HNTB America THINKS Survey Spotlights Infrastructure Debate as Record Number of Travelers Expected on Highways for Independence Day Holiday
NEW YORK (PRWEB) June 27, 2017 -- The American Automobile Association predicts a record number of Americans will hit the road for the July 4th holiday weekend. This increase in traffic emphasizes traveler concerns about our nation’s highways and bridges. According to the latest HNTB America THINKS survey which spotlights the infrastructure debate, Americans have safety and congestion concerns when driving on roads and bridges.
While 92 percent of Americans believe it is extremely or very important, to maintain existing highway and bridge infrastructure to improve highway safety and reduce congestion, just 35 percent believe their local highways and bridges are extremely or very safe, and 51 percent say they are only somewhat safe, according to the findings of a new national HNTB Corporation America THINKS public opinion survey.
The HNTB survey, “Roadway Safety and Congestion-2017” found 85 percent of Americans agree that increased traffic congestion directly contributes to highway fatalities. Also, more than six in 10 Americans (61 percent) believe decreasing traffic injuries and fatalities and decreasing traffic congestion should be the most important surface transportation priorities.
For slightly more than half of Americans (52 percent), the best way to address highway safety is through enforcement of traffic laws, such as those for speeding and drunk driving. Other approaches include encouraging automobile manufacturers to include new safety technologies as standard equipment (45 percent), use of higher safety standards when building or improving roads (44 percent). Forty-two percent believe making low-cost improvements such as signage, enhanced pavement markings and guardrails where traffic accidents are prevalent, are some simple ways to improve highway safety.
“Today, our transportation infrastructure is in trouble as a result of funding challenges that led to years of deferred maintenance,” said Ananth Prasad, PE, transportation practice leader and senior vice president at HNTB. “We need to address these funding issues and provide the resources needed to bring our current highways and bridges to a state a good repair. At the same time, our policymakers should establish the criteria needed to make smart decisions for future infrastructure investments.”
Congestion
Almost half (48 percent) of Americans believe providing more public transportation is the best way to reduce congestion. Other ideas include adding capacity to critical corridors (40 percent) and providing timely information about traffic conditions. Alternate modes of travel and alternate routes were favored by 36 percent, and providing technology, vehicles and roadways that improve traffic flow appealed to 30 percent. Making low-cost improvements to maximize current capacity was the best option for 22 percent of Americans.
“We need to look at all funding and financial options to develop solutions that can help decrease congestion and improve safety,” said Prasad. “Many states around the nation have taken initiatives to provide increased revenues, but Federal funding is also needed.”
In 2016, the U.S. was identified as the most congested developed country in the world, according to a study by the research firm INRIX. That study concluded drivers spend an average of 42 hours a year in traffic during peak hours, and calculates total nationwide costs of congestion -- including fuel, time wasted and freight costs passed on through higher prices— to be $300 billion, an average of $1,400 per driver.
Technology is one way out
The survey also found that for more than six in ten Americans (62 percent), the priority for new transportation technologies should be to reduce accidents and increase safety. Almost half of Americans (46 percent) believe the use of connected-vehicle technologies will increase highway safety and (45 percent) feel there will be fewer traffic accidents.
The HNTB survey also asked Americans about the technologies they want in their personal vehicles, and more than six in 10 (63 percent) were interested in blind-spot notification and 57 percent wanted information on road conditions. The ability to know when vehicles are too close or approaching quickly was cited by 55 percent of respondents. Other technologies chosen were autonomous automatic emergency braking (45 percent), warning that vehicle speed is dangerous for the driving conditions (39 percent) and 37 percent wanted notification of approaching emergency vehicles.
“The need for more transportation funding to rebuild the nation’s infrastructure is emphasized by the D+ grade by the American Society of Civil Engineers’ 2017 Infrastructure Report Card,” said Prasad. “That priority also was apparent from statewide referenda last November, when voters in 34 states agreed to fund local transportation projects. States are stepping up to the plate and doing their part--we need the Federal Government to do the same.”
About the survey
HNTB’s America THINKS “Highway Safety, Congestion and the State of Infrastructure-2017” survey polled a random nationwide sample of 1,182 Americans, ages 18 and older, between April 7 and April 10, 2017. It was conducted by Russell Research, using an email invitation and online survey. Quotas were set to ensure reliable representation of the entire U.S. population ages 18 and over. The margin of error is +/- 2.9 percent.
About HNTB
HNTB Corporation is an employee-owned infrastructure solutions firm serving public and private owners and contractors. With more than a century of service, HNTB understands the life cycle of infrastructure and addresses clients’ most complex technical, financial and operational challenges. Professionals nationwide deliver a full range of infrastructure-related services, including award-winning planning, design, program management and construction management. For more information, visit http://www.hntb.com.
Andrew Hoskins, HNTB Corporation, http://news.hntb.com, +1 8165272122, [email protected]
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