In the 1980’s, vehicle miles travelled (VMT) per capita rose substantially along with the growth in car ownership and two-earner households.  In the 90’s, VMT per capita leveled off and in recent years there has been a slight decline, indicating a positive shift in transportation behaviors. 

Still, according to the Puget Sound Regional Council, single occupant vehicles account for 44 % of all trips made in 2006.  When combined with trips by high occupancy vehicles, 84 % of trips in the region were made by car.  Moreover, because of population growth, people in the region drove 900,000 more miles each weekday in 2006 compared to the previous year.    

The bright light on the horizon is that public support for investing in alternative transportation capacity is growing.   Service capacity is steadily increasing and our choices are greater than ever with the addition of light rail and more bus service hours into the transportation mix.    

While car use is now increasing at a slower rate than population and employment, the trend was much different in the 1980s.  From 1980 to 1992, the region’s automobile travel surged 78.5 %, far greater than population and employment increases. 

More recently, the lack of affordable housing has played a dominant role in increasing car use.  As people are driven to search for housing at an ever increasing distance from their jobs, their commute times increase.  In addition, the vast majority of King County commuters continue to drive to work alone.  There has been a decline in single occupancy commutes, but it’s not dramatic – from 71% of all work trips in 1990 to 66% in 2006. 

Driving less also presupposes relative proximity or easy access by public transport to the goods and services we need for daily living.  A recent study of King County land use impacts found that residents of the most walkable neighborhoods in the county drive 26% fewer miles per day than those living in the most sprawling areas.  (LUTAQH, A Study of Land Use, Transportation, Air Quality and Health in King County, 2005). 

Meanwhile our investment in transportation infrastructure and services and public transit has failed to match growth in the region, particularly with respect to providing more sustainable transportation alternatives such as bicycle paths, trains and light rail.  A 2008 study by the Urban Land Institute reports that “The Seattle Metropolitan area tops the nation in the gap between identified need in transportation projects and funding to meet those needs.” (ULI Reality Check Puget Sound Region, Urban Land Institute Seattle)

When you consider that transportation accounts for 60% of our regional contribution to global warming and that the region’s population is expected to grow by more than 1.6 million people by 2040, the transportation outlook can seem even more daunting.  Pedestrian-and bicycle-friendly streets and accessibility to transit help to reduce our carbon footprint and contribute to improved air quality.

A more sustainable transportation system, focused on bicycling, carpooling, clean and efficient public transit and, maybe most important, walking, will also have far-reaching benefits for personal health.  Alternative transportation modes are linked to greater physical activity which is a key factor in maintaining healthy weights.  And fewer vehicle miles travelled reduces the risk of motor vehicle deaths and injuries. 

While a majority of King County residents are satisfied with their transportation choices, an increasing number are choosing alternative transportation modes and moving closer to their jobs.  Presenting attractive alternative transportation choices could go a long way to improving our quality of life.