Eastern Jackson County > Relocation Tools

Roadway Congestion Measures, 1999

The Texas Transportation Institute measures traffic congestion in 68 urban areas across the nation in annual urban mobilty study. The effects of congestion show up in increased travel time, increased fuel consumption, and lost productivity.

The Travel Rate Index (TRI) indicates the additional time necessary for an individual to make a trip during the peak period due to congestion. The index represents the travel time in peak period divided by the rate in the off peak. A TRI of 1.30 indicates the average peak trip takes 30% longer than a trip in free-flow conditions. Expressing congestion costs on a per capita basis illustrates the congestion "tax" paid by residents.

The 2001 study includes 68 urban areas ranging from small to very large. Among the large and very large cities in the study, Kansas City ranks as third least congested. Among these cities, Kansas City also ranks third in freeway and arterial lane-miles per capita.

TRAVEL RATE INDEX

DELAY PER CAPITA

COST PER CAPITA

Albuquerque
1.24

33

$575

Atlanta
1.35

53

$915

Austin
1.25

45

$785

Baltimore
1.25

31

$530

Boston
1.37

42

$715

Charlotte
1.25

32

$550

Chicago
1.40

34

$570

Cincinnati
1.26

32

$575

Cleveland
1.18

20

$350

Colorado Springs
1.15

20

$330

Columbus
1.21

29

$500

Dallas
1.27

46

$780

Denver
1.34

45

$760

Detroit
1.31

41

$700

Fresno
1.16

18

$310

Houston
1.33

50

$850

Indianapolis
1.25

37

$635

Jacksonville
1.16

30

$520

KANSAS CITY
1.10

24

$410

Las Vegas
1.35

21

$370

Los Angeles
1.55

56

$1,000

Louisville
1.23

37

$635

Memphis
1.15

22

$375

Milwaukee
1.24

22

$380

Minneapolis
1.31

38

$670

Nashville
1.17

42

$710

New York
1.32

34

$595

Norfolk
1.17

24

$415

Oklahoma City
1.11

17

$295

Omaha
1.13

19

$330

Orlando
1.24

42

$705

Philadelphia
1.22

26

$435

Phoenix
1.30

31

$540

Pittsburgh
1.09

14

$235

Saint Louis
1.26

44

$745

Salt Lake City
1.19

18

$320

San Antonio
1.23

24

$410

San Diego
1.40

37

$675

San Francisco
1.45

42

$760

Seattle
1.44

53

$930

Tampa
1.21

35

$590

Tucson
1.21

23

$395

Washington
1.42

46

$780

Source: Texas Transportation Institute

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT EASTERN JACKSON COUNTY OR THE EASTERN JACK DEVELOPMENT ALLIANCE (EJDA), CONTACT MARILYN SCOTHORNE, OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR, AT (816) 881-4443 OR ScotMar@gw.co.jackson.mo.us.

FOR INFORMATION ABOUT THE GREATER KANSAS CITY METRO AREA, CONTACT TIM COWDEN, SENIOR V.P. BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, KANSAS CITY AREA DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, AT (816) 374-5650 OR cowden@smartkc.com.