Using publicly available data, the authors put the annual public tab at $35.7 billion, which amounts to about $14,000 for every household in the state. Those that do own vehicles pony up an additional $12,000 on average in direct costs.

Holy guacamole.

Imagine how many frickin grassy trams we could have with that amount of money.

Kansas City had 300 miles of street cars and a very walkable city. After WWII they bulldozed entire streets to make room for interstates. Then replaced about half the remaining. Buildings with parking lots.

It killed the downtown. It has slowly improved, but to this day it has never recovered.

Three years ago and no one has batted an eye, the automotive industry has already gripped tight and there is little in the short-term to loosen that chokehold. I guess it starts locally, small changes can add up very quickly. Lose the car, ride a bike, begin telling people about how wasteful vehicles are, share stuff like this. Get friends thinking about clean alternatives.

What's that? The Big Dig wasn't a great use of money? You've got to be kidding.