Urban Mobility Report, 2010

摘要

Congestion is still a problem in America's 439 urban areas. The economic recession and slow recovery of the last three years, however, have slowed the seemingly inexorable decline in mobility. Readers and policy makers might be tempted to view this as a change in trend, a new beginning or a sign that congestion has been solved. However, the data do not support that conclusion. First, the problem is very large. In 2009, congestion caused urban Americans to travel 4.8 billion hours more and to purchase an extra 3.9 billion gallons of fuel for a congestion cost of $115 billion Second, 2008 appears to be the best year for congestion in recent times; congestion worsened in 2009. Third, there is only a short-term cause for celebration. Prior to the economy slowing, just 3 years ago, congestion levels were much higher than a decade ago; these conditions will return with a strengthening economy.