Getting Nowhere Fast In Rush Hour

Tampa commuters sit in rush hour traffic for 45 hours a year, the equivalent of a 40-hour work week plus 5 hours overtime, or an extra week's vacation at the beach -- but Los Angeles is three times worse.

1 minute read

June 21, 2002, 4:00 PM PDT

By Chris Steins @planetizen


The Texas Transportation Institute annual study of 75 urban areas found that rush hours last longer and are more widespread. In 2000, the average urban motorist spent 62 hours, or 2 1/2 days, sitting in traffic, compared with 16 hours in 1982. The Institute analyzed data from the Federal Highway Administration and 10 state highway departments, but not everyone believes the study is accurate. The state of Washington has dropped its support for the study, saying that it does not reflect congestion-reducing improvements such as high occupancy vehicle lanes.

Thanks to Sheryl Stolzenberg

Friday, June 21, 2002 in The Tampa Tribune

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