High Gas Prices Don't Seem to be Affecting D.C. Area Traffic.
04-30-11, 08:36 AM
#1
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
High Gas Prices Don't Seem to be Affecting D.C. Area Traffic.
I've noticed one difference between this round of $4+ a gallon gas prices, compared to the last round in the summer of 2008 (BTW, Shell regular reached $4.17 this morning in my neighborhood). Back then, local traffic was noticeably affected. The D.C. area has some of the worst and most congested traffic in the country...by several transportation studies, second or third only to the SoCal/L.A. region and other parts of CA, and traffic in this area almost NEVER really thins out, except for a brief period on Sunday mornings. So, for gas prices to significantly affect D.C. area traffic is quite an accomplishment.
But......that was 3 years ago. The area has grown, since then, in both population and traffic (the presence of both the Federal Government and numerous high-tech industries in this region means that it is not affected as much by recessions as most areas are). This time, traffic continues bumper-to-bumper, despite gas prices that are just as bad, if not worse, than 3 years ago.
How is it where you live? Some of you, of course, live in rural areas or small towns where it probably doesn't make much difference.....you don't ever have much traffic to start with. But for those of you in or near big cities (Chicago, Atlanta, San Francisco, Dallas, Houston, Etc.....) with typically bad traffic, have the high gas prices made a difference? These areas are usually more suseptable to the economic effects of inflation/recession than the D.C. area is.
But......that was 3 years ago. The area has grown, since then, in both population and traffic (the presence of both the Federal Government and numerous high-tech industries in this region means that it is not affected as much by recessions as most areas are). This time, traffic continues bumper-to-bumper, despite gas prices that are just as bad, if not worse, than 3 years ago.
How is it where you live? Some of you, of course, live in rural areas or small towns where it probably doesn't make much difference.....you don't ever have much traffic to start with. But for those of you in or near big cities (Chicago, Atlanta, San Francisco, Dallas, Houston, Etc.....) with typically bad traffic, have the high gas prices made a difference? These areas are usually more suseptable to the economic effects of inflation/recession than the D.C. area is.
04-30-11, 10:45 AM
#3
Lexus Fanatic
No improvement in weekday traffic in the high tech capital of the world (silicon valley) unfortunately. But technology has been one of the bright spots in US economy in recent months, so not expecting much relief. And alternate commuting modes are limited/useless.
04-30-11, 12:38 PM
#7
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Even if there isn't much in the way of public-transit in Silicon Valley, with all the local high-tech jobs, telecommuting (working out of one's own computer at home) should be a viable option for a number of people. So, in some cases, would be traditional carpooling. Here in D.C., Federal agencies pay out subsidies each month to employees to take public transit (I used to get them myself). In your area, don't companies do the same thing to encourage alternate-commuting modes, even if buses/subways are not available?
Trending Topics
04-30-11, 12:47 PM
#8
Lexus Fanatic
Even if there isn't much in the way of public-transit in Silicon Valley, with all the local high-tech jobs, telecommuting (working out of one's own computer at home) should be a viable option for a number of people. So, in some cases, would be traditional carpooling. Here in D.C., Federal agencies pay out subsidies each month to employees to take public transit (I used to get them myself). In your area, don't companies do the same thing to encourage alternate-commuting modes, even if buses/subways are not available?
05-01-11, 09:00 PM
#13
I have to agree with MMarshall that the traffic here is terrible and i hate it. Only thing that keeps me sane is the fact that i work for DC's largest public transportation agency and ride the system for free. But that only applies to a small fraction of my work commute. Alot of times my changing working locations are not accessible by train or bus so i would have to drive my thirsty V8 to work. With a gallon of premium in my area at around $4.30, its costing me about $90 to fill weekly if i drive a lot. Also, the fact that DC is making it hard to own/operate cars here lately is another annoying thing we have to deal with here in the nations capital. Increased parking fines, limited parking spaces, abundance of one-way streets, costly parking garages, and tow truck companies that seems to be on steriods coupled with the high gas prices makes for an unpleasant experience.
05-01-11, 10:00 PM
#14
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
In the summer of 2008, it was gas prices, more than the economy, that caused the noticeable decrease in traffic here in VA. Traffic increased once again after the price dropped way down again that fall.
