The more we drive, the further we move away from sustainability. An increase in the number of miles traveled by King County drivers reflects growing dependence upon non-renewable natural resources, an increased amount of time allocated to a stressful activity, and a declining ability to work, live and participate in a neighborhood or community. Gasoline-fueled vehicle use creates air and water pollution as well as traffic congestion.
Roads take up valuable land, reduce wildlife habitat and deprive the human community of open space.
Most of us live in dwellings where a small child cannot go more than a few yards from the front door without a potential brush with death. A decrease in vehicle miles traveled would reflect reduced travel distances, more walking and biking, and wider use of public transportation and carpools. The Washington State Department of Transportation calculates data on miles traveled per capita using the Department's High Performance Monitoring System and estimates annual fuel consumption based on revenues from motor fuel taxes. Fuel consumption per capita has risen more slowly over the last two decades, rising from 440 gallons per capita in 1970 to 520 gallons in 1980 and to 530 gallons in 1997, with two periods of reduced fuel consumption in the early 1980s and 1990s. In addition, Metro bus ridership has tapered off since the early 1980s, falling from an all time high of 52 annual rides per capita in 1980 to 47 in 1996.