With implications on the narrative of peak driving and on the economic forces that drive the country, a new study reveals that some statewide populations began driving less as early as 1992.
In research presented at the annual meeting of the Transportation Research Board, Timothy J. Garceau, a Ph.D. candidate in geography at the University of Connecticut, and professors Carol Atkinson-Palombo and Norman Garrick, revealed new data about the decline of vehicle miles traveled (otherwise known as peak driving).
Emily Badger reports on the study, which produced significant findings by shifting analysis of vehicle miles traveled from the national to the state level: "Washington state experienced 'peak car travel' all the way back in 1992, and Nevada, Idaho, Kentucky, Oregon, Rhode Island and Virginia all did before the new millennium. By this measure, peak car happened in D.C. in 1996."
Badger shares numerous data from the study, before noting another conclusion of note revealed by the study: "Over this same time…car travel has decoupled from economic activity in many parts of the country."
Read the full story: The American decline in driving actually began way earlier than you think
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