New Mexico Transportation By The Numbers: Meeting the State’s Need for Safe and Efficient Mobility

Additional Funding Needed To Repair New Mexico’s Roads And Bridges, Ease Congestion, Improve Safety And Boost Economic Development And Quality Of Life

 More than one-fifth of New Mexico’s major roads are in need of improvement, 16 percent of bridges are in need of repair or replacement, drivers are increasingly stuck in congestion, and fatalities are occurring at a significantly higher rate on the state’s rural roads. Increased investment in transportation improvements could improve road and bridge conditions, ease congestion, boost safety, and support long-term economic growth in New Mexico, according to a new report released today by TRIP, a Washington, DC based national transportation organization. The TRIP report, “New Mexico 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:

“The TRIP report is a very good analysis that focuses on the condition of the roads and bridges in our state. The governor and legislature have always worked hard to invest in our state’s infrastructure, and that needs to continue,” said Daniel P. Silva, former New Mexico state representative.

According to the TRIP report, 21 percent of New Mexico’s major roads are in either poor or mediocre condition. In the Albuquerque metro area, 44 percent of roads are in poor or mediocre condition. And in Santa Fe, 33 percent of major roads are in poor or mediocre condition. TRIP calculates that driving on rough roads costs the average New Mexico motorist $236 annually in additional vehicle operating costs – a total of $322 million statewide each year. The average Albuquerque driver loses $392 each year due to deteriorated roads, while rough roads cost the average Santa Fe driver $310 annually. Costs include accelerated vehicle depreciation, additional repair costs and increased fuel consumption and tire wear.

A total of 16 percent of New Mexico’s bridges show significant deterioration or do not meet modern design standards. Eight percent of the state’s bridges are structurally deficient, which indicates that there is significant deterioration of the bridge deck, supports or other major components. An additional eight percent of New Mexico’s bridges are functionally obsolete. These bridges no longer meet current highway design standards, often because of narrow lanes, inadequate clearances or poor alignment.

Growing traffic congestion, particularly in the state’s urban areas, threatens to choke commuting and commerce. The average commuter in the Albuquerque metro area loses $658 each year in the cost of lost time and wasted fuel due to traffic congestion – a total of $288 million each year.

“The TRIP report confirms what many in the business community have long professed – that as New Mexico considers the need to promote economic development, create jobs, boost tourism, and stimulate long-term economic growth statewide, we must also take into account the condition of our current transportation network, and the critical role that transportation plays in the welfare of our state,” said Mike Beck, executive director of the Associated Contractors of New Mexico. “It is essential that New Mexico finds a way to adequately fund and protect our state’s transportation infrastructure in order to deliver a reliable means of mobility for the motorists and businesses who depend on that system.”

Traffic crashes in New Mexico claimed the lives of 1,907 people between 2006 and 2010. The state’s traffic fatality rate of 1.37 fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles of travel (VMT) is higher than the national average of 1.11 fatalities per 100 million VMT. The traffic fatality rate in 2010 on New Mexico’s non-Interstate rural roads was 1.89 traffic fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles of travel, 83 percent higher than the 1.03 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 New Mexico 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 New Mexico will require a significant boost in state and federal funding for road, highway and bridge improvements.”

Executive Summary

New Mexico’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. New Mexico’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 New Mexico looks to 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 New Mexico’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 6.4 percent and with the state’s population continuing to grow, New Mexico 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 New Mexicans.  Meeting New Mexico’s need to modernize and maintain its system of roads, highways and bridges will require a significant boost in local, state and federal funding.

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

• New Mexico’s population reached 2.1 million in 2010, a 36 percent increase since 1990, when the state’s population was approximately 1.5 million.  New Mexico has 1,418,641 licensed drivers.

• Vehicle miles traveled in New Mexico increased by 58 percent from 1990 to 2011 – jumping from 16.1 billion vehicle miles traveled (VMT) in 1990 to 25.5 billion VMT in 2011. By 2030, vehicle travel in New Mexico is projected to increase by another 40 percent.

