The Dollars and $ense of Driving
The High Cost of Driving
- Transportation accounts for 65% of U.S. oil consumption and is a significant source of air pollution (Department of Energy).
- For most Americans, transportation is their second largest expenditure, second only to housing expenses. We spend more on transportation than we do on health care, education or food (American Automobile Association).
Personal Transportation Budget
- The fixed cost to own and operate a vehicle is roughly between 44 cents and 62 cents per mile, depending on vehicle size and type (American Automobile Association). Fixed costs include fuel and oil, maintenance and repair, vehicle insurance, license, financing, and purchase.
- On average, Americans devotes 18 cents out of every dollar to transportation. In southeastern Wisconsin, we spend 16 cents out of every dollar, which amounts to $5,800 annually (Surface Transportation Policy Project).
Save Money Right Now
When you can't leave your car at home, here are several things you can do to save fuel and help keep the air clean:
- Plan and combine your trips
- Keep your tires properly inflated
- Accelerate gently and steadily
- Maintain a steady driving speed
- Drive the speed limit
- Limit warm-ups to a few seconds
- Minimize idling (idling = zero miles per gallon)
- Avoid waiting in lines at drive-ins when possible
Save Money on Your Next Vehicle
To help you find a vehicle with low emissions and good fuel economy, visit www.epa.gov/autoemissions/. This guide will help you choose the cleanest and most fuel efficient vehicle to meet your needs. Also, visit the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) 'Green Book' at www.greencars.com.
The Road Ahead
- In 1999, Wisconsin had nearly a million more registered vehicles than registered motorists (Wisconsin Department of Transportation).
- Southeastern Wisconsin has a 305-mile freeway system. Many of these highway miles are reaching their useful life expectancy. The estimated cost to replace the freeway system is $4 billion, or $200 million per year for 20 years (Wisconsin Department of Transportation).
- In 1999, a study indicated that drivers in southeastern Wisconsin spent 22 hours stuck in traffic, compared to 11 hours back in 1988 (Texas Transportation Institute).
Health Costs
- Vehicle emissions account for 25% of volatile organic compounds and 34% of nitrogen oxides (Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources). All these pollutants have a health cost.
- In 2000, there were 7,328 emergency room visits for asthma and 969 hospitalizations at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin. Asthma is the #1 reason children are admitted to Children's Hospital of Wisconsin and environmental triggers, such as smog, contribute to an attack.
Change your approach, not your destination
The Marquette Interchange project is a major southeast Wisconsin freeway transportation cornerstone replacement project. The four year reconstruction project will last through 2008. The project website, www.mchange.org will make your life easier by providing:
- Traffic condition notifications
- Traffic alert headlines
- Get Around Guides with road closure schedules
- Trip planning
- Transportation options