Michigan traffic among worst in US - How bad is yours?

[yoda313]

Hello,

Here's an interesting story from www.clickondetroit.com (our local nbc affiliate):

http://www.clickondetroit.com/automotive/3713364/detail.html

Michigan Roads Among Nation's Worst Traffic Jams
Transit Advocates Estimate $400 Billion To Alleviate Problems

POSTED: 8:27 am EDT September 8, 2004
UPDATED: 8:47 am EDT September 8, 2004

WASHINGTON -- The nation's traffic problems are getting worse faster than they can be fixed even in small and medium cities like Brownsville, Texas, Pensacola, Fla. and Grand Rapids, Mich.


TRAFFIC STUDY
To learn more about the report, click here.
YOUR TURN: How Long Are You Stuck In Traffic?



And in the 85 biggest U.S. cities, snarled traffic is costing travelers 3.5 billion hours a year, up from 700 million two decades ago, according to the Texas Transportation Institute's annual Urban Mobility Report released Tuesday.

Also, a solution to ever-growing traffic jams isn't likely to come soon, transit and highway advocates say.

The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials estimates it would take federal spending as great as $400 billion over the next six years to solve traffic problems, according to a 2002 study.

"We just aren't keeping pace," said John Horsley, AASHTO's executive director. "Our capacity improvements -- new highways or transit -- are growing at 10 percent the rate needed."

Congress, though, is likely to approve billions less than what highway and transit advocates say is required.

The House has agreed to $299 billion over the next six years. The Senate approved $318 billion, but Senate sponsors say President George W. Bush probably will approve a more recent proposal of $301 billion.

While lawmakers wrangle, federal spending remains stuck at the rate it has been for the past six years -- $218 billion.

"We need action now," said William Millar, president of the American Public Transportation Association. "Congestion is only getting worse."

Using data from 1982 to 2002, the Texas Transportation Institute, part of Texas A&M University, measured just how much worse it is getting.

Over that period, the study recorded the greatest leap in congestion in Dallas, from 13 hours annually in 1982 for the average peak-period traveler to 61 hours annually in 2002, and in Riverside, Calif., from nine hours annually per rush-hour traveler in 1982 to 57 hours on average in 2002.

The average urban commuter was stuck in traffic 46 hours a year in 2002, a 187 percent increase over the 16 hours lost in 1982. In the Detroit area, the average was 53 hours.

In 54 cities, traffic jams increased 30 percent faster than roads could be built to alleviate them.

Federal Highway Administration chief Mary Peters said part of the problem is that the main source of road money -- the federal gasoline tax -- was designed to create the interstate highway system in the 1950s. Under that system, every state gets part of the federal dollars collected.

"We're not necessarily applying money where we need to relieve congestion," Peters said. "We can't say to the Montanas and the Wyomings of the world, 'You're not important.'"

Peters said new ways of paying for roads and transit systems need to be found. The Bush administration is promoting user fees, such as those that would charge motorists to drive in less-congested lanes during rush hours.

Another proposal to solve traffic problems in the short-term is to manage traffic flow better, Peters said.

Tim Lomax, the report's author, said Tampa, Fla., is a good example of a city that has eased traffic in ways other than building roads. Like many cities, it has coordinated its traffic signals, smoothed traffic flow on major roads and created teams to respond quickly to accidents. Such programs have reduced traffic delays in Tampa by 7 percent, or 3.2 million hours a year.

The report is based on data from the states and the Transportation Department.


Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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Construction in the summer also doesn't help.

Kevin

[Guest]

I'm happy to not have to sit on the Souhtfield FW every morning and afternoon.That used to suuuuuck!

[northcat_8]

Traffic in Michigan may be the worst...but the worst drivers are from FLORIDA.

Florida bastards....MOVE YOUR ASS...RIGHT LANE MFer RIGHT MFing LANE

[Guest]

Traffic in Michigan may be the worst...but the worst drivers are from FLORIDA.

Florida bastards....MOVE YOUR ASS...RIGHT LANE MFer RIGHT MFing LANE

Yep.At least in MI we ******* fly when we can. Metro Detroit Freeways are some of the fastest in th US. Averages about 80 MPH when moving.

[yoda313]

Hello,

Yep.At least in MI we ******* fly when we can. Metro Detroit Freeways are some of the fastest in th US. Averages about 80 MPH when moving.

No kidding. We in Michigan have two speeds: Lightspeed and 0 mph!!!

Kevin

[Capmaster]

Traffic isn't all that bad for me considering my work hours are now 6:00am to 3:00pm.

The drivers here are another matter. Their minds are charmingly uncluttered by thought.

[northcat_8]

Absolutely true.

Never have to wait behind a michigan driver when going up and down I-75....always move out of the way when you come up behind them, I always move out of their way.

But not those MFers from Florida....I have to quit thinking about it, I'm getting road rage sitting at a desk.

