Transit Utilization and Traffic Congestion: Is There a Connection?
Research finds no statistically significant evidence linking increases in transit
utilization to reductions in congestion
Thomas A. Rubin
December 30, 2013
- Statistical analysis of the 74 largest urbanized areas in the U.S. over a 26-year
period suggests that increasing transit utilization does not lead to a reduction
in traffic congestion; nor does decreasing transit utilization lead to an increase
in traffic congestion.
- Policies designed to promote transit utilization can in certain instances increase
traffic congestion—as appears to have been the case in Portland, Oregon.
- Vehicle-miles traveled per freeway lane-mile is strongly correlated with traffic
congestion: the more people drive relative to available freeway capacity, the worse
congestion gets.
- Data from New York and Los Angeles indicate that the most effective way to increase
transit utilization is by reducing fares, as well as by improving basic, pre-existing
service.
This Study's Materials
Full Study: Transit Utilization and Traffic Congestion – Is There a Connection?,
PDF, 3.7 MB
Thomas A. Rubin
This page from : http://reason.org/studies/show/transit-utilization-and-congestion