Twin Cities ranks second in rate of traffic congestion growth

St Paul Pioneer (de)Press ^ | 6/20/02 | TONI COLEMAN

[Valin]

The average Twin Cities commuter spent 54 hours sitting in rush hour traffic in 2000 and in the process burned up $1,050 in wasted time and fuel, according to the Texas Transportation Institute’s 2002 Urban Mobility Report, an annual study of traffic congestion.

The metro region placed second, tied with Atlanta and behind San Antonio, in a ranking of cities that experienced the highest rate of congestion growth. The institute, part of Texas A&M University, used 2000 data, the latest available, to determine how roadways in 75 cities were performing.

The usually renowned study, a trusted resource for transportation policymakers, is under fire this year because researchers don’t take into account ramp metering and other traffic management techniques transportation officials use to maintain traffic flow. Washington state recently withdrew its financial support for that reason. Because the study doesn’t include the impact of congestion management technique, the study fails to show whether those investments are paying off.

Since Minnesota reportedly has the second largest installation of ramp meters, state officials here could probably raise the same concerns as Washington, but won’t. The Minnesota Department of Transportation will continue to help finance the study with a $50,000 annual contribution.

Despite the study’s limitations -- it doesn’t use real-time data because not all cities collect it -- officials say the report is a reputable indicator of how metro area freeways are performing, how the region compares to like-sized communities, and what investments are needed to improve mobility. The general findings, which unsurprisingly show that congestion is getting worse here, is consistent with other studies, said Tim Henkel, a Minnesota Department of Transportation program manager and local representative to the Texas study.

MnDOT doesn’t want to back out now because the Texas researchers are planning to include data critics say is lacking. For instance, the institute this fall will release a mobility report based on real-world data from cities that collect that information.

"In this region, the trend of growth is increasing more rapidly than expected. Congestion is bad. It looks like given our funding source, that situation is going to get worse," Henkel said. Year after year, state lawmakers have failed to agree on a comprehensive transportation funding package. As a result, MnDOT announced last week funding constraints would require it to delay 163 road projects by an average of three years.

[Valin]

WE'RE #2, WE'RE #2! Take that LA. Don't worry when the choo choo train starts all will be solved.

[terilyn]

LOL! Well, I know I make my fair contribution. I spend an hour and a half minimum commuting each day. That's when I leave early and it hasn't rained/snowed/too sunny/stalled car on the shoulder/stupid message light on that says "Buckle Up".

I can hardly wait for Best Buy to open that new corporate headquarters and add 3000 employees and their commute to the already wonderful traffic flow on 494...

I'm just positive that light rail is going to solve all of these problems. [off/sarcasm]

[Slainte]

We're not quite there, but give it a few more years. Teddy and the Met Council will make this a liveable community with yet.

The quality of life is what keeps us here. Being taxed into prosperity, and spending more and more time trapped in traffic. Yep, it's the quality of life...

[Valin]

Sounds like you need to "Make a move".

[terilyn]

I TRY! My choices are 494, (a parking lot 24/6 through the Bloomington strip), 169, (ALWAYS under construction), 100...love that three lanes, HA fooled ya, now it's two lanes, oh never mind now it's three, or maybe 7, (stop light city).

I figure I can either live in the mess or fight it twice a day and then live in relative peace and quiet once I get home. (Two stop lights in the entire city and they're a block apart)!

So me and Joe and real tight. I think I'd go nuts if I didn't have him to listen to during that afternoon drive/idle time.

[Brimack34]

Atlanta was in the top 5 and they have lots of choo choo's.
It really worked there.

[Valin]

Oh but it will be different here. It will really work (yeah right and pigs have wings)

[JLO]

terilyn, I hear ya! I, too, used to have a horrible commute, from a one-stoplight town down to Golden Valley. Took me 1.5 hours each way on the best of days. Joe was my drive-home buddy, too!

Did you ever listen to "Let the blind man drive you home"? He was a riot! He's no longer living, but I sure loved listening to him on the way home a few years ago. Sure miss his humor!

(I no longer do the long drive; semi-retired way up in the northwoods and telecommute from here.)

JLO

[terilyn]

No, I never heard, "Let the blind man drive you home". Sounds fun though!

I've got a few years to go before I can kiss the rat-race goodbye forever. Good for you!

[JLO]

terilyn, below is a person's site who must have also been a fan, obviously...

In the photo, Don Vogel is the rather large guy at the microphone with no instrument.

Too bad you never got to hear him - I used to laugh all the way home (when I snuck out early, lol)!

I've tried to find a CD that KTSP put out back then of his highlights, to no avail...

Hope it's not that long before you can kiss your terrible cummute off too!

JLO

http://www.wendyv.com/music/vo gel.htm