[yoda313]

Hello,

But not those MFers from Florida....I have to quit thinking about it, I'm getting road rage sitting at a desk.

Temper, Temper. Better take a few deep breaths.

Kevin



[/quote]

[northcat_8]

I'm suppose to count backwards from 10 and begin with a deep breath....or so Captain Jackass angermanagment counselor says....he's a wanker too. But I am making progress.

[Reaper88]

I-696 = autobahn

[northcat_8]

Autobahn....

[yoda313]

Hello,

I-696 = autobahn

Only in the summer. Now that schools back its clogging up. 4pm - 6pm is horrible. I could make it from the m10 merge to I 275 in under 10 minutes. When it's busy it can take a half hour or more!!!!

Kevin
[/quote]

[edsmith77]

Ya know, I used to think the DC metro area (US495) was the worst in the world.
That is until I sat in a 20 Mile backup on the M-25.!! Now that was bad.

[Tommyknocker]

I never had that much of a problem driving in the States. You'd better count your blessings, as I am about to vent about what I laughingly refer to as the mutant drivers from Hell-- some of the local Italian drivers.

They drive like they're the greatest drivers on earth. They "believe the traffic signs make wonderful decorations for corners, and see their traffic laws are in reality just "suggestions".

I remember arriving here and looking for an apartment. The landlord picked me up to show me one one of rentals, and sped right through a stop sign. I thought maybe he didn't see it, or was an irresponsible driver. I didn't like the apartment he offered, so I asked to see another landlady's apartment. Darn it if she didn't speed through the same sign.

Even though I usuallly don't like ethnic humor, the going joke around here regards their impatience:

Nanasecond -- the time between when the traffic light turns green and the Italian driver behind you blows his horn.

I have yet to see this myth exploded, but see in effect all the time.

[yoda313]

Hello,

Tommyknocker - I guess you're missing the road jams in the summer and the road freezes in the winter huh???

Kevin

[Tommyknocker]

Hello,

Tommyknocker - I guess you're missing the road jams in the summer and the road freezes in the winter huh???

Kevin

I never really had that much of a problem with Detroit traffic. I used to work at Doge Main and Warren Stamping and almost always got to work on time. The road freezes here as well (I live in northeastern Italy). I really miss the Fall. You know what I'm talking about. Man, who knew trees could change so many colors!

[CoasterCreator]

well at least I heard that Michigan does not let big rigs on the road for the morning and the evening commute ( I dont know if they still do that )

[BJ_M]

Hello,

Yep.At least in MI we ******* fly when we can. Metro Detroit Freeways are some of the fastest in th US. Averages about 80 MPH when moving.

No kidding. We in Michigan have two speeds: Lightspeed and 0 mph!!!

Kevin

THAT IS FOR SURE !

just like driving in Canada on the 400's .....

but 401 around Toronto metro area can REALLY suck --- just terrible .. busiest road in north America (true) .. 16-20 lanes and still jammed ..

of course the DVP in Toronto is a real joke also .. it is not even considered a highway anymore i bet -- just a parking lot ..

[yoda313]

Hello,

just like driving in Canada on the 400's .....

but 401 around Toronto metro area can REALLY suck --- just terrible .. busiest road in north America (true) .. 16-20 lanes and still jammed ..

Uhh... Isn't the 401 the DEATH freeway? Isn't that the one that has all the terrible accidents every year???

well at least I heard that Michigan does not let big rigs on the road for the morning and the evening commute ( I dont know if they still do that )

Hmm... Never heard of that one. We fight through trucks like everyone else. --No offense truckers!--

Kevin
[/quote]

[BJ_M]

Hello,

just like driving in Canada on the 400's .....

but 401 around Toronto metro area can REALLY suck --- just terrible .. busiest road in north America (true) .. 16-20 lanes and still jammed ..

Uhh... Isn't the 401 the DEATH freeway? Isn't that the one that has all the terrible accidents every year???

[Kevin

[/quote]


not more than anywhere else i suppose -- some huge crashes near windsor because of fog though ....

not really that many near toronto .. deaths that is ...

highway 7 and other roads are much worse for deaths i would guess ...

[tgpo]

Traffic here isn't bad. Luckily most roads have 4 lanes. That way people going either way have 2 lanes, one for old, slow people (right) and passing everyone in sight (left)

[Roundabout]

Nanosecond -- the time between when the traffic light turns green and the Italian driver behind you blows his horn.

I have yet to see this myth exploded, but see in effect all the time.

TK,

I saw this same thing when I was driving in Athens a couple of years ago. Not true all over Greece (as I'm sure Sat could tell you), but the Athens drivers are a study in impatience. I'd be sitting at a light trying to figure how to decipher the Greek street signs (I had to learn Cyrillic and Greek to drive in Europe, though it wasn't too hard), and as soon as the light turned green, HONK HONK! Geez. Wonder how many get a bloody heart attack from stressing out at signals?

I've driven all over Europe, seen a lot of bad driving that makes California drivers look good by comparison...

