A trip that should take 10 minutes takes 30. When you finally arrive, you're late, frazzled, and practically asphyxiated from exhaust fumes. Everyone suffers because of inefficient traffic flow. In opinion surveys, residents of major cities frequently cite traffic as the number one problem facing their communities. And it's more than just irritating.
Traffic congestion exacts a high cost.
Estimates of total nationwide congestion costs, including all U.S. communities, are higher still. Society must pay many of these costs. Local governments can use a variety of cost-effective options to improve street operations and traffic flow. These options are often preferable to expensive, lengthy, and disruptive road construction. Several communities are already paving the way, to the benefit of their local economy and environment.