How Bad is Traffic Congestion?
According to the Texas Transportation Institute, drivers in the largest 70 metropolitan areas spend an average of 40 hours a year stuck in traffic, 8 percent more than in 1990 and 150 percent more than in 1982. Only a third of rush hour travel was congested in 1982; today, two-thirds is. As a result, Americans waste 4.3 billion hours and $74 billion a year. Not surprisingly, 60 percent of Americans living in metro areas report that congestion is a problem. Why is Congestion So Bad? Traffic congestion has gotten worse for two reasons: the demand (vehicle miles traveled or VMT) has skyrocketed while the supply (miles of roads) has barely increased. Compared to 20 years ago, 36 percent more Americans work and commute. Moreover, as Americans get wealthier and the costs of driving fall, more people drive. The longer lives of cars (more than eight years) let more poor people afford vehicles. As the New Economy enables more Americans to live and work in the suburbs, these workers commute long