Speaking of California, you haven't lived till you've been stuck in a L.A. freeway traffic jam (or the dreaded "SigAlert", meaning delays of an hour or much more). Traffic just crawls here along the 10, 405, 101, and every single freeway between 7 AM to 9AM, and again the opposite direction from 3PM to 7PM. I've seen so-called "traffic" in other states, heh. Try coming here and "driving". Walking is sometimes faster. :P

Although I'd agree with Northcat, FL drivers are among the world's worst. Most of them are 80 - 90 years old with thick glasses (especially around the Tampa - St.Pete area where I used to live). Honking doesn't do any good, it just gets them flustered. Best to just try and go around them when you can and hope they don't have a heart attack at the wheel, which happens often, usually causing a horrific accident taking out entire families in the other vehicle...

[Heywould3]

Traffic in Michigan may be the worst...but the worst drivers are from FLORIDA.

Florida bastards....MOVE YOUR ASS...RIGHT LANE MFer RIGHT MFing LANE

Well 90% of the ole folks in FLA are from michigan, lol. they all retire there and drive slow for some reason. prolyl trying to wind down from driving 90+ for so many years. I too live in MI, so i know the deal. i also use to live in FLA (Clearwater) ole folks haven. the other thing about MI is that there is ALWAYS construction. 100% of the time it just moves.. the problem is that it moves from one road that i take to work to another one.. so im forever in a construction zone.. what a PITA

[VideoTechMan]

Hello,




Hmm... Never heard of that one. We fight through trucks like everyone else. --No offense truckers!--

Kevin

[/quote]

Hey now, Im a trucker....and I have to put up with the same BS as the regular car drivers do....what I hate is that most 4-wheelers think that we trucks can stop on a dime, and we cant . And I live on the west side of Michigan, near Holland (actually north of Holland) and while theres traffic issues in Detroit and Grand Rapids, I personally think the worst is in Chicago

Don't worry Yoda im not offended...its just that us truckers have to fight through cars just as bad, though I know there are some bad apples out there too.

Really soon though, im going to quit trucking once and for all.....I hate it so much. Theres just so much crap that most regular car drivers dont have an ounce of a clue of what goes on in the trucking industry.

VTM

[yoda313]

Hello,

its just that us truckers have to fight through cars just as bad

Hey I here you. I know there are plenty of idiots that swerve in front of trucks at the last second.

Kevin

[northcat_8]

I too live in MI, so i know the deal. i also use to live in FLA (Clearwater) ole folks haven. the other thing about MI is that there is ALWAYS construction. 100% of the time it just moves.. the problem is that it moves from one road that i take to work to another one.. so im forever in a construction zone.. what a PITA

Construction in Michigan? Where Last time I was in Michigan I was cruising around 87mph or so and had to get in the slow lane because I was getting passed like I was Freddie Kruger trying to hitch.

Cincinnati has been underconstruction since 1978.

You know, I could deal with drivers that drive slower than I do, I realize that I tend to drive a smidge over the speed limit from time to time...but it is them 55 mph folks in the far left lane that really get me bent out of shape. I have no issue flipping off old folks and do on a regular basis.

[Devanshu]

I hate traffic here in indy. It takes me at least 45 minutes to make a 12 mile drive.

[yoda313]

I hate traffic here in indy. It takes me at least 45 minutes to make a 12 mile drive.

Hello,

I guess the only fast driving you get done is on the race track huh????

Kevin

[LSchafroth]

Traffic in Michigan may be the worst...but the worst drivers are from FLORIDA.

Florida bastards....MOVE YOUR ASS...RIGHT LANE MFer RIGHT MFing LANE

Yep.At least in MI we ******* fly when we can. Metro Detroit Freeways are some of the fastest in th US. Averages about 80 MPH when moving.

Here in Iowa the limit is 65mph but the average is about 75. Idiots here and Missouri have no clue what the right lane is for. They also go 10mph slower then when you try to pass they can all of a sudden do 100 to keep up then wonder why you are annoyed that they are right behind you.

Someday we will get rid of this damn 65mph limit. I average 80 every day to work.

LS

[pyrate83]

Traffic in Michigan may be the worst...but the worst drivers are from FLORIDA.

Florida bastards....MOVE YOUR ASS...RIGHT LANE MFer RIGHT MFing LANE

Yep.At least in MI we ******* fly when we can. Metro Detroit Freeways are some of the fastest in th US. Averages about 80 MPH when moving.

Here in Iowa the limit is 65mph but the average is about 75. Idiots here and Missouri have no clue what the right lane is for. They also go 10mph slower then when you try to pass they can all of a sudden do 100 to keep up then wonder why you are annoyed that they are right behind you.

Someday we will get rid of this damn 65mph limit. I average 80 every day to work.

LS

I heard some places overseas will ticket ya if you're just cruising in the left lane and not passing anyone. They made that lane for passers only. They really need to enforce something like here in the US.