Traffic congestion dips as economy plummets

By William Atkins
Thursday, 26 February 2009 21:51

Science - Energy

Some of the most interesting conclusions  from the report follow below (A more comprehensive lists is found on the earlier-mentioned website.):

“San Diego [California] saw the second largest decrease in congestion (tied with Detroit).”

“Minneapolis [Minneasota] made the top 10 list for the first time (up from 13th) replacing Atlanta [Georgia] which dropped to 12th.”

 “National congestion was lower every hour of every day in 2008 versus the year prior, 30 percent lower on average depending on the hour and day.”

“Friday from 5 to 6 p.m. remained America’s most congested hour of the week, although the Travel Time Index (TTI) fell 23 percent."

"Thursday from 5 to 6 p.m. ranked as the next most congested hour.”

“Wednesday saw the biggest drop in congestion, with a 31 percent overall decrease in peak hours.”

For more information on traffic congestion, and ways to relieve such jams, go to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) website “Focus on Congestion Relief.”

The FHWA website offers some effective ways to reduce congestion on U.S. highways.

And, remember folks, this "temporary" reduction in traffic congestion will not last.

The slowed and dragging economy will eventually right itself and we will once again have to contend with traffic snarls and long-waits in traffic as we go back and forth from work and try to navigate between heavily populated areas during other times of travel.

So, it is best to correct these problems now, rather than wait for them to build up to again cause big waits on our roads and highways, which slows us down, reduces our efficiency, and wastes precious fuel and gasoline.