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Only #2

Texas Transportation Institute Report Ranks Area Second Worst in Annual Hours of Delay

The Texas Transportation Institute's 2007 Annual Urban Mobility Report ranks the metropolitan Washington region second worst among the 14th largest urban regions in annual hours of delay per peak hour traveler. In 2000, the region ranked 6th in this category. (Note: All Report data is for 2005, the latest year for which this information is available.)

Other findings for the Washington areas are that since 2000:

• Population: Increased by 9%
• Freeway Travel: Increased 4 million miles/day (38 million) or 11.7% while freeway lane miles increased by only 100 miles or 4.5%.
• Arterial Travel: Increased by nearly 6 million miles per day or 16%, while system increased by 6%.
• Annual Hours of Delay (Peak Commute): 60 per year or a 15% increase over 2000 (52 hours) and 275% increase over 1982 (16 hours).
• Annual Hours of Delay (Region): 127 million per year, a 26% increase in just 5 years.
• Congested Peak Travel: 81% of rush hour mileage occurs in congested conditions, a 9% increase.
• Wasted Fuel: The price of gas isn't the only thing increasing. Wasted fuel due to congestion is up 20 million gallons per year or 29%.
• Price of Congestion: TTI estimates the bill at $2.3 billion per year for the region and $1094 per peak hour traveler based on an assigned value of personal time of $14.60 per hour.

That the metro Washington region and other major urban areas are becoming increasingly more congested is not difficult to access. As the Texas Transportation Institute Report observes,

"(Nationally) Over the 24-year period (1982-2005), less than half of the roadway that was needed to maintain a constant congestion level was added. These percentages are actually higher than the amount that was .constructed. since they also include roadway mileage that was added through shifting urban boundaries and not just new construction."

The entire report is available for download from TTI's website.

The NVTA also drafted a letter to elected officials in response to this research.