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Outside Shinjuku Station, the busiest train station in the world, a swarm of 3.64 million commuters per day spill out onto the streets, seemingly in unison, via countless exits and well-designed traffic lights. Innovative "cycle trees," multilevel mechanized parking lots for cyclists, make it simple to get around without a car.

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Final answer:

A visitor from less densely populated areas like the suburban U.S. or rural regions may feel overwhelmed by the crowded conditions of Tokyo or Mumbai's transit systems.

Step-by-step explanation:

Envisioning oneself as a visitor from the suburban United States in Tokyo's Shinjuku station or in Mumbai's railway system, one might feel overwhelmed due to the sheer volume of people and the synchronization required to navigate such busy public transit systems. Similarly, a visitor from a rural area might experience a sensory overload upon encountering the compact environment of a Hong Kong train. These situations highlight the importance of urban planning and the adaption to local transit behaviors that contribute to an efficient and environmental-friendly commute, despite the high population density. Looking back in history, the image of an orphaned baby among the wreckage of the bombed Shanghai train station during the Sino-Japanese war evokes a stark contrast to the bustling life of today's cities.

The social dynamics of mass transit are critical for understanding how individuals act in large groups and adapt to urban environments. Commuters, often strangers, cooperate passively through shared routines and conduct. In places like Curitiba, Brazil, innovative urban planning has led to a decrease in car usage and an increase in mass transit efficiency, setting an example of how cities can grow sustainably.

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User Mariano Ruiz
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