TRIP Report: JACKSON , MS AREA DRIVERS WASTE MORE THAN $1,500 EACH YEAR DRIVING ON DEFICIENT ROADS – A TOTAL OF $1.6 BILLION STATEWIDE. SIXTY-EIGHT PERCENT OF JACKSON AREA MAJOR ROADS NEED IMPROVEMENT, MORE THAN ONE FIFTH OF MISSISSIPPI BRIDGES NEED REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT

More than two-thirds of Jackson’s major locally and state-maintained roads are in either poor or mediocre condition, more than one fifth of the state’s bridges need repair or replacement, and Mississippi’s drivers experience growing congestion and delays. In addition to deteriorated roads and bridges, Mississippi’s rural roads have a significantly higher traffic fatality rate than all other roads in the state. Increased investment in transportation improvements could improve road and bridge conditions, ease congestion, boost safety, and support long-term economic growth in Mississippi, according to a new report released today by TRIP, a Washington, DC based national transportation organization. The TRIP report, “Mississippi Transportation by the Numbers: Meeting the State’s Need for Safe and Efficient Mobility,” provides data on key transportation facts and figures in the state.

Mississippi roadways that lack some desirable safety features, have inadequate capacity to meet travel demands or have poor pavement conditions cost the state’s residents approximately $1.6 billion each year in the form of additional vehicle operating costs, the cost of lost time and wasted fuel due to traffic congestion, and traffic crashes. Driving on roads that are congested, deteriorated and that lack some desirable safety features costs the average Jackson area driver $1,506 annually and the average Gulfport/Biloxi area driver $1,272 annually.

“This study is further evidence that Mississippi’s roads and bridges are deteriorating at an alarming rate,” said House Transportation Chairman Robert Johnson. “The effects of weather and heavy traffic on our roadways is becoming a public safety issue that the legislature cannot ignore. Improving our transportation infrastructure is not only vital for public safety concerns, it directly impacts Mississippi’s ability to attract new businesses and retain existing industries. Our future economy depends on it.”

Growing traffic congestion, particularly in the state’s urban areas, threatens to choke commuting and commerce. The average commuter in the Jackson metro area loses 25 additional hours each year stuck in traffic due to traffic congestion and the average commuter in the Gulfport/Biloxi metro area loses 24 additional hours each year stuck in traffic due to traffic congestion.

Traffic crashes in Mississippi claimed the lives of 3,638 people between 2007 and 2011. The state’s 2011 traffic fatality rate of 1.62 fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles of travel (VMT) is significantly higher than the national average of 1.10 fatalities per 100 million VMT and was the fifth highest among all states, behind only Montana (1.79), West Virginia (1.78), South Carolina (1.70) and Arkansas (1.67). The traffic fatality rate in 2011 on Mississippi’s non-Interstate rural roads was 2.27 traffic fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles of travel, more than double the 0.99 traffic fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles of travel on all other roads and highways in the state. Roadway features are likely a contributing factor in approximately one-third of all fatal and serious traffic crashes. Where appropriate, highway improvements can reduce traffic fatalities and crashes while improving traffic flow to help relieve congestion.

“These key transportation numbers in Mississippi add up to trouble for the state’s residents in terms of deteriorated roads and bridges, reduced traffic safety and constrained economic development,” said Will Wilkins, executive director of TRIP.  “Improving road and bridge conditions, improving traffic safety and providing a transportation system that will support economic development in Mississippi will require a significant boost in state and federal funding for road, highway and bridge improvements.”

Executive Summary

Mississippi’s extensive system of roads, highways and bridges provides the state’s residents, visitors and businesses with a high level of mobility. This transportation system forms the backbone that supports the state’s economy. Mississippi’s surface transportation system enables the state’s residents and visitors to travel to work and school, visit family and friends, and frequent tourist and recreation attractions while providing its businesses with reliable access to customers, materials, suppliers and employees.

