Oct 24, 2024 - COVID
We're driving more post-COVID
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If traffic around the metro feels bad, it's not your imagination.
- New data indicates traffic has now surpassed pre-COVID levels.
The big picture: Average daily vehicle miles traveled (VMT) per capita increased 12.3% across the 100 largest U.S. metro areas last spring compared to the same period in 2019, according to a new report from StreetLight Data, a transportation analytics firm.
State of our streets: Traffic in the Des Moines area increased by nearly 11%.
Yes, but: Our traffic situation isn't as bad as some other major Midwest cities, such as Indianapolis and Columbus, where VMT increased by 13% and 16%, respectively, per StreetLight Data.