汽車
energy-efficient 節能的
collision（車輛）碰撞，相撞
fuel consumption 燃油消耗量，耗油量
motorised 機動（化）的
infrastructure 基礎設施
hazardous 危險的
energy-intensive 耗能的
roadless 無道路的
car-free 無車的，車輛禁行的
vehicle 車輛，交通工具
測驗與練習
1. 閱讀課文並回答問題。
1. What, according to Bradley Garret, gives “the illusion of seamlessness”?
2. What are two benefits of moving roads underground?
3. True or False? Self-driving cars are more prone to collisions.
4. What could be a potential downside of self-driving cars?
5. What does the article suggest could be a better use of our time and resources than underground roads?
2. 選擇意思恰當的單詞或詞組來完成下列句子。
1. New buses use less fuel, so they are more _______.
energy-intensive seamlessness energy-efficient fuel consumption
2. The urban planners transformed the busy road into a street made for _______.
pedestrian pedestrians pedestrianise pedestrianised
3. She likes to read during her daily train _______ to make the most of her time.
gridlock commute hazard pollution
4. Dad has _______ in the living room by removing his toy collection.
freed up space free space up freeing up space free up space
5. To reduce her carbon footprint, she decided to be _______ for a month.
hazardous roadless motorised car-free
答案
1. 閱讀課文並回答問題。
1. What, according to Bradley Garret, gives “the illusion of seamlessness”?
Things happening out of sight (like underground transport in a city).
2. What are two benefits of moving roads underground?
It can free up space for public amenities and reduce traffic congestion.
3. True or False? Self-driving cars are more prone to collisions.
False. Self-driving cars are less prone to collisions.
4. What could be a potential downside of self-driving cars?
If they become more attractive than public transport, it could make traffic worse.
5. What does the article suggest could be a better use of our time and resources than underground roads?
Getting more people to use public transport rather than private vehicles.
2. 選擇意思恰當的單詞或詞組來完成下列句子。
1. New buses use less fuel, so they are more energy-efficient.
2. The urban planners transformed the busy road into a street made for pedestrians.
3. She likes to read during her daily train commute to make the most of her time.
4. Dad has freed up space in the living room by removing his toy collection.
5. To reduce her carbon footprint, she decided to be car-free for a month.
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