By the Numbers
If being stuck in traffic has you tearing your hair out, you’re not alone. Modern motorists are saying no to traffic jams, road rage, and high gas prices with fewer drivers on the road today than in 1995.
We’ve pulled some interesting data about how today’s traveler gets from here to there.
212 million | The number of licensed drivers in the United States as of 2011. |
Peaking in 2005, the number of Americans behind the wheel has steadily declined. This may be due to aging baby boomers exiting the workforce, but millennials are also playing a part. Young Americans, age sixteen to thirty-four, are getting driver’s licenses in fewer numbers, illustrating a growing disinterest in driving altogether.
Source: Federal Highway Administration
806,332 | The number of commuters participating in digital car-sharing programs. |
Forget hailing a cab. Today’s travel-savvy commuter can go the distance with a swipe on a smartphone. Ride-sharing websites connect commuters to create carpools. Services like RelayRides and Zipcar go one further by providing by-the-hour car rentals, meaning you can get where you need to go in a convenient and inexpensive way.
Source: carsharing.net
10.5 billion | The number of trips taken on public transportation in 2012. |
Driven by volatile gas prices and the country’s changing demographic, the popularity of public transit rose 1.5 percent in the last year—especially among empty nesters and millennials. With savings estimated at more than $10,000 a year for public-transit users, this movement saves commuters more than the hassle of finding a parking space.
Source: American Public Transportation Association
2 mph | The average speed of a walking school bus. |
Like a carpool without the car, this invisible bus takes kids to school—one step at a time. Parents take turns walking neighborhood children to school, stopping along the way to pick up or drop off each child. It’s a great way to get more steps for you and the kids.
Source: Walk America
9.4% | The percentage of Americans who work from home at least one day per week. |
Technology has made it easier than ever to work from home without skipping a beat. Telecommuting benefits both employer and employee and can lead to increased productivity for disciplined workers, according to a Stanford University study. To evaluate if working from home makes sense for you, check out govloop.com’s telework calculator.
Source: U.S. Census
31 | The number of states with bike-sharing programs. |
Just like the Beatles, community bike pools got their start in Europe. Now jumping the pond, this trend has commuters turning in their car keys. Riding is faster than walking and eliminates the need for a parking space. Bike docking stations are often near public transit, making it easy to seamlessly get from point A to point B.
Source: bicyclinginfo.org
