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First-Year Effects Of The Energy Crisis On Traffic In Kentucky (Rural Highways) [May 1975], Kenneth R. Agent, Donald R. Herd, Rolands L. Rizenbergs

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The Arab oil embargo in mid-October 1973 curtailed availability of gasoline. Fuel conservation measures resulted in reduced travel and decreased traffic speeds. On March 1, 1974, posted speed was set at 55 mph (24.6 m/s) on rural highways in Kentucky. Traffic volumes, speeds, and accidents for the rural highway during the period known as the "energy crisis" and its after effects were compared to the corresponding period a year earlier.

Traffic volumes began to decline in December 1973 and continued through September 1974. Total travel in the 12 months through November 1974 decreased by 2.3 percent; traffic increased by five …