Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : Rat's Nest - Chronicles of Collapse -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Wharf Rat who wrote (9991)	2/23/2010 10:28:51 AM
From: T L Comiskey	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 24225

energy....silicon valley design.. bbc.co.uk

To: Wharf Rat who wrote (9991)	2/23/2010 10:53:27 AM
From: Wharf Rat	Respond to of 24225

U.S. driving decline is in reverse Updated 10h 18m ago By Larry Copeland, USA TODAY The historic drop in driving that began in 2007 and the dramatic decline in gridlock that accompanied it have ended, according to a report today by a firm that tracks congestion in the USA. Using 12-month averages, the study found that driving increased by 0.3% in September, 0.2% in October, 0.3% in November and 0.2% in December over the same periods a year earlier, according to federal data. Traffic congestion is still about two-thirds of 2007 peak levels but likely to get worse, says Rick Schuman, author of INRIX's 2009 National Traffic Scorecard. He cautions that further softening of the economy or a major hike in gas prices could cut congestion again. "As the job situation goes, so goes congestion," he says. "If we have a recovery and we start seeing employment starting to grow, congestion will grow along with it." Kirkland, Wash.-based INRIX collects data from 1.7 million GPS-equipped vehicles and other sources. Its findings are buttressed by Federal Highway Administration data on the miles vehicles travel on U.S. roads. The rebound in driving and congestion is linked to the improving U.S. economy, experts say. "Retail sales are up, the number of people filing for unemployment is up and down, but it's better than six months ago," says Robert Poole, director of transportation studies at the non-partisan, libertarian Reason Foundation. He says rising toll collections around the USA are further evidence of an economy-fueled driving rebound. "More people are moving about, deciding to go back out into the world." It's not clear whether the changes are permanent. The rebound is far from the 21% increase in miles driven from 1995 to 2007, says Ed McMahon, senior research fellow at the Urban Land Institute, a non-profit group that promotes innovative development. The 2007-09 decline in driving, the steepest ever, fed a sharp drop in traffic deaths. Despite the rebound, road deaths are not expected to rise this year, says Jonathan Adkins of the Governors Highway Safety Association. Among INRIX's findings: • Despite the overall rise in congestion last year, it was down during the morning rush hour, reflecting high unemployment. Traffic was up during the rest of the day. • Friday at 5 p.m. is still the busiest evening commute hour, the worst day and time during the week to travel. usatoday.com