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?
19. Where Are My Cars: The Latest from Seattle
Measured per person, traffic on Seattle bridges fell 12 percent in 7 years.
18. Dude, Where Are My Cars: Multnomah County
In Oregon's most populous county, there was less driving on state highways in 2009 than 1995.
17. Peak Gas Hits Oregon
Less driving means less gas tax, means less money for roads.
16. A Generational Shift In Driving?
National survey shows sharp decline in driving among younger Americans.
15. Disappearing Cars, Circa 2002
Northwest traffic started leveling out long before the recession began.
14. Washington’s 700 Million Gallon Diet
State forecasts say we've already hit peak gasoline use.
13. Washington's 20 Billion Mile Diet
State traffic forecasts have changed radically in just three years.
12. WSDOT vs. Reality
Puget Sound traffic forecasts don't even pass the laugh test.
10. Dude Where Are My Cars: Tacoma Narrows Bridge
Tolls on the Tacoma Narrows bridge are falling short.
