Poll: Boston commuters believe traffic has worsened over 5 years
Most commuters in both the city of Boston and the surrounding region believe that traffic conditions have taken a turn for the worse, according to new survey.
A recent survey by MassINC found most respondents believe traffic congestions in the Greater Boston area has gotten worse over the past five years. The survey found 50 percent of residents from the city said traffic in the region has gotten worse over the past five years while 38 percent said traffic congestion has stayed the same.
For residents from the broader Boston region, 57 percent said traffic has worsened over the past five years. About one-third said traffic has remained the same.
As for the causes behind the increased congestion, most respondents thought there were just more cars on the roadways every day. (Research indicates drivers are correct about this, but also that it might actually be good news, since traffic increase correlate with an improving economy.) But some respondents said construction work on roadways caused delays in their commutes at least once a month.
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Most respondents also reported experiencing weather-related delays at least a month.
As far as solutions to ease gridlock, most respondents agree making the MBTA more efficient and affordable would be a “very effective’’ approach to reducing traffic congestion.
Other possible fixes to reducing traffic that found support include widening roads and highways to accommodate more vehicles, removing toll booths where backup occurs and adding smart highway signs that direct drivers around congestion. These proposals were seen as “very effective’’ or “somewhat effective’’ solutions to easing congestion.
The survey found almost 80 percent of respondents said that “repairing and modernizing the state’s roads and bridges’’ should be a major priority for Massachusetts lawmakers. However, most respondents did not support raising taxes, tolls or fees in order to pay for the repairs. The survey found the majority of respondents opposed raising the state tax on gasoline, increasing highway tolls, expanding tollbooths, implementing fees for cars entering or exiting Boston at rush hour and charging drivers based on how many miles they drive, even if the money from such changes would be devoted solely to transportation improvements.
Instead, the overwhelming majority respondents favored a proposed tax on those who earn at least million dollars a year as a way to pay for transportation and education needs.
The survey of 502 registered voters in the Boston area was conducted by MassINC between April 17 and April 20 on behalf of WBUR. The poll includes a base sample of 402 residents living in Boston communities inside Route 128 and another 100 residents living within Boston’s city limits.
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