While we are in the throes of the COVID-19 pandemic, many have begun shaking off their cabin fever after months of staying indoors. During the early months of the pandemic, travel was heavily restricted to essential trips, resulting in a sharp decline in the number of miles being driven across the region. As some restrictions eased and safety protocols have been put into place, more people returned to their cars ready to enjoy the great summer weather and maybe even explore one of the region’s more than 2,600 parks.
Car travel typically spikes in the summer as people take advantage of pleasant weather and vacation time to take road trips. This is expected to be true even this summer. According to AAA Michigan, 700 million trips are expected to be taken between July and September nationwide, which represents a decrease of 15 percent from the same period last year. While fewer total trips are forecasted due to adherences to social distancing and the public’s reluctance to use long-distance forms of travel like airplanes or cruise ships, 97 percent of trips are expected to be taken by car, compared to 87 percent last year.
The workforce has also begun hitting the roadways in larger numbers as more employers are re-opening. For those who drove personal vehicles before the travel restrictions, few things will have changed about their commutes. And in fact, their commutes might actually be a bit smoother as the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has continued maintenance and rehabilitation projects throughout the pandemic. For others, as social distancing becomes a new normal, many may forego the carpool or transit options they previously used in favor of commuting alone in a personal vehicle.
As we pile back into our cars and hit the open roads, we should remember that an increase in vehicles on the road can contribute to congestion, increasing vehicle emissions that ultimately reduce air quality and can lead to and further respiratory issues. This is especially concerning as more people are choosing to be more active outdoors.
For those who can, continuing to telework can help reduce the number of vehicles on the roads. If driving is a must, exploring alternative schedules can also help reduce the number of vehicles on the road during peak travel times and help ensure the air remains clean, and we can maintain a great quality of life in Southeast Michigan.
Leave a Reply