Gas prices, commuting time, pollution – They're a real drag
Highways choked by traffic, longer commute times, $4 gas, and metropolitan pollution all add up to a real problem in U.S. metropolitan areas, according to a newly released IBM survey.
The IBM Commuter Pain Survey's results probably resonate with commuters in cities around the globe, but were focused on U.S. drivers. IBM's Institute for Electronic Government surveyed 4,000 drivers around the country.
"Traffic is choking our cities and our economy, causing a significant drag on productivity and reduced quality of life," said John Nyland, Managing Partner, IBM Public Sector, and responsible for the company's Intelligent Transportation initiatives.
Drivers in Los Angeles suffer the most from commuting, but wherever they drive, commuters in U.S. metropolitan areas are fed up with longer commutes, higher fuel prices and increased pollution.
Among its findings:
- 25 percent will reconsider driving if fuel prices near $4.00 per gallon (and 46 percent, if prices near $4.50).
- 19 percent say traffic has had a negative impact on work or school performance, and that reaches 27 percent in Los Angeles (the highest).
- 45 percent report increased stress (above 50 percent in Dallas, Los Angeles and Miami), and 28 percent reported increased anger (36 percent in Los Angeles, the highest).
- 63 percent say traffic has gotten worse in the last three years, and 24 percent think it has gotten much worse.
- 27 percent report that traffic has been so bad within the last three years that they turned around and went home. This figure is highest in Miami (33 percent) and Los Angeles (32 percent).
"To reverse this trend, we need a systemic approach that incorporates everything from new congestion management technologies to effective work-at-home programs that can ultimately improve environmental and economic conditions in our cities," Nyland said.
To learn more about the study, you can download these reports: