Predictions and perceptions defining the traffic congestion problem

The purpose of this paper is to provide a better understanding of the traffic congestion problem as seen through direct measurement and through the results of public opinion polls. Although it is recognized that traffic congestion is an escalating problem in many metropolitan areas, there is no agreement on its present or forecasted magnitude nationwide. Public opinion polls, however, have been cited to support the contention that traffic congestion is considered to be a major problem by many urban, suburban, and even rural residents in various parts of the country. A November 1989 U.S. General Accounting Office study of the nature and severity of traffic congestion determined that various methods to quantify traffic and road conditions are available and broadly used, but that the experts do not have a standardized definition or method of measuring traffic congestion. Supporting research also found that polls indicating high levels of public concern about traffic congestion are not widespread or uniform, but tend to be concentrated in areas experiencing the most change in driving conditions. It also appears that opinions regarding the severity of the congestion problem are not only based on experience with traffic delays, but also on perceptions of the broader yet less quantifiable threats to economic productivity, environmental quality, and human stress levels. The author concludes that, from a national perspective, the traffic congestion problem highlights traditional differences between urban and rural constituencies, as well as the tradeoffs that must be made among competing public concerns. And, although counting vehicles on a road seems straightforward, reaching agreement as to what constitutes congestion can be problematic.