The Fundamental Law of Road Congestion: Evidence from US cities

Gilles Duranton and Matthew Turner

No 15376, NBER Working Papers from National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc

Abstract: We investigate the relationship between interstate highways and highway vehicle kilometers traveled (VKT) in US cities. We find that VKT increases proportionately to highways and identify three important sources for this extra VKT: an increase in driving by current residents; an increase in transportation intensive production activity; and an inflow of new residents. The provision of public transportation has no impact on VKT. We also estimate the aggregate city level demand for VKT and find it to be very elastic. We conclude that an increased provision of roads or public transit is unlikely to relieve congestion.

JEL-codes: L91 R41 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2009-09
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-geo and nep-ure
Note: EEE
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (16)

Published as Gilles Duranton & Matthew A. Turner, 2011. "The Fundamental Law of Road Congestion: Evidence from US Cities," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 101(6), pages 2616-52, October.

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Related works:
Journal Article: The Fundamental Law of Road Congestion: Evidence from US Cities (2011)
Working Paper: The Fundamental Law of Road Congestion: Evidence from US Cities (2009)
Working Paper: The Fundamental Law of Road Congestion: Evidence from US cities (2009)
Working Paper: The Fundamental Law of Road Congestion: Evidence from US cities (2009)
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