May 7, 2014 | Automotive
Good ratings on all roadways have seen a drop, according to a recent AAA survey of motorists. The survey was completed in November, before the long winter took its toll on the roadways. The majority of commuters (37%) say their commute has gotten worse for the first time.All roadways have declines in good ratings, but toll roads and major interstates (such as I 295) still were among the best roadways, according to commuters. Toll roads were ranked as the best maintained with 70% rating the commute Good or Excellent with the Interstates receiving 60% Good or Excellent ratings.
All roadways have declines in good ratings, but toll roads and major interstates (such as I 295) still were among the best roadways, according to commuters. Toll roads were ranked as the best maintained with 70% rating the commute Good or Excellent with the Interstates receiving 60% Good or Excellent ratings. Other roadways in the state did not fare as well, since 2003 Good rankings on state and county roads (such as 1, 9, 31 and 206) have climbed, but this year Good rankings (28%) fell back below 2005 rankings and a majority of commuters ranked the roadways as Fair (35%). Rankings on roadways were fairly consistent throughout the state, with only small geographic differences, except on the local roadways where South Jersey had significantly more poor ratings.
“What we can see is that the years of inadequate funding can be clearly seen by commuters in the conditions of their roadways,” said Rich Bradley, public affairs specialist for AAA South Jersey. “Across the state commuters are seeing worsening conditions and feel there is no end in sight.”
Commuters who use Mass Transit also had poor ratings for their commutes, with 53 percent saying their commute has gotten worse over the last 2 years. Despite the poor ratings, transit usage continues to increase, 12 percent said they used mass transit for part of their commute, up from 7% in 2009. Despite frustration with their commutes, for the first time since 2005, motorists are wary of supporting new taxes to pay to address these concerns, marking a significant change in public sentiment.
“While commuters want roadway repairs to be financed there is a general distrust that the money will get to the right place and an aversion to any increases in taxes,” Bradley said. “This new trend is alarming but at the end of the day a dedicated, stable, sustainable funding stream must be established and that will mean additional costs on the front end, but will save motorists time and money long term.
While there was a lack of support of an increase to the gas tax, respondents did feel that everyone should pay into the system. Fifty-eight percent of motorists agreed that drivers of electric and alternative fuel vehicles should pay a fee that goes into the Transportation Trust Fund. “As legislators look to find ways to finance the Transportation Trust Fund they should find ways to ensure that everyone who uses the roadways is paying their fair share,” said Bradley.
The AAA Clubs of New Jersey—AAA North Jersey, AAA New Jersey Automobile Club, AAA Mid-Atlantic and AAA South Jersey—provide automotive, travel, insurance and financial services to more than two million members through 26 offices across the state. The AAA Clubs of New Jersey are affiliated with AAA, the not-for-profit, fully tax paying federation of automobile clubs, which serves as an advocate for motorists and travelers.
About the poll: This is an analysis of a telephone survey conducted among 1,000 New Jersey motorists in November, 2011. The margin of error for this survey is +/- 3.1% at the 95% confidence interval.