Sightline Series

Dude, Where Are My Cars?

danielle scott, flickr. modified.

Throughout the Northwest, transportation planners predict traffic volumes will grow and grow. And they think we need to build massive, multi-billion dollar road projects–including Portland’s Columbia River Crossing, Vancouver’s Gateway Program, and Seattle’s deep-bore tunnel and 520 bridge–to deal with the inexorably rising tide of traffic.

But over the past decade, actual traffic trends have bucked predictions. In some places, traffic volumes have held steady; in others, they’re falling. This conundrum has got Sightline blogger Clark Williams-Derry asking, “Dude, where are my cars?” (Photo credit: danielle scott, flickr, modified)

Posts on Dude, Where Are My Cars?

28. Dude, Where Are My Cars: I-405

Through central Bellevue, traffic on I-405 has been flat for a decade.
and on July 2, 2012 at 2:09 pm

27. Traffic Forecasting: A Blast from the Present

Reliably-wrong traffic models are so passe...right?
and on June 28, 2012 at 9:38 am

26. Traffic Forecasting: A Blast from the Past

How traffic forecasts end up at odds with reality.
on June 25, 2012 at 10:46 am

25. Dude, Where Are My Cars: Eastern Washington

Flat-lining traffic isn't just an urban phenomenon.
on June 1, 2012 at 6:41 am

24. Vehicle Travel, Rising and Falling

Federal data shows a short-term uptick---but a longer-term slide.
on April 30, 2012 at 4:14 pm

23. How Not To Forecast Traffic

How a Washington State transportation council misuses statistics.
on April 9, 2012 at 10:55 am

22. Young People Are Driving Less

And so are the baby boomers.
on April 5, 2012 at 11:40 am

21. Feds Say: Traffic Is Declining

Through November, 2011 was the lowest-traffic year since 2003
on February 7, 2012 at 2:30 pm

20. ODOT Running on Empty

Agency offers a clear-eyed look at its own budget woes.
on November 17, 2011 at 5:41 pm

19. Where Are My Cars: The Latest from Seattle

Measured per person, traffic on Seattle bridges fell 12 percent in 7 years.
on November 1, 2011 at 12:56 pm