New Patterns of Travel. Recently the historic pattern of year-over-year increases in vehicle miles of
travel has shifted, and researchers and
policymakers wonder if the recent
declines indicate a historic turning point
or are simply a product of the economic
downturn that will rebound when the
economy recovers.
One type of travel that has seen
astonishing growth and can be expected to
continue growing is travel to access
medical services. (See Figure 7 on page 8 of report.)
JoAnna and I have recently talked about going from a 2- to 1-car household.
The baby boomers, after decades of high vehicle use, may be shifting some of their travel to other means.
As for JoAnna and me, we bike and take the bus more often..
And then there's the concept known as walkable communities.
It would be difficult to categorize all of Middleton as a walkable community, but the neighborhood where JoAnna and I live certainly fits the description.
Distance to
- Grocery store (Willy Street Co-op): less than 2 blocks
- Drug store: 3 blocks.
- Tiedeman Pond nature trail - 5 minutes
- Hardware store -- 10 minutes.
- Library: 5 blocks -- 10 minutes.
- City Hall -- 10 minutes
- Pheasant Branch nature preserve (closest access point) -- 10 minutes
- Cluster of downtown restaurants including Hubbard Avenue Diner, Vin Santo, Louisianne's, Sofra Family Bistro, Village Green, Free House Pub, Villa Dolce, Tutto Pasta Trattoria, Roman Candle,
- Post office -- 15 minutes.
- Capital Brewery Beer Garden, a great place to spend a summer Friday evening.
