Congestion levels remained relatively unchanged over the past year in 19 urban areas in the United States. According to the FHWA Traffic Volume Trends report, there was slightly less travel on roads in 2011 compared to 2010. This slight decrease in traffic can ease congestion levels. Congestion levels are still generally below the levels experienced in 2007 prior to the economic downturn. While congestion levels remained relatively unchanged (or decreased slightly) from 2010 to 2011, as the economy improves, the use of operational strategies will become more important to manage increased traffic and congestion. This unique timing makes the implementation of time-saving traffic operations strategies all the more important. The benefits of successfully implemented operational strategies can include less travel time, more reliable travel times, less fuel consumed, fewer emissions, and increased safety, to name a few. These improvements benefit the movement of people and goods on the highway system. There are a number of success stories documented in this report that illustrate how some States and communities are more effectively implementing traffic operations strategies, and monitoring impacts. (Author/publisher)
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