A Better Transportation System Saves Money, Lives and Time

There are a lot of things wrong with America’s transportation system: transportation in the U.S. produces more carbon dioxide than the entire economy of any nation in the world other than China, Russia and India, motor vehicle crashes kill more than 35,000 people every year and are the leading cause of death for teens, and the country continues to waste billions of taxpayer dollars on unnecessary highway projects.

Fortunately, research increasingly shows that a transformed transportation system offers tremendous benefits, including reducing emissions, saving taxpayers and consumers money, making communities safer and healthier, and boosting local economies.

A recent report by Consumers Union, the policy division of Consumer Reports, found that California’s clean transportation policies will save consumers money, improve the financial resiliency of lower income communities, and reduce the number hours Californians spend stuck in traffic, while avoiding carbon emissions and air pollution. By 2030, the report estimates:

• Households will each save up to $1,500 annually
• The lowest income households will be 40 percent less exposed to fuel price increases
• Alternative fuel vehicles will be competitive or cheaper than gasoline vehicles
• Each Californian worker will avoid 20 hours stuck in traffic annually

Other studies have found similar results:

• On New York City streets where protected bike lanes were installed, the City found that traffic injuries were reduced by as much as 20 percent, and stores saw a greater increase in retail sales than did stores in similar corridors without bike lanes.
• In looking at walkable cities around the country, one study by George Washington University School of Business and LOCUS: Responsible Real Estate Developers and Investors found that more walkable cities have higher per capita income and education levels.
• A study by the World Health Organization found that shifting private vehicle travel to biking, walking and transit can reduce health impacts from air pollution and improve health through physical activity, while improving mobility.

Reinventing our transportation system brings with it the opportunity to stave off the worst effects of global warming, reduce air pollution, save taxpayers and consumers money, make streets safer and expand access to transportation for everyone. I think that sounds pretty great – now let’s make it happen.