Still the reigning champion of traffic delays

Los Angeles and Orange counties have retained their infamous reputation as the worst region in the nation for traffic delay, although the area appears to be holding the line on congestion, a new national study shows.

But the findings of the Texas Transportation Institute were immediately challenged Tuesday by some experts who warned that the study significantly underestimates the severity of the region’s traffic congestion.

The intense debate over statistics reflects the enormous influence of chronic traffic congestion on the lives of Southern Californians and the tough policy decisions that must be made to combat it.

The Texas report says motorists in Los Angeles and Orange counties spent an average of 72 extra hours in rush-hour traffic in 2005, the subject of the current study. That’s one day shy of two full workweeks a year and is 20 hours more than in 1985. The delay represents the difference between how long it takes to travel during peak periods compared with hours when traffic flows freely.

“L.A. is still the king of congestion,” said David Schrank, co-author of the institute’s Urban Mobility Report.

In the fast-growing Inland Empire of Riverside and San Bernardino counties, the study shows, the traffic delay is dramatically worsening and is beginning to approach Los Angeles-style congestion.

Drivers in the Inland Empire wasted an average of 49 extra hours stuck in peak-period traffic during 2005. But the increase since 1985 — a stunning 40 extra hours — is twice what Los Angeles-area motorists experienced.

The increasing traffic problem in Southern California is due to a variety of concerns.

Increasing number of cars on the road

Increasing population (legal and illegal)

Cities focused on developing residential areas

High paying jobs miles away from residential areas

Limited parking leading to individuals driving around city streets looking for spots

Slower vehicles driving in the fast lanes (e.g. trucks)

Dangerous lane changes

Distracted drivers

Accidents and/or cars breaking down

Our commuter culture is out of hand. What are the state and city governments doing?

Road improvements and adding additional lanes by borrowing money through the bond process

Claiming to focus on holding drivers accountable for misusing the carpool lane

Public transportation projects

Taxing individuals who drive more and/or during certain times (an idea in the state legislator)

However, these actions do not seem to get at the heart of the problem. How do you change our commuter culture, so individuals are driving less? Or maybe they do, and I am missing the improvements.

What can the state, county, and city governments do to reduce the traffic congestion? How can the state, county, and city governments make public transportation more appealing?
See CalTrans for more information