Transportation
BY RYAN REYNOLDS
Texas drivers save time, fuel as traffic delays drop by 7%
Texas drivers have experienced shorter com- mute times and fewer traffic delays over the last five years, according to a Texas Department of Transportation Nov. 25 news release. Analysis of the Texas A&M Transportation Insti- tute’s annual report shows that TxDOT projects have reduced traffic delays by 7% since 2019, even though the total number of miles traveled state- wide has risen 7%. The TTI measures congestion on over 2,100 road segments, or about 10,000 miles of Texas roads each year. The Texas Legislature directed the TTI to begin conducting the annual study in 2009 due to growing urban road congestion. Breaking it down The study, which focuses on the state’s top 100 congested roadways, found that upgrades to key roads have saved commuters around $915 million annually in costs associated with gas and time delayed on roadways. On average, Texas drivers
save $125 annually and spend 34.5 hours less in traffic delays throughout the year. Per TxDOT, about half of the top 100 most congested roads were under construction in 2023. Diving in deeper Texas’ most congested roadway in 2024 was Houston’s Loop 610 West between I-10 and I-69. This marks the fourth consecutive year that the West Loop has held the top spot for congestion, and it cost motorists over $125 million this year, according to TTI data. Quote of note TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams said TTI’s annual report proves that the projects TxDOT officials are working on are making a difference. “We can see that our projects are having a sig- nificant impact on our roadways, helping improve efficiency and connectivity across the state,” Williams said in the release.
Texas road travel changes, 2019-23* Annual hours of delay Austin
Vehicle miles of travel +6%
-21%
+13%
Dallas
+1%
+16% +22%
Fort Worth
+3%
Houston
-9%
+3%
San Antonio
-12%
+7%
Statewide
-7%
*ASSUMES A 20-MILE COMMUTE, FIVE DAYS A WEEK SOURCE: TEXAS A&M TRANSPORTATION INSTITUTE/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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