Study: Reducing Traffic Congestion Would Spur Huge Economic Growth

Source: David Hartgen and Gregory Fields, Reason Foundation, Policy Study 371, August 27, 2009

How much would your city's economy grow if its roads were free-flowing instead of jammed? A new Reason Foundation study by David Hartgen and Gregory Fields examines how reducing gridlock would increase economic output and worker productivity in eight cities across the country. In Dallas, getting rid of traffic congestion would boost the economy by $46 billion a year. Denver would get a $38 billion increase in Gross Regional Product if it had free-flowing traffic conditions. Atlanta, Charlotte, San Francisco and Seattle would all see more than $10 billion a year in economic growth if they prioritized infrastructure projects and eliminated severe traffic congestion.