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Small Decrease in Driving = Huge Decrease in Congestion
Has anyone ever tried to tell you that there are too few bicyclists to reduce traffic congestion in any noticeable way? Well, new data shows that it doesn’t take large reductions in driving to see major improvements in traffic flow.
In 2011, total vehicle miles traveled (VMT) in the United States declined 1.2%. That means, due to the economy and other factors, Americans drove slightly less in 2011 than they did in 2010. But what makes that remarkable is the striking result: Congestion decreased 30%.
- INRIX Traffic Scorecard
Bicyclists are everywhere, but we tend to flock to large dense cities – many of the places faced with the most congested roads and most likely to benefit from commuters leaving their cars at home in favor of their bikes.
Don’t worry if you’re not a bike commuter. It’s not just work trips that contribute to congestion. About half of all peak-hour trips are not work-related. If you’re riding instead of driving during morning and afternoon rush, you’re helping to ease congestion.
- Talking Traffic 2011, NHTS, FHWA, Office of Highway Policy Information
Among other things, this is useful information for making the case to use Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Improvement funds for bicycling and walking projects.
Darren Flusche
League Policy Director
Flusche joined the League in April 2009 and has a B.A. in history from Syracuse University and a Masters of Public Administration with a concentration in public policy analysis from New York University.
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June 5th, 2012 at 9:05 am
If drivers would just chill out they would realize cyclists are doing them a favor. In my case, I would much rather have a person riding a bike on the road than driving a car with no insurance or the paltry state mandatory minimum. I think people are afraid that if cycling gets to be acceptable transportation, they will be expected to ride a bike, too, so it is better for to keep everyone from riding.
June 5th, 2012 at 9:47 am
There has been quite a bit of computer modelling of traffic jams and how they are created. I think density is definitely a factor. Google “computer modelling of traffic congestion” and get a boatload of hits. A couple examples.
http://www.theatlantic.com/past/docs/issues/2000/12/budiansky.htm
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn13402-shockwave-traffic-jam-recreated-for-first-time.html
June 5th, 2012 at 4:02 pm
A motorist will pass a single cyclist in less space and time than it will take to pass a relatively slow moving vehicle.
June 5th, 2012 at 8:28 pm
I can’t believe that people found a way to dispute this: school year factor: road construction factor etc… I say just figure out how many bikes will fit in the space of one car/suv and do the numbers yourself.
June 6th, 2012 at 9:03 am
[...] Slight Rises in Cycling Tied to Huge Reductions in Congestion (LAB) [...]
June 6th, 2012 at 11:06 am
[...] Bicyclists are everywhere, but we tend to flock to large dense cities – many of the places faced with the most congested roads and most likely to benefit from commuters leaving their cars at home in favor of their bikes. [Continue reading ...] [...]