Avoiding Traffic Frustration

You’ve been there.  The morning looks promising.  You’ve managed to wake up early enough to drop the kids off at school, eat breakfast and create a fifteen-minute window of driving time to account for traffic. However, traffic still looms over your day like a delayed coffee break.  Why? Because as you drive onto the entry ramp the congestion on the highway that exits close to your job is jam-packed.   You release a sigh, not one of relief, but of remorse as your legs tense up and the radio plays commercials.  Great…Traffic… 

The average commuter lost 34 hours or a full workweek because of traffic in 2009, according to the latest Urban Mobility Report.  In larger cities, traffic increases from office parks being built on rural land and the lag of mass transit continues to add fuel to the fire.  Many individuals can make it to work in a relatively good time when traffic is smooth, but when congestion occurs, it can double or even triple a commute.  This creates a dead stop between you and your destination.  There are some solutions to ease traffic at the federal, state, and local levels:

Toll Roads- fast lanes operated by a private company within the existing freeway system.  This would allow for fluctuating, reasonable rates according to time of day and a speedy driving alternative.

GPS traffic management integration- companies that harvest traffic data to create a network that feeds to smartphones or in-dash GPS systems.  This would give individuals heads up traffic updates quickly.

Simple tweaks- Hiring more tow trucks to cruise major highway routes, which allows for faster cleared wrecks is a great way to save time.  This is already done in Houston and only adds 5 million a year for 100 tow trucks.  This tow truck army saves $25 million to $30 in congestion costs and about $30 million that could result in chain-reaction pileups, according to The Texas Transportation Institute. 

Flexible work schedules- Working from home, which can be difficult in some cases when employees are needed at the office.  Coming in early or late to avoid traffic.

Traffic is a hassle.  It takes away from productivity, family time, and just plain enjoyment.  Some tweaks to the system could provide a great alternative form American commuters.