As goes the American economy, so goes the traffic.
Though it might have been hard to notice, traffic congestion took a break from its worsening trend even before the current recession, with high gas prices in the last half of 2007 bringing about a slight reduction in traffic, according to the Texas Transportation Institute (TTI). The recession that took hold soon after could prolong that effect, but experts warn that the slowdown in congestion growth will be temporary. When the economy rebounds, expect traffic problems to do the same.
The most current information on the nation’s traffic picture is outlined in the 2009 “Urban Mobility Report,” released today by TTI. This year’s installment tracks a quarter century of traffic patterns in 439 U.S. urban areas from 1982 through 2007. The report was prepared by researchers David Schrank and Tim Lomax.
Travelers spent one hour less stuck in traffic in 2007 than they did the year before and wasted 1 gal less gasoline than the year before. The differences are small, but they represent a rare break in near-constant growth in traffic over 25 years.
“This is a very small change,” said Schrank. “No one should expect to be driving the speed limit on their way to work because of this.”
That’s because the average traveler still needs 25% more time for those trips.
Other highlights from the research illustrate the effects of the nation’s traffic problems.
The overall cost (based on wasted fuel and lost productivity) reached $87.2 billion in 2007--more than $750 for every U.S. traveler.
The total amount of wasted fuel topped 2.8 billion gal--three weeks’ worth of gas for every traveler.
The amount of wasted time totaled 4.2 billion hours--nearly one full work week (or vacation week) for every traveler.
Researchers recommend a balanced and diversified approach to reducing traffic congestion, one that focuses on more of everything. Their strategies include:
- Get as much use as possible out of the transportation system we have;
- Add roadway and public transportation capacity in the places where it is needed most; and
- Change our patterns, employing ideas like ridesharing and flexible work times to avoid traditional “rush hours.”
“The best solutions are going to be those in which actions by transportation agencies are complemented by businesses, manufacturers and commuters,” Lomax said. “There’s a mindset that says that this is a city government’s job or a state DOT’s job, but the problem is far too big for transportation agencies alone to address it adequately.”
For more on the 2009 “Urban Mobility Report,” turn to the August issue of Roads & Bridges.