As Mississippi looks to retain its businesses, maintain its level of economic competitiveness and achieve further economic growth, the state will need to maintain and modernize its roads, highways and bridges by improving the physical condition of its transportation network and enhancing the system’s ability to provide efficient and reliable mobility for motorists and businesses. Making needed improvements to Mississippi’s roads, highways and bridges could also provide a significant boost to the state’s economy by creating jobs in the short term and stimulating long term economic growth as a result of enhanced mobility and access.

With a current unemployment rate of 8.5 percent and with the state’s population continuing to grow, Mississippi must improve its system of roads, highways and bridges to foster economic growth and keep businesses in the state. In addition to economic growth, transportation improvements are needed to ensure safe, reliable mobility and quality of life for all Mississippians. Meeting Mississippi’s need to modernize and maintain its system of roads, highways and bridges will require a significant boost in local, state and federal funding.Signed into law in July 2012, MAP-21(Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21Century Act), will fund surface transportation programs in Mississippi at an average of $469 million annually for fiscal years 2013 and 2014.

Signed into law in July 2012, MAP-21 (Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21^st Century Act), will fund surface transportation programs in Mississippi at an average of $469 million annually for fiscal years 2013 and 2014.

While the new federal surface transportation program has improved several procedures that in the past had delayed projects, MAP-21 does not address long-term funding challenges facing the federal surface transportation program. As a result, nationwide federal funding for highways will be cut by almost 100 percent from the current investment level for the fiscal year starting on October 1, 2014 (FY 2015) unless Congress provides additional transportation revenues. This is due to a cash shortfall in the Highway Trust Fund as projected by the Congressional Budget Office.

The level of funding and the provisions of the federal surface transportation program have a significant impact on highway and bridge conditions, roadway safety, transit service, quality of life and economic development opportunities in Mississippi.

An inadequate transportation system costs Mississippi residents a total of $1.6 billion every year in the form of additional vehicle operating costs (VOC), congestion-related delays and traffic crashes.

• TRIP estimates that Mississippi roadways that lack some desirable safety features, have inadequate capacity to meet travel demands or have poor pavement conditions cost the state’s residents approximately $1.6 billion annually in the form of additional vehicle operating costs, the cost of lost time and wasted fuel due to traffic congestion and traffic crashes.
• TRIP has calculated the annual cost to Mississippi residents of driving on roads that are deteriorated, congested and lack some desirable safety features both statewide and in the state’s largest urban area. The following chart shows the cost breakdown for these areas.

Population and economic growth in Mississippi have resulted in increased demands on the state’s major roads and highways, leading to increased wear and tear on the transportation system.

• Mississippi’s population reached nearly 3 million in 2012, a 16 percent increase since 1990. Mississippi had 1,926,603 licensed drivers in 2011.
• Vehicle miles traveled in Mississippi increased by 59 percent from 1990 to 2011 – jumping from 24.4 billion vehicle miles traveled (VMT) in 1990 to 38.9 billion VMT in 2011.
• By 2030, vehicle travel in Mississippi is projected to increase by another 35 percent.
• From 1990 to 2011, Mississippi’s gross domestic product, a measure of the state’s economic output, increased by 47 percent, when adjusted for inflation.

Twenty-eight percent of major locally and state-maintained roads and highways in Mississippi have pavement surfaces in poor or mediocre condition, providing a rough ride and costing motorist in the form of additional vehicle operating costs.

•           Eight percent of Mississippi’s major roads and highways have pavements in poor condition, while an additional 20 percent of the state’s major roads are rated in mediocre condition. Twenty percent are rated in fair condition and the remaining 52 percent are rated in good condition.

