CALIFORNIA'S NEXT CRISIS IS ROADWAY CONGESTION.

Byline: Thomas V. McKernan Jr. Local View

CALIFORNIA'S Legislature has been justifiably occupied with the state's crippling energy crisis for the past couple of months. But in focusing so much energy on electricity, we cannot lose sight of another critical problem that will be facing the state for years to come: increasing traffic congestion that threatens the state's mobility, economic vitality and quality of life.

The looming transportation crisis we face took years to build up and will take time, commitment and creativity to fix.

Now and in the future, allocating resources for transportation must be seen as a vital social and economic need, similar to education, health care and criminal justice.

Since 1980, the number of total roadway miles has increased by 10 percent. But the number of vehicle miles traveled has increased by 100 percent. In Southern California, 95 percent of all commute trips are taken by car. Nearly 100 percent of all goods are delivered to market by truck.

Our state's population continues to grow by 600,000 a year.

Congestion on California's roads and freeways is 65 percent higher than the national average.

In Los Angeles and Orange counties, 84 percent of the freeways are classified as congested. Los Angeles drivers are delayed in traffic an average of 82 hours - more than two full working weeks - and waste an average of 120 gallons of fuel a year.

The quality of our roads is deteriorating and public transit is not living up to its potential. There are more vehicles than ever, traveling more and more miles on roads that are not being maintained or expanded to handle the load. More capacity is needed.

But building more roads or expanding the number of lanes are not the only answers. We also need to identify and adopt innovative ways to more efficiently move people and goods.

In 2000, the California Legislature made transportation one of its top priorities - $6.8 billion was allocated over the next five years toward a multifaceted strategy for improving California's transportation systems.

Democrats and Republicans agreed on the need for funding and finding ways to improve infrastructure planning and development processes. But the legislation signed into law by Gov. Gray Davis is only a down payment. Estimates indicate we'll need a staggering amount - nearly $100 billion over the next decade - to avert a transportation crisis.

The Automobile Club of Southern California is now working on ways to improve and update our transportation systems. We are particularly concerned with recognizing the crucial role of the private passenger vehicle but also seek creative approaches for public transportation to provide high quality, affordable, flexible and efficient alternatives to driving.

We are looking at traffic flows through local communities because gridlock may start at the first red light you hit after leaving home.

We hope our research and ideas will be valuable in shaping California's transportation future.

One thing is certain - hard decisions need to be made regarding revenue resources. While the state will need to continue to invest in transportation, we must first take a close look at how existing transportation dollars are spent.

Some expenditure plans need to be re-evaluated, and the taxes used to support the system need to be rethought.

The Auto Club worked with legislators and Gov. Davis last year to better utilize motorist taxes for transportation purposes. As a result, more of the taxes paid by motorists, including all of the sales and excise tax on gasoline, will now go directly for transportation - something that had not been true in the past.

The Auto Club believes these kinds of decisions are crucial. Meeting our mobility needs must remain on the front burner of the legislative agenda, not only because our members are telling us that congestion is getting worse but because finding workable solutions benefits everyone.

In many ways the current electrical crisis has been a wake-up call for all Californians. We need to do a better job of long-term planning for infrastructure needs. We have a very clear road map of what to expect in the future of transportation. Unless we take action we could congest ourselves into immobility.