20th Century Transportation System, 21st Century Driving Habits
When gas prices exploded this summer, it wasn’t hard to notice that Americans were changing their habits. Our streets were dominated with bikers and pedestrians; our mass transit systems packed with commuters looking to save time and money; and our driveways were full with unused cars as millions of us found easier, cheaper ways to get to work or go to the grocery store.
But if you know anyone who still has their doubts about just how much our country has cut back on driving — and just how long we’ve been doing it for — be sure to show them this new report from the Washington, D.C. think tank The Brookings Institution.
There’s a whole lot of data and analysis available if you want to read the whole report, but for someone looking to get a general idea of what’s happening on our roads, this first sentence really says it all:
Driving, as measured by national VMT[vehicle miles traveled], began to plateau as far back as 2004 and dropped in 2007 for the first time since 1980. Per capita driving followed a similar pattern, with flat-lining growth after 2000 and falling rates since 2005. These recent declines in driving predated the steady hikes in gas prices during 2007 and 2008. Moreover, the recent drops in VMT (90 billion miles) and VMT per capita (388 miles) are the largest annualized drops since World War II.
Combine those numbers with our skyrocketing demand for transit, and it seems pretty clear what Americans want — clean, green infrastructure, and a complete transportation system that gives us plenty of options for getting around.
September 11, 2008Ohio must rethink growth, study says
A new study from the Brookings Institution says that Ohio needs to strengthen its cities while pulling back from the sprawling development patterns that have characterized much of its recent growth. (Columbus Dispatch — Joe Hallett)
July 25, 2008The urban West: Where the federal government can help
New Brookings Institution report on five “megapolitan” areas in the southwest says that transit-oriented development is a key step towards helping these metros prosper. (Salt Lake Tribune — Editorial)
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- Why Jackson, MS needs better transit and complete streets
December 17, 2008 - Introducing the Streetsblog Network
December 8, 2008 - Americans overwhelmingly support new transportation investments
November 20, 2008 - Governors call for new approach to transportation
October 15, 2008 - Reinventing American Transportation
October 10, 2008
- Why Jackson, MS needs better transit and complete streets
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