The Commuting Paradox Evidence from the Top Twenty

Abstract A comparison of auto commuting trip durations from the 1985 American Housing Survey to data from the 1980 census for the twenty largest metropolitan areas suggests that during the study period average trip times either fell by a statistically significant amount or remained the same. A paradox may exist in the widespread reports of congestion in spite of stable average trip durations. Perhaps average commute times are contained by the location adjustments that households and businesses make. Perhaps there is no paradox. Location adjustments would not be made were it not for the perception of congestion.