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Report on Texas Transportation
Article By: by
Texas State Rep. Larry Phillips
Posted: 10/5/2012 Views: 2212 Impressions: 5937
Categories: Government: State, Entertainment: Travel, Politics
Posted: 10/5/2012 Views: 2212 Impressions: 5937
Categories: Government: State, Entertainment: Travel, Politics
This week, an non-profit group called TRIP produced a report on the future transportation needs of this state. TRIP is a "nonprofit organization that researches, evaluates and distributes economic and technical data on surface transportation issues. TRIP promotes transportation policies that relieve traffic congestion, improve road and bridge conditions, improve air quality, make surface travel safer and enhance economic productivity." The report reinforced earlier, different reports on the state's transportation needs, and does not provide much new information to those of us who have been involved in transportation issues for some time. However, the report does contain several statistics that are important to consider when thinking about the state's transportation issues, and this week I will highlight a few of those.
According to the study, titled "Future Mobility Needs in Texas: The Cost of Meeting the State's Need for Efficient and Safe Mobility:" * Texas' population reached approximately 25.7 million in 2011, an increase of 51 percent since 1990. The state's population is expected to grow to 37.3 million by 2030.
* From 1990 to 2010, annual vehicle-miles-of-travel (VMT) in the state increased by 44 percent, from approximately 162 billion VMT to 234 billion VMT. Based on travel and population trends, TRIP estimates that vehicle travel in Texas will increase another 35 percent by 2030, reaching approximately 304 billion VMT.
* If roadway efficiency and capacity needs are not addressed, the average congestion-related delay per commuter in Texas' urban and metropolitan areas will double in 15 years from 37 hours per year to 74 hours per year.
* The total annual statewide cost to Texas' motorists of lost time and wasted fuel due to congestion is $10.8 billion. Commuters in the state's four largest metro areas lose from several hundred to over one thousand dollars annually in the cost of lost time and wasted fuel due to congestion.
* Over the past decade, roadway maintenance and capacity in Texas have been largely funded through bond proceeds. However, all bonding programs have now been exhausted, resulting in a drop in funding levels compared to a decade ago and leaving no funds available for new construction.
For more information on this report or any other matter of state government, you can contact my office by writing to P.O. Box 2910, Austin, TX 78768-2910 or by emailing me at larry.phillips@house.state.tx.us. My district office phone number is (903) 891-7297.
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