San Antonio commuters might be pleasantly surprised to find their daily travels becoming less stressful. Recent data from the Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) suggests a positive shift in the city's traffic, which could result in fewer car accidents.
The 2023 Urban Mobility Report reveals a noteworthy 10% decrease in San Antonio's traffic congestion between 2019 and 2022. This improvement outpaces other major Texas metropolitan areas. Houston and Dallas are also experiencing reductions, while Austin's congestion levels remained relatively stable.
How is Texas's decrease in traffic compared to the rest of the nation?
David Shrank, a senior research scientist at TTI, points out that Texas cities have shown remarkable resilience compared to urban centers elsewhere in the country. He notes that many Texas urban areas are faring better now than before the pandemic. This trend isn't universally observed across the United States.
Victor Boyer, who leads the San Antonio Mobility Coalition, acknowledges the pandemic's role in altering traffic patterns. However, he also points out the impact of ongoing infrastructure projects. He cites the improvements along Highway 281 as a prime example of improved northbound traffic flow.
"There's many other corridors you can look at where congestion is much better than say, it was a decade or two," said Boyer.
Boyer also stresses the importance of maintaining momentum in infrastructure development to continue this positive trend. He argues that sustained investment in road projects is important for further reducing congestion and improving mobility throughout the city.
While rush hour may never disappear entirely, San Antonio's proactive approach to traffic management provides a glimmer of hope for smoother, less stressful journeys in the years to come.
How can a decrease in traffic congestion affect road safety?
A decrease in traffic congestion could have a positive and negative impact on road safety in Texas. For example, it could result in fewer sudden stops, road rage incidents, and more predictable traffic patterns. On the other hand, less traffic can result in increased speed. Drivers who speed often have less time and distance to avoid a collision.
Additionally, speed limits in Texas reach as high as 80 mph. The greater the speed, the greater damage can occur during a collision. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, roughly 12,151 people died in speed-related car accidents throughout the United States in 2022. Pedestrians and bicyclists are particularly at risk of serious and fatal crashes caused by speeding.
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