For Those Who Drive More Than Fly

September 9 2009 by Chris McGinnis

freeway-traffic-wr.jpgBest Western's most frequent guests are business travelers who drive more than they fly on business trips. As a matter of fact, 63 percent say that less than 10 percent of their business trips over the last year involved air travel.

So when I read about a fascinating recent study on traffic gridlock, I knew I had to pass along some key findings here. The National Traffic Scorecard was produced by INRIX, a company that provides traffic and navigation information for online traffic sites, and a provider of GPS devices that road warriors use every day.

Some snippets:

  • After a period of decline due to the stagnating economy in 2008, traffic congestion was on the rise in the second quarter of 2009 due to signs of economic recovery and lower fuel prices. Delays due to federal stimulus package roadway construction projects are also contributing to an overall increase in congestion.

  • Las Vegas experienced a big increase in congestion due to major construction along I-15, one of the city's major freeways. Baton Rouge, La., which is growing due to the influx of new residents displaced by Hurricane Katrina, saw a big increase in congestion, as did Washington, DC.

  • Cities that enjoyed a significant decrease in congestion include: Ogden, Utah; Bridgeport, Conn; San Francisco, San Diego and Chicago.

  • Since I have been stuck here several times before, this stat grabbed my attention: the Cross Bronx Expressway (I-95) in New York City remains the worst bottleneck in the nation--for ninety hours each week, traffic crawls at an average of about 11 mph.

  • Don't like to share the road with big rigs? Roads that serve as thoroughfares through the middle of the country such as I-40, I-75, I-81 and I-35 in states like Arkansas, Georgia, Tennessee and Texas show more long-haul freight usage (trucks) than other roads.

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