Americans are driving more, again. Streetsblog dares to challenges the Federal Highway Administration on whether that's data worth celebrating.
"This June, Americans drove 8.7 billion more miles than last June, according to [the Federal Highway Administration], a 3.5 percent increase. Total mileage in 2015 is on pace for a new high — finally 'beating the previous record' of 1.5 trillion vehicle miles set 2007," according to an article by Angie Schmitt.
Schmitt's coverage reacts with some shock to the barely contained "glee" implied in the FHWA's reporting of the statistics via press release on August 20. Schmitt's opinion on what the trend of increased driving really means: "more traffic overwhelming city streets, slowing down buses, and spewing pollutants into the air."
Schmitt's concern, however, is that the FHWA’s press release reads like "the explicit goal of American transportation policy is simply to double traffic mileage again by 2050." That assumption, precedes an appeal for "increased transportation investment" in the press release.
So the question is: How should the FHWA, and other federal transportation agencies, frame the news that Americans are driving more and farther than ever before?
FULL STORY: FHWA Gleefully Reports That Driving Is Rising Again
Learning from the National Household Travel Survey
The Federal Highway Administration's National Household Travel Survey (NHTS) shows that transit use is rising and household vehicle miles traveled are declining—but other data sources paint a more ambiguous picture.
Research Shows More Roads = More Driving
A national study shows, once again, that increasing road supply induces additional vehicle travel, particularly over the long run.
U.S. Miles Driven Rose by 1 Percent in 2024
Americans drove a total of 3.279 trillion miles in 2024, but per capita VMT stayed the same.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network
The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.
Chicago Approves Green Affordable Housing Plan
The Mayor’s plan calls for creating a nonprofit housing corporation tasked with building affordable housing that meets Green Building standards.
E-Scooter Parking: A Guide
How smart planning — and ample designated parking — can end conflicts over shared scooters.
‘It’s Been 50 years’: Public Transit Law Passes in Montana
Legislation would fix transportation district issue, allow for greater reach on city bus routes.
Top 10 Tech-Ready Cities
An index ranks U.S. cities based on their preparedness for the ‘smart city future.’
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
City of Moorpark
City of Tustin
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions