Columbus Dispatch: Reduced traffic means less money for road maintenance

Travel patterns have changed since start of COVID-19 pandemic

One of the lingering effects of COVID-19 has been fewer cars on roadways, which could have significant effects on businesses, commuters and taxpayers, the Columbus Dispatch reported.

Munir Nazzal

Munir Nazzal, professor of civil engineering

Car traffic is down 6% to 9% compared to 2019, according to the Ohio Department of Transportation. Truck traffic is up between 10% and 13%, though, as more people rely on online shopping. Overall traffic is down 4%.

With fewer drivers on the road, governments will receive less money from gasoline taxes to maintain roads.

"There will be less consumption of fuel specifically from passenger cars," said Munir Nazzal, a professor of civil engineering at the University of Cincinnati. "This means that you will have less money to maintain roads."

To deal with the reduced revenue and heavier truck traffic, researchers are seeking stronger materials for roadways.

“The goal always is to increase the service life of the roads,” Nazzal said.

Read more from the Columbus Dispatch.

Featured image at top courtesy of Unsplash.

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