Traffic analysis

• Between 1975 and 1995, traffic volumes increased between 50% and over 300% on roadways in the region, with some of the highest increases on facilities in Washington County. For example, average daily traffic volumes increased by 323% on I-217, by 101% on Highway 26 between I-405 and the Sylvan interchange, and by 194% on Highway 26 west of North Plains.
• The Portland region has climbed from the 18^th most congested metropolitan area in the country in 1982, to 14^th in 1993 and 12^th in 1999.
• Between 1982 and 1997, the total annual hours of delay per person in the this region more than tripled, while the annual cost of congestion per driver (measured in lost time and wasted fuel) increased from $100 to $885.
• Between 1982 and 1997, average freeway speeds dropped from 55 to 45 miles per hour, while average speeds on arterial roads decreased from 33 to 29 miles per hour.
• Average peak period traffic volumes on the Tualatin Valley Highway are projected to increase by 30 to 40% between now and the year 2020.
• Between 1994 and 2020, average travel times between Portland and Hillsboro, Portland and Wilsonville, and Beaverton and Wilsonville are expected to increase by 19%, 25% and 30%, respectively.
• Assuming current funding, population and employment projections, average travel speed in the region on all roads is expected to drop from 25 to 19 mph, while average travel times (for all peak-period trips) are expected to increase from 11 to 14 minutes over the next 20 years.