What’s measured This section targets the percentage of workers 16 or older not working at home who commute more than 25 minutes. This information is available from the U.S. Census Bureau’s decennial census and most recently available from the U.S. Census American Community Survey. Unfortunately, the American Community Survey does not currently include Anson, Stanly, Lancaster and Chester counties; therefore, the 2005 regional numbers are for the 10-county American Community Survey portion of the region only. Why it’s measured The percentage of workers commuting more than 25 minutes to work provides information related to commuting patterns and capacity of transportation infrastructure. Looking at workers in the region who commute more than 25 minutes also gives a sense of the number of workers whose commute time exceeds national and state averages, which are close to 25 minutes. (Nationally, the average commute time was 24.3 minutes in 2003. For North and South Carolina, the figures were 23.2 and 23.0, respectively — which put the states 22nd and 23rd among the 50 states and the District of Columbia.) Indicator results In the 10-county portion of the region, the percentage of workers commuting more than 25 minutes in 2005 was 41.5. This represents a slight decrease from 2000 (41.8 percent) but is still much higher than the 33.9 percent in 1990. County figures for 2005 vary from a low of 28.1 percent in Catawba to a high of 53.7 percent in Union. The region had a higher percentage of workers commuting more than 25 minutes in 2005 than both North and South Carolina, at 37.0 percent and 37.5 percent, respectively. In 1990, the region’s indicator value (33.9 percent) was below the national average (36.0 percent) but above the two states’ averages (31.9 percent for South Carolina and 29.4 percent for North Carolina). The 2000 and 2005 numbers for the region are now slightly higher than national numbers while the two states’ numbers have remained below the national averages: for 2000, the national average was 40.3 percent of workers commuting more than 25 minutes; for 2005, the national average was 41.0 percent. Evaluation The number of workers in the region commuting 25 minutes or more increased dramatically between 1990 and 2000. As the region continues to grow, the number of people commuting more than 25 minutes will increase unless changes are made. This increase in commute times can be moderated by alternative modes of transportation, which include high occupancy vehicle lanes, bike lanes, light rail, increased bus service, park-and-ride services and greenways. Many of these alternatives are already being implemented in some form or another, and can help to limit further worsening of commuting times. Connections Longer commute times are connected to increased traffic congestion, and congestion contributes to vehicle emissions and a resulting decline in air quality. The more time spent commuting takes away from time on the job, at home and in personal pursuits. All of these aspects can have detrimental effects on the economic, environmental, health and social well-being of the region.
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