PCA News
Report Links Traffic Congestion to Wasted Fuel and Greater Carbon Dioxide Emissions
Inadequate infrastructure investment has economic and environmental impacts, says Portland Cement Association
"What gets lost in the debate over high fuel prices and suspending the gas tax is infrastructure spending — how it affects highway capacity, traffic congestion, fuel use, and even carbon dioxide emissions," says PCA president/CEO
Population increases will put even more pressure on roads and highways. By the year 2032, the U.S. population is expected to reach 363.5 million persons, adding an estimated 49 million drivers and 58 million vehicles to America's highways. Wasted fuel from traffic delays will more than double, to 6.5 billion gallons. Carbon dioxide emissions traced to congestion will increase to 60 million tons. The report projects that without improvements to our roads and highways, wasted time and higher transportation costs will result in a cumulative economic impact of
Just to maintain our current levels of congestion while accommodating population growth, we will need 400,000 additional lane miles of highways by 2032.
As the U.S. population grows, there is an increased demand to construct housing, buildings and roads. And as cities and states strive to balance these construction needs with critical environmental priorities, the use of sustainable materials is imperative.
"Concrete plays an important role in cutting fuel consumption, a top-of-mind concern of all motorists as gas prices continue to soar," explained McCarthy, "Studies have shown that vehicles can run more efficiently on concrete highways, reduce fuel costs. In addition, concrete roads are more durable, reducing the congestion and expense of frequent resurfacing."
Added lane miles of highways could reduce congestion and wasted fuel significantly. Without an increased emphasis on infrastructure spending, traffic congestion will worsen leading to escalations in CO2 emissions, wasted fuel and overall cost to the nation's economy.
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Sources: Urban Mobility Report, Federal Highway Administration, Bureau of Census, Portland Cement Association
SOURCE Portland Cement Association
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