2011 Urban Mobility Report

Congestion is a significant problem in America’s 439 urban areas. And, although readers and policy makers may have been distracted by the economy-based congestion reductions in the last few years, the 2010 data indicate the problem will not go away by itself – action is needed. First, the problem is very large. In 2010, congestion caused urban Americans to travel 4.8 billion hours more and to purchase an extra 1.9 billion gallons of fuel for a congestion cost of $101 billion. Second, 2008 was the best year for congestion in recent times; congestion was worse in 2009 and 2010. Third, there is only a short-term cause for celebration. Prior to the economy slowing, just 4 years ago, congestion levels were much higher than a decade ago; these conditions will return with a strengthening economy. There are many ways to address congestion problems; the data show that these are not being pursued aggressively enough. The most effective strategy is one where agency actions are complemented by efforts of businesses, manufacturers, commuters and travelers. There is no rigid prescription for the “best way”—each region must identify the projects, programs and policies that achieve goals, solve problems and capitalize on opportunities.

• Record URL:
  http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/mobility-report-2011-wappx.pdf
• 
• Record URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/61386
• Supplemental Notes:
  • This document is disseminated under the sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Transportation University Transportation Centers Program.
• Corporate Authors:

  Texas Transportation Institute

  Texas A&M University System, 3135 TAMU
  College Station, TX  United States  77843-3135

  University Transportation Center for Mobility

  Texas Transportation Institute, Texas A&M University System
  College Station, TX  United States  77843-3135

  National Center for Freight and Infrastructure Research and Education (CFIRE)

  University of Wisconsin, Madison
  1415 Engineering Drive, 2205 Engineering Hall
  Madison, WI  United States  53706

  American Road & Transportation Builders Association

  ARTBA Building, 1219 28th Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20007-3389

  American Public Transportation Association

  1666 K Street, NW, Suite 1100
  Washington, DC  United States  20006

  Research and Innovative Technology Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Schrank, David
  • Lomax, Tim
  • Eisele, Bill
• Publication Date: 2011-9

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 147p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Fuel consumption; Mobility; Traffic congestion; Traffic delays; Traffic mitigation; Urban areas
• Geographic Terms: United States
• Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; I73: Traffic Control;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01357938
• Record Type: Publication
• Contract Numbers: DTRT06-G-0044 (Grant)
• Files: UTC, NTL, TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Dec 1 2011 9:56AM