Skip to Content
Streetsblog Los Angeles home
Streetsblog Los Angeles home
Log In
Streetsblog.net

Declining Traffic: How Will It Affect U.S. Transportation?

Several Streetsblog Network members, including the Bicycle Coalition of Philadelphia and Decatur Metro, have blogged about the latest numbers from traffic information firm INRIX,
which show declining congestion in 2008 vs. 2007 in nearly every metro
area surveyed (Baton Rouge, LA, bucks the trend; go figure). INRIX
reports "peak hour congestion on the major roads in urban America
decreased nearly 30% in 2008 versus 2007."

us_ave_annual_vehicle_miles_projection_to2032_2009_01.png Missouri Bicycle News digs into a related set of data, the traffic volume trends from the Federal Highway Administration:

TheDecember 2008 figures (the latest available) show that motor vehiclemiles traveled were down about 3.6% for 2008 as compared with 2007.

Three thoughts:

1.It is remarkable that miles traveled continued to decline quite sharplyeven in the last part of 2008. During that period, gas prices weredeclining dramatically -- which creates a strong incentive to drivemore...

2. This continued drop in miles drivendramatically upsets transportation planning as it has been done overthe past 50 years in the U.S. All road and highway planning is done onthe assumption that travel miles will continue to increase at a 2-4%annual rate as they have done (on average) through the entire 20thcentury.

Now -- even after the U.S. recovers from thecurrent economic difficulties -- predictions are for miles driven togrow less than 1% annually.

Mostroad projects are planned using 10, 20, and 50-year traffic forecasts.Even just 10 years out, the difference between 1% and 3% annual growthrate is very large. Twenty years out it's a 2:1 difference.

Are we planning our roads for twice the traffic that will really exist in 20 years?

Give us your thoughts on the data in the comments.

Elsewhere around the network, Trains for America posts about an engine shortage on Amtrak (need a place to spend some capital, Mr. President?), Lightrailblogger has a report from a light rail pub crawl to benefit Phoenix businesses and charities, and Fifty Car Pileup gets doored in Soho (no serious injury sustained, thankfully) and attracts the attention of the paparazzi in the process.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog Los Angeles

L.A. City New Bikeway Mileage Fell to Five Year Low in Fiscal Year 23-24

Streetsblog's annual round-up of the good, the bad, and all the meh in between - for the city's underwhelming 22.5 lane-miles of new and improved bike facilities

October 2, 2024

Duarte Renews E-Bus Contract with Foothill Transit

City staff is satisfied with the service, which provides 25,000 rides a year

October 2, 2024

New Bike and Bus Lanes on Townsend Avenue and Avenue 51

A mile of new bus and bike lanes represents a worthwhile modest step toward safer, more multimodal streets. The hillside project includes uphill bike lanes and downhill sharrows.

October 1, 2024
See all posts