Freight Facts and Figures 2013

Figure 3-16. Peak-Period Congestion on the National Highway System: 2011

Recurring congestion caused by volumes of passenger vehicles and trucks that exceed capacity on roadways during peak periods is concentrated primarily in major metropolitan areas. In 2011, peak-period congestion resulted in traffic slowing below posted speed limits on 13,500 miles of the NHS and created stop-and-go conditions on an additional 8,700 miles.

Figure 3-16

Figure 3-16. U.S. map showing heavy congestion in major cities and moderate congestion on highways along the east and west coasts.

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Notes:

Highly congested segments are stop-and-go conditions with volume/service flow ratios greater than 0.95. Congested segment have reduced traffic speeds with volume/service flow ratios between 0.75 and 0.95. The volume/service flow ratio is estimated using the procedures outlined in the Highway Performance Monitoring System Field Manual, Appendix N. NHS mileage as of 2011, prior to MAP-21 system expansion.

Sources:

U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Office of Highway Policy Information, Highway Performance Monitoring System; and Office of Freight Management and Operations, Freight Analysis Framework, version 3.4, 2013.

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