The Feds Aren’t Crowing About the Record Amount of Driving in America
Gas is cheap again, and cumulatively, Americans are driving a record amount.
Newly released U.S. DOT data shows that through the end of November, Americans drove a cumulative 2.88 trillion miles last year, well above the same period in 2014, indicating that 2015 will set a new national record for driving mileage. Adjusting for population growth, driving is still about 6 percent lower than the peak in 2005, though that metric is also on the rise, reports analyst Doug Short.
On the bright side, at least this time the feds aren't cheering the news, like they did back in August. Todd Solomon at U.S. DOT's blog, The Fast Lane, wrote about the drawbacks of more traffic:
Each of those miles is wear and tear on the roadway surface. And when combined, those miles represent a significant challenge to our capacity. And that means traffic congestion. Which means lost time, lost money, and increased greenhouse gas emissions. So, while we appreciate that our roads made possible those 3+ trillion vehicle miles traveled, we aren't exactly celebrating this new record.
Even if the average American isn't driving as much today as 10 years ago, too many cities and towns are saddled with infrastructure that leaves people with no good alternative to driving for almost every trip. Without significant changes to transportation and land use policy, traffic isn't going to decline on its own.
Hat tip: Tony Dutzik
Stay in touch
Sign up for our free newsletter
More from Streetsblog USA
Why Chicago Advocates Are Providing Bikes to Migrants
Unless funds are freed up from a larger entity, bike distribution to asylum seekers is going to stay in crisis mode indefinitely.
Monday’s Headlines Are Open for Business
Monday will be just another Monday for federal employees, as Congress avoided a government shutdown. Plus, declining gas tax revenue provides an opportunity to rethink transportation funding.
Why Connecticut is Investing in New Regional Rail
Gov. Ned Lamont will spend $315 million investment on new rail cars — but they're not going anywhere near Grand Central. Here's why.
NYers Share Their ‘End of Days’ Flooding Pics
It's bad out there. How bad? Here is a citywide roundup from our staff ... and our friends on social media.
To Help Save the Planet, Take the ‘Week Without Driving’ Challenge
Former Sierra Club President Ramón Cruz is urging Americans to give up driving for seven days — and support policies to make it optional for everyone.
