National VMT Declines in 2000
According to end-of-year data recently released by the Federal Highway
Administration, national vehicle miles traveled dropped last year
for the first time in twenty years. Although the decrease was a mere .1%,
the negative percentage is remarkable given the average 2-5% annual increase
that has persisted since 1980. Following a three year trend of slowing
VMT growth, the downturn is particularly of interest in that, unlike declines
of the 1970's, it did not accompany a recession or oil shortage. Instead,
1997-2000 were marked by a healthy economy and sustained, rapid growth
in transit ridership (MTR
#303).
