Blaming Millennials for Decaying Road Infrastructure

If you thought inflation and fuel efficiency, along with politicians unwillingness to raise gas taxes were the main causes of America's decaying road and bridges, S&P adds another contributing factor—millennial transportation preferences.

2 minute read

October 22, 2015, 10:00 AM PDT

By Irvin Dawid


Pothole

Vladimir Mucibabic / Shutterstock

Millennials are not directly responsible for that pothole you may have just driven through - but their "driving and vehicle purchasing habits—or lack thereof—greatly contribute to the decreased collection of the federal gas tax," writes Kathleen Burke for MarketWatch. And the Highway Trust Fund, where those gas taxes are deposited, is what funds much of the road repair on the interstate highway system.

The millennial blame can be found in S&P's Oct. 19 economic research report, "Millennials Are Creating Unsafe Conditions On U.S. Roads--But Not In The Way You Might Think (pdf)," written by Beth Ann Bovino and Geoffrey E Buswick,

Burke analyzes rates of licenses issued, VMT, public transit usage, and millennial preference for green cars. She omits biking and carshare though—both greatly associated with millennial travel preferences.

But it's not just preferences that are responsible for millennials not propping-up the Highway Trust Fund as other generations have done, observes the Financial Times on the new report.

A major one is the economy: Wages among younger workers have been depressed, while unemployment and underemployment remain high. On top of that, the generation which was born from 1982-2000, also tends to start families later in life, perhaps halting moves into the suburbs where driving is more common.

S&P's report contradicts, to some extent, Yonah Freemark's post that we can't expect millennials to save us from our auto-dependent ways. We may still be a nation of drivers, regardless of millennial travel preferences, but their transportation biases are impacting our ability to pay for road upkeep.

Hat tip to Jennifer Scholtes, transportation reporter for POLITICO Pro.

Tuesday, October 20, 2015 in Marketwatch

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of park ranger in green jacket and khaki hat looking out at Bryce Canyon National Park red rock formations.

National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions

Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.

February 18, 2025 - National Parks Traveler

Paved walking path next to canal in The Woodlands, Texas with office buildings in background.

Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50

A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.

February 19, 2025 - Greg Flisram

Small rural USPS post office in manufactured one-story grey building with American flag in front.

Delivering for America Plan Will Downgrade Mail Service in at Least 49.5 Percent of Zip Codes

Republican and Democrat lawmakers criticize the plan for its disproportionate negative impact on rural communities.

February 12, 2025 - Cowboy State Daily

Chicago

Test News Post 1

This is a summary

April 8 - 2TheAdvocate.com

test alt text

Test News Headline 46

Test for the image on the front page.

March 5 - Cleantech blog

Military humvee driving through gate at Fort Indiantown Gap Natl Guard training center in Pennsylvania surrounded by winter trees and dead leaves.

Balancing Bombs and Butterflies: How the National Guard Protects a Rare Species

The National Guard at Fort Indiantown Gap uses GIS technology and land management strategies to balance military training with conservation efforts, ensuring the survival of the rare eastern regal fritillary butterfly.

February 24 - Esri Blog