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.
October 16, 2008The power of the consumer cartel
An editorial in the Minneapolis Star Tribune looks at a key factor behind this fall’s downward shift in fuel prices — the changing of Americans’ consumption habits.
October 15, 2008In Gas Prices, A Silver Lining
Falling demand is sinking gas prices, but frugal consumers don’t see their mileage climbing back up anytime soon. (Washington Post — Steven Mufson)
October 15, 2008Thinking Anew About a Migratory Barrier: Roads
The proliferation of heavily-trafficked highways that cut through tracts of wilderness across the United States has created huge problems for migratory wildlife. (New York Times – Jim Robbins)
October 14, 2008We drive less, but roads are still full, Chicago-area study says
A new study by the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning shows that while total miles of car travel in the Chicago area has dropped by nearly five percent since last year, congestion in the region has managed to get worse. (Chicago Tribune — Jon Hilkevitch)
October 14, 2008Pay less for gas, drive more?
While gas prices are sliding down below three dollars across the country, many commuters may continue to save energy and find ways to get around that don’t involve driving a car. (Minneapolis Star-Tribune — Chao Xiong and Bill McAuliffe.)
October 10, 2008Global auto market may “collapse” in 2009: J.D.Power
A prominent industry tracking firm suggests that the car market could cave in next year due to economic insecurity and the credit crisis. (Reuters)
October 10, 2008Cash-Strapped Drivers Scrimp Despite Cheaper Gas
Reduced demand and the worldwide stock market dive have sunk gas prices, but many Americans are finding few good reasons to start logging more miles on the road. (Wall Street Journal — Ana Campoy)
October 8, 2008As gas falls, will we still conserve?
Drivers in San Antonio are lining up at the pumps for $2.89-per-gallon gasoline, but after Americans drastically altered their transportation habits to cope with high gas prices over the summer, many people think we’re ready for some more permanent changes. (San Antonio News — Ken Rodriguez)
October 8, 2008Little joy at slide in gasoline
While the stock’s market plunge is sinking oil demand and in turn lowering gas prices, Americans desperate to cut more costs are feeling little relief. (Los Angeles Times — Ronald White)
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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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