Traffic better, report says

By Mike Leidemann
Advertiser Transportation Writer

Honolulu is one of the few places in the country where traffic congestion is getting better, not worse, according to a new national study.

The 2003 Urban Mobility Report, an annual survey of transportation trends, showed Honolulu had the best improvement of 75 major metropolitan areas in recent years.

Only five other cities had any drop at all in their "congestion index," an annual rating done by the authoritative Texas Transportation Institute.

"It sounds like a bit of good news," said Cheryl Soon, director of the city's Department of Transportation Services. "It's nice to know the things we're trying have been some help."

Honolulu drivers still spend an average of 50 hours a year stuck in traffic jams, about the national average, according to the report. However, it's far from the worst record, a distinction that goes to Los Angeles, where drivers spent an average of 90 hours — four days — delayed by traffic.

The study found that congestion costs Americans $69.5 billion in wasted time and fuel a year.

Tim Lomax, the study's co-author, said traffic-fighting measures such as car pool lanes and ramp metering by transit agencies across the country have kept a bad situation from getting even worse.

For example, traffic signal coordination aimed at smoothing the flow of cars, saved commuters 16 million hours.

Soon said the city in recent years started a program to recheck the timing of traffic signals around O'ahu. The work allows officials to be sure that the timing sequence of the lights still accurately reflects actual conditions on the street and to make adjustments if necessary.

Reach Mike Leidemann at 525-5460 or mleidemann@honoluluadvertiser.com.