Background
Population growth in Newport News has been less than one-half percent per year yet the number of registered vehicles and vehicle miles traveled (VMT) has increased 2 to 3 times the population growth rate. The Hampton Roads region population grew 6% between 1996 and 2005, but the number of registered vehicles increased 27% and VMT increased 18%. Building new and wider streets failed to keep pace with the need for additional capacity on area roads. The long and narrow shape of Newport News, its limited space, and the lack of funding for transportation improvements has handicapped the City’s ability to improve its streets. These factors have resulted in increased traffic congestion.
The City’s strategy for addressing traffic congestion is to develop an efficient and balanced multi-modal transportation system. A balanced transportation system provides alternative forms of transportation to help reduce congestion on City streets. Balanced transportation involves creating a rapid transit system, higher density land use patterns, mixed use developments that encourage walking, and transportation management plans for large employers.
|
Method of Travel |
2000 | 2005 |
|---|---|---|
| Car, truck or van (drove alone) | 78.7% | 82.7% |
| Car, truck or van (carpooled) | 13.0% | 10.3% |
| Public Transportation (including taxicab) | 2.8% | 2.4% |
| Walked | 2.7% | 2.1% |
| Other means | 1.2% | 1.3% |
| Worked at home | 1.6% | 1.2% |
| Total Workers | 100.0% | 100.0% |