Since 1945, the Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) annual Highway Statistics publication has provided a comprehensive snapshot of the U.S. population's use of the roadway system. This article summarizes the history of the Highway Statistics publication. The goal of the Highway Statistics publication is to provide the most accurate statistical data available on highway infrastructure, motor fuels, driver licensing, vehicle registration, state and local finance, and commercial and personal travel. This data can reveal much about where the country stands in terms of mobility, fuel use, infrastructure condition, safety, and other critical issues. Policymakers, researchers, and academics have used the data to assess the performance and quality of the Nation's highway system and to identify potential problems and solutions. Some of these data are crucial in apportioning funds to the states for various federal highway programs. FHWA also uses these data to assess highway system performance under its strategic planning and performance reporting process. Throughout its history, Highway Statistics has evolved with the times as FHWA has strived to increase the publication's information value, improve the quality of its presentation, and expand its accessibility to the public. In an effort to cut costs and reduce the environmental impact, the manual itself has been downsized to a booklet featuring 25 to 30 of the most viewed and requested tables. The remaining tables are available at FHWA's Web site. Now available online in multiple formats such as HTML and PDF, the data in Highway Statistics are easier than ever for users to access and analyse. To illustrate the usefulness of the data contained in Highway Statistics, a sampling of data and trends on vehicle miles of travel, personal vehicle types, demographics of noncommercial drivers, and fuel consumption is included in the article. (Author/publisher)
Samenvatting