Up until about 10 years ago, the number of miles driven, per licensed driver, would increase every year. This can be attributed to the Baby Boomer Generation. This generation prefers cars over all other forms of transportation. But, in 2004, this driving boom started to fade. Every year more baby boomers retire, and stop their daily commute.
Millennials show little interest in driving
Over the past decade, the number of miles driven in America has been on decline. Many believe this is due to the Millennials, who show little interest in driving. The new generation is more open to alternative modes of transportation, such as biking, walking, or using public transit systems. Because Millennials are starting to make up a larger portion of the nation’s working population, the number of commuters has drastically fallen.
Reduction in Driving to Continue
Considering that Millennials are less interested in driving than their parents, another driving boom will not likely occur anytime soon. In fact, the annual number of miles driven is expected to continue to drop over the next 20-30 years.
Those born after 1980 generally prefer to live in urban areas, where driving is less important, and residents can walk or ride a bike to their destination. Young people are increasingly embracing public transportation, as they feel it’s very convenient and pragmatic alternative to automobiles. It is constant with their environment beliefs, and it is much cheaper cars.
Millennials are the largest generation in the United States, with 86 million people it is 7% larger than the baby boomer generation. With this in mind, it is clear that cities will have to rethink their transportation priorities in the future. Developers will have to change the way they plan and design transportation systems.
Millennials to Affect Transportation Trends
Urban planners will have to take the needs of the Millennials into consideration when designing future transportation systems. Since this generation’s lifestyle is much different than previous generation’s, transportation policies will have to undergo a major change.
Years ago, the desire to drive led to increased traffic congestion. This prompted authorities to expand existing highways and start building new ones. Millennials could help change this trend, and switch the focus to the public transportation system.
Transportation plans in the U.S. are bound to be reshaped over the following years. Some states have already started increasing investment in public transportation, working on bus-rapid transit and light-rail projects, and promoting bike-sharing programs.
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