Unlocking Suburban Gridlock

Abstract

Abstract In some areas of the United States the suburban building boom of the past decade has produced traffic jams equal to those found in congested downtowns. Several suburbs recently have adopted strict growth controls as a last resort to curb unbridled traffic. If trends continue, suburban gridlock could become the dominant transportation issue of the next decade. This article argues that a combination of steps need to be taken—some involving greater developer and employer participation in financing road improvements and reducing worker auto trips, others involving stronger regional planning initiatives, notably balancing jobs and housing. Our best hope for forestalling suburban gridlock lies with redesigning workplaces into high-density, mixed-use clusters, strategically siting and phasing jobs and housing, introducing traffic impact fee and trip reduction programs, and encouraging employer-initiated flex-time work schedules.