• From 1990 to 2010, New Mexico’s gross domestic product, a measure of the state’s economic output, increased by 78 percent, when adjusted for inflation.

Twenty-one percent of major locally and state-maintained roads and highways in New Mexico 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 New Mexico’s major roads and highways have pavements in poor condition, while an additional 13 percent of the state’s major roads are rated in mediocre condition. Twelve percent are rated in fair condition and the remaining 67 percent are rated in good or excellent condition.

• In the Albuquerque urban area, 20 percent of major roads are rated in poor condition and 24 percent are rated in mediocre condition.  Thirteen percent of Albuquerque’s major roads are rated in fair condition and 43 percent are rated in good condition.

• In the Santa Fe urban area, 15 percent of major roads are rated in poor condition and 18 percent are rated in mediocre condition.  Fifteen percent of Santa Fe’s major roads are rated in fair condition and 52 percent are rated in good condition.

• The pavement data in this report is provided by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), based on data submitted annually by the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) on the condition of major state and locally maintained roads and highways in the state (roads classified as arterials by the FHWA).

• 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 or excellent condition.

• Driving on rough roads costs the typical New Mexico motorist an average of $236 annually in extra vehicle operating costs – a total of $322 million statewide. Costs include accelerated vehicle depreciation, additional repair costs and increased fuel consumption and tire wear.

• Driving on rough roads costs the average Albuquerque motorist $392 annually in extra vehicle operating costs. The average motorist in the Santa Fe area loses an additional $310 annually due to driving on deteriorated roads.

Sixteen percent of bridges in New Mexico show significant deterioration or do not meet current design standards. This includes all bridges that are 20 feet or more in length. 

• Eight percent of New Mexico’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 New Mexico’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.

Commuting and commerce in New Mexico are constrained by growing traffic congestion, which will increase in the future unless additional highway and transit capacity is provided. 

• Vehicle travel in New Mexico has increased dramatically in recent years, without a corresponding increase in roadway lane miles. As a result, the state’s roads have become increasingly congested, choking commuting and commerce.

• According to the Texas Transportation Institute, the average driver in the Albuquerque metro area loses $658 each year in the cost of lost time and wasted fuel as a result of traffic congestion – a total of $288 million each year.

• The average commuter in the Albuquerque metro area loses 29 hours each year stuck in congestion.

New Mexico’s traffic fatality rate on rural, non-Interstate routes is 83 percent higher than on all other roads and highways in the state.  Improving safety features on New Mexico’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 2006 and 2010, a total of 1,907 people were killed in traffic crashes in New Mexico, an average of 394 fatalities per year.

• New Mexico’s overall traffic fatality rate of 1.37 fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles of travel in 2010 is higher than the national average of 1.11 fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles of travel.

• The fatality rate on New Mexico’s rural non-Interstate roads was 1.89 fatalities per 100 vehicle miles of travel in 2010, approximately 83 percent higher than the 1.03 fatality rate in 2010 on all other roads and highways in the state.

• Several factors are associated with vehicle crashes that result in fatalities, including driver behavior, vehicle characteristics and roadway features. It is estimated that roadway features are likely a contributing factor in approximately one-third of fatal traffic crashes.

• 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.

• 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 New Mexico’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, $31.4 billion in goods are shipped from sites in New Mexico and another $46.6 billion in goods are shipped to sites in New Mexico, mostly by truck.
• Sixty-five percent of the goods shipped annually from sites in New Mexico are carried by trucks and another 18 percent are carried by courier services or multiple mode deliveries, which include trucking.

• 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.

• Site Selection magazine’s 2010 survey of corporate real estate executives found that transportation infrastructure was the third most important selection factor in site location decisions, behind only work force skills and state and local taxes.

• A 2007 analysis by the Federal Highway Administration found that every $1 billion invested in highway construction would support approximately 27,800 jobs, including approximately 9,500 in the construction sector, approximately 4,300 jobs in industries supporting the construction sector, and approximately 14,000 other jobs induced in non-construction related sectors of the economy.
• 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. 

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