5.4 Transportation

 Americans rely heavily on the highway systems as primary means of transportation.

 A nation’s transportation system is a good indicator of its economic development.

 A 2013 study by Texas Transportation institute states that U.S. urban drivers spend a work week a year in traffic jams.

 28% of energy consumed in U.S. goes towards the transportation of goods and people.

 With a growing population, engineers must meet the demands that increased vehicle traffic will put on the environment, as well as the nation’s roads and bridges.

 Engineers must also develop systems that can reduce traffic congestion, and make mass transportation more efficient.