Gas Prices, Traffic, and Freeway Speeds in Los Angeles

This article considers the impact of gasoline prices on freeway speeds and congestion. The authors used detailed data on traffic speeds for 12 Los Angeles freeway routes from 2001 to 2006 to investigate aggregate behavioral response to gasoline prices. They hypothesize that, if traffic is free flowing, drivers would slow to more fuel-efficient speeds as the price of gasoline rises. However, they find little evidence that drivers respond to increased fuel costs by slowing down. When congestion constrains traffic flow, freeway speeds should rise with gasoline price. The study found that a $1.00 increase in price per gallon raises average freeway speeds by approximately 7% during rush-hour periods. The authors also present a new method that can be used to calculate the short-run vehicle miles traveled demand elasticity during rush hour. They conclude that while people may make large changes in behavior (for example, buying more fuel-efficient cars, taking fewer trips), they do not make small, marginal changes in driving behavior.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00346535
• Authors:
  • Burger, Nicholas E
  • Kaffine, Daniel T
• Publication Date: 2009-8

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 652-657
• Serial:
  • Review of Economics and Statistics
  • Volume: 91
  • Issue Number: 3
  • Publisher: Harvard University Press
  • ISSN: 0034-6535

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Automobile drivers; Behavior; Economics; Fuel conservation; Fuel consumption; Prices; Traffic congestion; Traffic speed; Travel behavior; Travel demand
• Subject Areas: Economics; Highways; Safety and Human Factors; I10: Economics and Administration; I70: Traffic and Transport;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01340927
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: May 26 2011 10:29AM