What’s measured This section focuses on travel delays during peak travel times – considered to be from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) calculates such figures as “person hours of annual delay per peak traveler.” The figures are calculated by dividing the number of extra travel hours by the number of peak period travelers in an urban area. The average annual travel delay per peak traveler is the yearly sum of delays per peak trip, divided by the number of travelers who started a trip during the peak period. One caveat with this indicator is that it does not cover the entire 14-county region. The figures are for the Charlotte Urban Area, which includes Charlotte, surrounding municipalities in Mecklenburg County and portions of Union and York counties. Why it’s measured TTI is a well-respected research institute that studies nearly every aspect of transportation. One of its most widely circulated reports deals specifically with urban mobility and congestion, from which this measure is taken. The annual delay per peak traveler reflects the effects of per-mile congestion as well as the length of each trip. Indicator results The Charlotte Urban Area has seen its annual delay per peak traveler dramatically increase since 1995. It nearly doubled from 1995 through 2005, rising from 23 person hours in 1995 to 45 person hours in 2005. The indicator rose each year from 1995 through 2002, when it reached 45 person hours. It has remained relatively more stable since then, fluctuating somewhat as it decreased slightly to 44 person hours in 2003 and increased to 47 person hours in 2004 before hitting 45 person hours again in 2005. It is important to keep in mind that small changes in these figures may be negligible and that it is most beneficial to view the annual delay per peak traveler in terms of multi-year trends. Evaluation Though this indicator does not cover the entire 14-county region, it provides a good representation of travel conditions and congestion in three of the most highly traveled portions of the region. As the region continues to grow, its roadways are becoming increasingly burdened. The annual delay per peak traveler reflects congestion and trip length, two of the region’s most pressing transportation issues. Connections The dramatic rise in travel time during peak periods stems directly from an increased number of vehicles on road systems whose capacity is not keeping up with growth in travel demand. Travel delays have important consequences for the region’s quality of life, leading to lost productivity, lost personal time, and an increased risk of traffic accidents. The delayed vehicles’ emissions have reduced the region’s air quality. Increased trip lengths also can be linked with the growing population in surrounding suburban counties and away from the urban core. Overall, without improvement to the transportation infrastructure — which includes alternative modes of transportation — the annual delay per peak traveler will continue to increase.
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