• The pavement data in this report for all arterial roads and highways is provided by the Federal Highway Administration, based on data submitted annually by the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) on the condition of major state and locally maintained roads and highways in the state.
• In the Jackson urban area, 45 percent of major locally and state-maintained roads are rated in poor condition and 23 percent are rated in mediocre condition. Twelve percent of Jackson’s major urban roads are rated in fair condition and 21 percent are rated in good condition.
• Twenty-nine percent of major locally and state-maintained roads in the Gulfport/Biloxi area are rated in poor condition and 17 percent are rated in mediocre condition. Sixteen percent of major urban roads in the Gulfport/Biloxi are rated in fair condition and 38 percent are rated in good condition.
• Roads rated in poor condition may show signs of deterioration, including rutting, cracks and potholes. In some cases, poor roads can be resurfaced, but often are too deteriorated and must be reconstructed. Roads rated in mediocre condition may show signs of significant wear and may also have some visible pavement distress. Most pavements in mediocre condition can be repaired by resurfacing, but some may need more extensive reconstruction to return them to good condition.
• Driving on rough roads costs Mississippi motorists a total of $627 million annually in extra vehicle operating costs. Costs include accelerated vehicle depreciation, additional repair costs, and increased fuel consumption and tire wear.
• Driving on rough roads costs the average Jackson motorist $741 annually in extra vehicle operating costs. In the Gulfport/Biloxi area, the average driver loses $531each year as a result of driving on deteriorated roads.

More than one-fifth of locally and state-maintained bridges in Mississippi show significant deterioration or do not meet current design standards often because of narrow lanes, inadequate clearances or poor alignment. This includes all bridges that are 20 feet or more in length.

• Fourteen percent of Mississippi’s bridges are structurally deficient. A bridge is structurally deficient if there is significant deterioration of the bridge deck, supports or other major components. Structurally deficient bridges are often posted for lower weight or closed to traffic, restricting or redirecting large vehicles, including commercial trucks and emergency services vehicles.
• Eight percent of Mississippi’s bridges are functionally obsolete. Bridges that are functionally obsolete no longer meet current highway design standards, often because of narrow lanes, inadequate clearances or poor alignment.

Significant levels of traffic congestion cause significant delays in Mississippi, particularly in its larger urban areas, choking commuting and commerce.

• According to the Texas Transportation Institute (TTI), the average driver in the Jackson urban area loses $594 each year in the cost of lost time and wasted fuel as a result of traffic congestion. The average commuter in the Jackson urban spends an additional 25 hours per year stuck in traffic as a result of traffic congestion.
• TTI estimates that the average driver in the Gulfport/Biloxi urban area loses $522 each year in the cost of lost time and wasted fuel as a result of traffic congestion. The average commuter in the Gulfport/Biloxi urban spends an additional 24 hours each year stuck in traffic as a result of traffic congestion.

Mississippi’s traffic fatality rate on rural, non-Interstate routes is more than double that on all other roads and highways in the state. Improving safety features on Mississippi’s roads and highways would likely result in a decrease in the state’s traffic fatalities and serious crashes. Roadway features are likely a contributing factor in approximately one-third of all fatal and serious traffic crashes.

• Between 2007 and 2011 a total of 3,638 people were killed in traffic crashes in Mississippi, an average of 728 fatalities per year.
• Mississippi’s overall traffic fatality rate of 1.62 fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles of travel in 2011 is higher than the national average of 1.10, the fifth highest level nationally.
• The fatality rate on Mississippi’s rural non-Interstate roads was 2.27 fatalities per 100 vehicle miles of travel in 2011, more than double the 0.99 fatality rate in 2011 on all other roads and highways in the state.
• The cost of serious traffic crashes in Mississippi in 2011 in which roadway features were likely a contributing factor was approximately $573 million.
• In the Jackson urban area, the cost of serious traffic crashes in which roadway features were likely a contributing factor is approximately $171 annually per motorist. The cost of serious traffic crashes in the Gulfport/Biloxi area in which roadway features were likely a contributing factor is approximately $219 per motorist.
• Roadway features that impact safety include the number of lanes, lane widths, lighting, lane markings, rumble strips, shoulders, guard rails, other shielding devices, median barriers and intersection design. The cost of serious crashes includes lost productivity, lost earnings, medical costs and emergency services.
• Several factors are associated with vehicle crashes that result in fatalities, including driver behavior, vehicle characteristics and roadway features. TRIP estimates that roadway features are likely a contributing factor in approximately one-third of fatal traffic crashes.
• Where appropriate, highway improvements can reduce traffic fatalities and crashes while improving traffic flow to help relieve congestion. Such improvements include removing or shielding obstacles; adding or improving medians; improved lighting; adding rumble strips, wider lanes, wider and paved shoulders; upgrading roads from two lanes to four lanes; and better road markings and traffic signals.
• Investments in rural traffic safety have been found to result in significant reductions in serious traffic crashes. A 2012 report by the Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) found that improvements completed recently by the Texas Department of Transportation that widened lanes, improved shoulders and made other safety improvements on 1,159 miles of rural state roadways resulted in 133 fewer fatalities on these roads in the first three years after the improvements were completed (as compared to the three years prior). TTI estimates that the improvements on these roads are likely to save 880 lives over the next 20 years.

