The Texas Transportation Institute today released its highly regarded congestion report, 2010 Urban Mobility Report, which looked at road congestion in 439 United States urban areas.
As in past years, the data overwhelmingly shows the importance of public transportation in relieving congestion. In fact, the report's improved methodology indicates that public transportation has an even greater role in reducing congestion than previously thought.
The 2010 Urban Mobility Report states that without public transportation services, Tampa Bay (Tampa-St. Petersburg) travelers would have suffered an additional 1,041,343 hours of delay and consumed 676,800 gallons of fuel. In summary, use of public transportation in Tampa Bay provided $23,835,882 in congestion cost savings.
"This report provides concrete evidence that continued investment and support of public transportation is necessary to reduce traffic congestion in this area," said David Armijo, HART CEO. "Less traffic congestion means more time with family and friends, and more money in each of our pockets."
The Tampa Bay area was ranked No. 36 for highest savings in hours of delay due to public transportation use in 2009 among the 439 urban areas that were studied as part of this report.
To view the 2010 Urban Mobility Report, visit: http://mobility.tamu.edu/ums/
For more information about how to use HART, including maps, fare prices, and travel training, visit www.goHART.org
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