How does congestion affect the environment?
Congestion affects the environment in two ways: First congestion increases emissions. Traffic congestion causes cars to slow down, even to stop. When cars idle, they are still burning fuel and still releasing fuel emissions into the atmosphere. Vehicle fuel emissions, or volatile organic compounds, are one of two main ingredients in smog. Second, congestion causes cars to use more fuel. Cars idling in pockets of traffic congestion use more fuel than cars not required to slow down because they spend more time on the roads, thereby using more gas. In their 2004 study, the American Highway Users Alliance reported that adequate repairs to our highways could reduce smog-contributing emissions by 50%, and would reduce rush hour delays by 74%, saving commuters an average of 30 minutes more each day.
Congestion affects the environment in two ways: First congestion increases emissions. Traffic congestion causes cars to slow down, even to stop. When cars idle, they are still burning fuel and still releasing fuel emissions into the atmosphere. Vehicle fuel emissions, or volatile organic compounds, are one of two main ingredients in smog. Second, congestion causes cars to use more fuel. Cars idling in pockets of traffic congestion use more fuel than cars not required to slow down because they spend more time on the roads, thereby using more gas. In their 2004 study, the American Highway Users Alliance reported that adequate repairs to our highways could reduce smog-contributing emissions by 50%, and would reduce rush hour delays by 74%, saving commuters an average of 30 minutes more each day.
