T RA NSPO RTAT I ON
KILLING TIME:
AMERICANS SPEND
40 HOURS PER YEAR
STUCK IN TRAFFIC
BY ADRIENNE MORETZ, COMMUNITY RELATIONS MANAGER,
TRANSIT SERVICES OF FREDERICK COUNTY
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A new report issued by the U.S.
Department of Transportation called
“Beyond Traffic,” acts as an “an
invitation to the American public to
have a frank conversation about the
shape, size and condition of that system
and how it will meet the needs and goals
of our nation for decades to come.”
The report, which is available at www.
dot.gov/BeyondTraf f ic, discusses the
quality of transportation in the United
States and what needs to be done to increases our D+ grading. (The quality of
our road infrastructure is ranked 16th in
the world.)
Outlined in the report are staggering
statistics; one that stands out is that, on
average, we spend over 40 hours stuck
in traffic each year. These bumperto-bumper scenarios create accidents,
delay freight and other timely deliveries,
increase stress and create an overall
sense of apprehension. Because almost
all activities are unsafe and illegal while
driving, getting stuck in traffic simply
kills time.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION
w
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www.frederickcountymd.gov/transit
@
[email protected]
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Although 40 hours spread out over a year
many not seem like a lot, that number can
be broken down into various activities
that can be much more beneficial than
sitting in a car.
40 HOURS IS THE EQUIVALENT OF:
• One typical work week
• 80, 30-minute massages
• Nearly two full days of vacation
• 40 one-hour yoga lessons
• 13, 3-hour higher education classes
• 240 miles jogged at a 10-minute pace
• 20 movie date nights
• 10 museum tours
• Biking 184 miles of the C&O Canal
• 80 dog walks
• Volunteering at the local animal
shelter 40 times
See? You could be the most educated,
relaxed, affluent, well-traveled, physically
fit and fulfilled person possible if you skip
the deadlock.
Various solutions are presented in the
report, including autonomous cars,
robotics, GPS improvements and real-time
301-600-RIDE
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information. The simplest solution of all is
to avoid the gridlock. Seek out access to
numerous forms of public transportation
in the area, including TransIT Connector
and shuttle buses, which operate Mondays
through Saturdays until 9:45 p.m.
TransIT, the MARC train and MTA
Commuter buses connect with the Metro
so that the bumper-to-bumper car travel
can be eliminated.
In addition, using ridesharing solutions
such as vanpooling gives commuters
access to HOV lanes, saving an
astounding 29 minutes EACH WAY
from Frederick County to Washington,
D.C., according to the 2013 Commuter
Connections State of the Commute
Survey. New vanpools can qualify for
a Vanpool Incentive Program subsidy,
saving a potential $500 per month for
the first six months.
Instead of killing time, why not make it
the most productive and useful part of
your day? Learn more about TransIT’s
inexpensive and safe commuting options
at www.frederickcountymd.gov/transit.
SUMMER 2015 | FREDERICK COUNTY GUIDE
51