DENVER — One thing most Coloradans can agree on is that traffic in the state is less than ideal, and it appears commuters in the Denver region won’t see much relief anytime soon.
That’s according to a new report this month by the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG). The agency used traffic trends from 2018 to predict what roads will look like in the future.
Cars are traveling more and more as time goes on, the study found. On an average day in 2018, vehicles traveled 84.3 million miles, which is a 15% increase over the last five years, the study found.
If that trend continues, DRCOG suggests that by 2040, vehicle miles traveled on freeways and other major roads could grow by more than 40%.
That increase could add up to 56 hours of travel delays per resident, per year by 2040. The uptick in traffic could also result in a projected $3 billion in financial loss by 2040, compared to the $1.6 billion in losses recorded last year, the study found.
Despite an 8% increase in the population over the last five years, the DRCOG reported a slight dip from 2017-2018 in vehicle miles traveled per capita.
The study also suggests that more people are choosing alternative modes of transportation, or just deciding not to commute at all. In the last five years, the study found a 21% percent increase in people working from home and a 250% increase in vehicle miles traveled via ride-hailing services.
There have been a few ways the Colorado legislature has tried to combat traffic issues, including a measure on the November ballot, Proposition CC. If it passes, the measure would take on traffic congestion by transferring TABOR refunds and using that money for state road projects and schools.
If voters say no, that money will be refunded through property tax credits for seniors and disabled vets, a state income tax reduction and state tax returns.
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