The Real Problem of Los Angeles

Interpretations from the Mayan calendar marked the year 2012 as the end of the world. That didn't happen, but by the look of the freeways in Los Angeles, Calif., they resembled the picture of motorists desperately attempting to escape their city.

The INRIX National Traffic Scorecard listed Los Angeles as the worst traffic city in America. Almost every Southern California resident deals with this highway quagmire on a daily basis.

Dr. Jalal Torabzadeh, a CSULB professor of Engineering, says population growth in the region has greatly increased traffic. In the last thirty years, California's population has nearly doubled indicating more motorists on an ageing highway infrastructure.

A minority of residents is turning to other modes like public transit. But they still complain that these options do not have the preferred consistency and frequency they need. 

"Certain areas are too crowded and are not able to establish any kind of public transportation except buses. And the buses have inconvenient times and are not popular except with low income individuals," he said.

Can Los Angeles ever become a public transit friendly city?

"We started late. Now it is much more expensive and strategically difficult," he said, "However, the benefits of a public transit system would cost the public, government and individual, less." 

The Department of Transportation receives the third largest amount of funding in the 2013- 2014 California State Budget. The goal is to accommodate the cars that are already here. At the same time, highway construction leads to heavier congestion for commuters, e.g. 2010 "carmageddon". 

Richard Rodriguez, of Rosemead, was spending almost $100 a week to fill up his Chevy truck for his commute to his work in Lancaster.

"It would take me an hour and a half to get to work and it took away my energy. I tried to do the carpool thing but no one lived close to me," said Rodriguez.

The three-year project added a 10-mile carpool lane on the 405. Even with this, the time it takes to get to your destination is longer and costs more. What other options is there to help alleviate this problem?

"Families are going to make the big change. If as parents, we can educate our kids on how to not waste energy, time and being more efficient," said Dr. Torabzadeh, "the government is trying but the change has to be at the individual level."

Veronica Gregg, a student at CSULB, takes the Long Beach Transit bus or walks as her two ways of transportation.

"I spend $10 a week max." she said, "A car is not on my want or need list. Los Angeles has, 100 percent, an adequate public transportation system. They (motorists) just need to say go green. That's it."

Gregg's message is simple and clear when it comes to making the switch but for some it is not that easy.  The government and other companies are trying to make it easier for residents to save time and energy.

Government agencies are taking steps forward by implementing flexible hours. This reduces the number of days you come to work but extends the duration of your workday.

Private companies can get involved by establishing toll roads, which show beneficial since motorists are willing to pay to not get caught in traffic.

"Toll roads can be difficult for urban areas like Los Angeles because we are limited on space," said Dr. Torabzadeh.

Google and Apple iPhone software have added a public transit option when looking up directions to a location. There are websites like www.Go511.com or mobile apps like Transit that can help you find your way around traffic or find a carpool in the Los Angeles area.

Even though it could take longer to get to work by taking public transportation, Rodriquez thinks having more rest and energy for work is more important.

"If I found a route I would consider taking it, a lot more people are using it now a days," said Rodriguez, who is 33 years old and has not tried public transportation since receiving his driver license at the age of 17.  He put up with the commute at the time because he needed the job.

"From the economic downturn a few years ago, it moved some people out of California. Many business closed and moved to other areas," said Dr. Torabzadeh.

Jim Back, the INRIX study's author, agrees that a recovery economy correlates with an increasing return of traffic growth. In a Huffington Post article, he says:

"More people going back to work mean ... more people are willing to go out and spend money. It also means merchants are shipping and receiving more products, further adding to the congestion."

In regards to the future of Los Angeles's transit infrastructure, resources for land and space are limited but if we don't act now the challenge will become greater.  

"We all have responsibilities in making our environment cleaner, we are destroying that. With the industry we have to manage it. We have to have a thinking of living with our environment and even if that means sacrificing some of the luxuries we have," said Dr. Torabzadeh.