California’s roads are among the worst in the country, and because of its deteriorating state, drivers in California cities are forced to shell out more money for maintaining their cars, according to a new study.
The research was led by the TRIP group, a nonprofit organization that studies and distributes economic and technical data on road transport, which assessed road conditions in 25 urban regions with at least 500,000 inhabitants.
The analysis ranked Los Angeles (including Long Beach and Santa Ana) first and second, respectively, on the list of U.S. cities where roads are in a “poor” state.
The paper lays out the deficiencies of U.S. highway infrastructure and suggests that nearly one-third (32 percent) of the nation’s major urban roads — including local and interstate highways, bridges and other circulatory routes — have pavements that are “poor, unacceptable and robust” for motorists.
When is a road considered to be in poor condition?
The importance of roads in development and human relations has had as its main objective the promotion of knowledge in the construction and maintenance of these structures.
In general, the initial purpose of a road is to overcome the union of cities and destinations through an easily accessible road. However, taking into account the technical literature on bridge classifications, it is necessary to consider design aspects, such as obstacles to be overcome, side views, number of free spaces, materials, nature of traffic, etc. It is generally recognized that technically emphasis is placed on large roads with complex structural systems, without adequately considering small and medium-sized roads.
However, thousands of small roads connect countless people, giving them access to needed resource opportunities and a higher flow of production.
Unfortunately, it is possible to note that most rural and urban roads present critical pathological conditions, putting the safety of society at risk and producing economic losses. Such as uneven pavement, temperature fluctuations that damage asphalt, wear, etc.
Why should individual car accidents be investigated?
If the road you were traveling on was irregular or poorly maintained, and that caused you to be in an accident while driving your personal car, you can file a complaint with the government agency responsible for maintaining the road. This is why it is important to investigate single-car accidents, determining the safety of a road could help prevent further accidents and help you gather enough evidence to file a lawsuit.
Who is responsible for maintaining roads, highways and bridges in California?
California’s highway and highway network is critical to the state’s quality of life and economy. However, the degree of deterioration of California’s road network is staggering:
– California’s demolished roads cost motorists $762 a year
– California ranks second in the country in terms of the highest number of roads in “poor condition.”
58% of state highways need pavement rehabilitation or maintenance.
– California has 4 of the 5 cities with the worst road conditions in the country.
55% of local bridges require rehabilitation or replacement.
Nearly 70% of California’s highways and highways are congested.
Without additional funding, a quarter of local roads will be in disrepair by 2024.
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is a California State Agency responsible for controlling the state’s roads, and unfortunately does not have sufficient funds to address these critical deficiencies:
- Local roads and highways face deferred $78 billion maintenance and an annual deficit of $7.800 billion.
- CalTrans faces $59 billion in deferred labor costs and a $5.7 billion annual shortfall in the State Highway Protection Operation (SHOPP).
The Worst Roads in California That Need Maintenance
Uneven or bumpy roads are typical in Los Angeles; It is very common for you to find holes in the streets if you travel around the city. If you think our roads and streets are among the worst in the country, then you’re right. A recent report by the nonprofit group National Transportation Research called TRIP revealed that California is number one in terms of having the worst road conditions in the country.
The research found that 71 percent of roads are in poor condition in the cities of San Francisco and Oakland, putting them first in the research. For second place, there are three cities tied; Los Angeles, Long Beach and Santa Ana, each with 60 percent of their roads in poor condition. Third place goes to another city in California, San Jose, which has 59 percent of its roads in similar condition.
TRIP analyzed the condition of major urban roads in the United States using figures from the Federal Highway Administration. Each year, this administration asks transportation officials how they rate their local roads. During 2016, a third of all roads were classified as bad, while another 39 percent were mediocre. Only 28 percent received a good rating and that number dropped when rural roads were added.
These poor conditions are a problem because drivers and driving hours continue to increase. As the economy improves and gas prices fall, more drivers are motivated to drive for a longer time, which hurts the roads. TRIP reported that, over the past 15 years, drivers have increased by 15 percent. This also means an increase in the number of cargo trucks on the roads. This type of vehicle causes more damage than small ones.
Poor road conditions are not only dangerous, but also expensive. The cost is divided between cities and drivers. With such high percentages, the problem of poor road conditions in California can no longer be ignored.
The TRIP report concluded that short-term repairs would not be sufficient and that preventive measures should be implemented to extend the life of roads. Every hole or bump you pass through affects your car, increases the gasoline it requires and contributes to damaging your vehicle.