The efficiency of Mississippi’s transportation system, particularly its highways, is critical to the health of the state’s economy. Businesses are increasingly reliant on an efficient and reliable transportation system to move products and services. A key component in business efficiency and success is the level and ease of access to customers, markets, materials and workers.

• Annually, $91 billion in goods are shipped from sites in Mississippi and another $104 billion in goods are shipped to sites in Mississippi, mostly by truck.
• Seventy-seven percent of the goods shipped annually from sites in Mississippi are carried by trucks and another four percent are carried by courier services or multiple mode deliveries, which include trucking.
• Businesses have responded to improved communications and greater competition by moving from a push-style distribution system, which relies on low-cost movement of bulk commodities and large-scale warehousing, to a pull-style distribution system, which relies on smaller, more strategic and time-sensitive movement of goods.
• Increasingly, companies are looking at the quality of a region’s transportation system when deciding where to re-locate or expand. Regions with congested or poorly maintained roads may see businesses relocate to areas with a smoother, more efficient and more modern transportation system.
• Highway accessibility was ranked the number one site selection factor in a 2011 survey of corporate executives by Area Development Magazine.
• A 2013 report by the American Road & Transportation Builders Association found that the $1.4 billion spent annually on road, highway and bridge construction and maintenance in Mississippi supports approximately 37,000 full-time jobs, including approximately 18,400 jobs in transportation construction and related activities and approximately 18,600 jobs induced in non-construction related sectors of the economy.
• The Federal Highway Administration estimates that each dollar spent on road, highway and bridge improvements results in an average benefit of $5.20 in the form of reduced vehicle maintenance costs, reduced delays, reduced fuel consumption, improved safety, reduced road and bridge maintenance costs and reduced emissions as a result of improved traffic flow.

The federal government remains a critical source of funding for Mississippi’s roads, highways and bridges and provides a significant return to Mississippi in road and bridge funding based on the revenue generated in the state by the federal motor fuel tax.

• The MAP-21 program, approved by Congress in July 2012, greatly increased funding flexibility for states and streamlined project approval processes to improve the efficiency of state and local transportation agencies in providing needed transportation improvements in the state.
• MAP-21 does not provide sufficient long-term revenues to support the current level of federal surface transportation investment. Nationwide federal funding for highways is expected to be cut by almost 100 percent from the current investment level for the fiscal year starting October 1, 2014 (FY 2015) unless Congress provides additional transportation revenues. This is due to a cash shortfall in the Highway Trust Fund as projected by the Congressional Budget Office.
• If the funding shortfalls into the federal Highway Trust Fund are addressed solely by cutting spending it is estimated that federal funding for highway and transit improvements in Mississippi will be cut by $470 million for the federal fiscal year starting October 1, 2014, unless Congress provides additional transportation revenues.
• From 2007 to 2011, the federal government provided $1.27 for road improvements in Mississippi for every one dollar paid in federal motor fuel fees.
• From 2007 to 2011, federal revenues accounted for 51 percent of state spending on Mississippi’s roads, highways and bridges.

Sources of information for this report include the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT), the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), the U.S. Census Bureau, the Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).