Rough Roads cause extra vehicle operating costs.
Press Release Summary:
According to AASHTO and TRIP report titled "Rough Roads Ahead: Fix Them Now or Pay for It Later," one-third of nation's major highways are in poor or mediocre condition. Roads in urban areas, which carry 66% of traffic, are in much worse shape. Report points out that traffic growth has far outpaced highway construction, particularly in major metropolitan areas. Number of miles driven jumped more than 41% from 1990-2007, from 2.1 trillion miles in 1990 to 3 trillion in 2007.
Original Press Release:
Rough Roads Costing Motorists Hundreds More Per Year
(Dearborn, MI)-Driving on rough roads costs the average American motorist approximately
$400 a year in extra vehicle operating costs. Drivers living in urban areas with populations over 250,000 are paying upwards of $750 more annually because of accelerated vehicle deterioration, increased maintenance, additional fuel consumption, and tire wear caused by poor road conditions.
Rough Roads Ahead: Fix Them Now or Pay for It Later, a report released today by the
American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and TRIP, reports that one-third of the nation's major highways, including Interstates, freeways, and major roads, are in poor or mediocre condition. Roads in urban areas, which carry 66 percent of the traffic, are in much worse shape.
"The American people are paying for rough roads multiple times," said Kirk T. Steudle, Director of the Michigan Department of Transportation, at a news conference held to release the report. "Rough roads lead to diminished safety, higher vehicle operating costs, and more expensive road repairs. It costs $1 to keep a road in good shape for every $7 you would have to spend on reconstruction. It's another drag on the economy."
The report uses the latest government statistics to show pavement conditions in all 50 states and vehicle operating costs by state and urban areas. The report also finds that:
o 30 to 60 percent of the roads in 20 of the nation's largest urban areas are in poor condition.
o 36 percent of the roads in the Detroit urban area are in poor condition. In contrast, the Los Angeles area and surrounding communities have 64 percent of their roads in poor condition.
o 61 percent of rural roads are in good condition.
o 72 percent of the Interstate Highway System is in good condition, but age, weather
conditions, and burgeoning traffic are eroding ride quality.
"Our nation has invested $1.75 trillion in our public highway system over the past 50 years," said John Horsley, AASHTO Executive Director. "We hope Congress will make it possible for the federal government to sustain its share of the increased investment needed to keep America's roads in good condition. If not, it will cost the American people billions more later."
The report points out that traffic growth has far outpaced highway construction, particularly in major metropolitan areas. The number of miles driven in this country jumped more than 41 percent from 1990 to 2007 - from 2.1 trillion miles in 1990 to 3 trillion in 2007. In some parts of the country, dramatic population growth has occurred without a corresponding increase in road capacity, placing enormous pressure on roads that, in many cases, were built 50 years ago.
"The federal stimulus program is providing a helpful down payment towards repairing some of the nation's rough roads," said Frank Moretti, TRIP's Director of Policy and Research. "But it will take a significant long-term boost in investment by all levels of government to provide Americans with a smooth ride."
The full report is available at roughroads.transportation.org, along with charts, photographs, and examples from states working to improve their highway systems. Rough Roads is part of Are We There Yet? We Can Be!, AASHTO's effort to build awareness and support for the nation's transportation system.
The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) is the "Voice of Transportation" representing State Departments of Transportation in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. AASHTO is a nonprofit, nonpartisan association serving as a catalyst for excellence in transportation. TRIP is a national transportation research organization that promotes transportation policies to relieve traffic congestion, improve road and bridge conditions, improve air quality, make highway travel safer and enhance economic productivity
