Changing Patterns in Traffic Volume

Posted by: Nate Berg
Thanks to: John Posey

23 February 2008 - 9:00am

In recent decades, traffic volumes have risen rapidly throughout the United States. But a report by the East-West Gateway Council of Governments argues that growth rates in traffic volume may be tapering off.

"Traffic growth in the eight-county region slowed to an average annual rate of less than 1 percent between 2000 and 2006."

"That's down from 2.3 percent average growth in the 1990s, and 4.3 percent growth in the 1980s."

"The reasons behind the phenomenon have to do with the area's demographics: The region's population is aging, households are getting smaller and the percentage of women in the work force has stabilized. The price of gasoline had little, if any, effect on traffic, the analysis shows."

Full Story: Traffic plateau clouds planning

Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch, February 19, 2008

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