Most American households have a motor vehicle. In 1989, just under 9 in 10 American households had at least one automobile, van, or light truck available to use. Over half had two or more. This abundance both solved and created problems.

This brief describes some aspects of our transportation patterns and our relationship with motor vehicles—how we get to work, when we leave, our parking arrangements, the problems of street noise and traffic, and the use of public transportation. Data were collected in the 1989 American Housing Survey, sponsored by the Department of Housing and Urban Development and conducted by the Bureau of the Census. Similar information on transportation patterns and vehicle use will be available for smaller areas in Summary Tape File 3A from the 1990 Census of Housing.

Others in Series

Publication

Home Alone in 1989

December 1992

This brief focuses on one facet of one-person householders—their housing characteristics, and the differences and similarities between men and women.

Publication

Defense Industries Making Adjustments

July 1992

This brief features how defense manufacturers are shifting to civilian production, particularly for capital goods industries.

Publication

Where the Jobs Were: Job Creation in the Late 1980's

June 1992

This brief reveals who was entering jobs, between the end of 1986 and the beginning of 1989, and what kind of jobs were available.

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Related Information

PUBLICATION

Commuting Publications

American Housing Survey (AHS)

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