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STUDY: Philadelphia Drivers Lose 48 Hours A Year In Traffic

By Tim Jimenez 

PHILADELPHIA (CBS/AP) -- A new national study shows that traffic congestion is at its highest level since before the recession. Drivers hit the road for more than 3 trillion miles in the U.S. last year and the gridlock is costing people time and money.

Being stuck in traffic is such a frustrating part of everyday life for many in the Delaware Valley. Matt from Lafayette Hill, says it's a part of life that is hard to avoid.

"In the afternoon when I go home it's just bumper to bumper everywhere," he said.

Matt, who commutes from Lancaster each morning said he sees a shift in traffic patterns throughout the day.

"Definitely feel it in the morning, evening is even worse, constant traffic everywhere I go."

This traffic study comes from company INRIX and Texas A&M University.

It shows that in the region last year, drivers spent an extra 48 extra hours in their cars because of congestion and it cost them about 11 hundred dollars.

"Especially with some of the road conditions," Matt said. "Like tires, shocks, everything that goes with the car. So I can definitely see extra money being spent."

The message those behind the study want to get out is traffic congestion will only get worse unless everyone gets involved. Meaning investing ion infrastructure, businesses being flexible and drivers rethinking their routines.

The following are urban areas ranked by the average annual extra hours commuters spend in their cars due to delay, together with the cost in lost time and fuel.

1. Washington, D.C.-Virginia-Maryland, 82 hours, $1,834

2. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, 80 hours, $1,711

3. San Francisco-Oakland, 78 hours, $1,675

4. New York-Newark, New Jersey-Connecticut, 74 hours, $1,739

5. San Jose, California, 67 hours, $1,422

6. Boston-New Hampshire-Rhode Island, 64 hours, $1,388

7. Seattle, 63 hours, $1,491

8. Chicago-Indiana, 61 hours, $1,445

8. Houston, 61 hours, $1,490

10. Riverside-San Bernardino, California, 59 hours, $1,316

11. Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, 53 hours, $1,185

12. Atlanta, 52 hours,$1,130

12. Detroit, 52 hours, $1,183

12. Miami, 52 hours, $1,169

12. Austin, Texas, 52 hours, $1,159

12. Portland, Oregon, 52 hours, $1,273

17. Phoenix-Mesa, 51 hours, $1,201

18. Honolulu, 50 hours, $1,125

19. Bridgeport-Stamford, Connecticut, 49 hours, $1,174

19. Denver-Aurora, 49 hours, $1,101

19. Oklahoma City, 49 hours, $1,110

22. Philadelphia, 48 hours, $1,112

23. Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 47 hours, $1,262

23. Tucson, Arizona, 47 hours, $1,128

23. Baltimore, 47 hours, $1,115

23. Minneapolis-St. Paul, 47 hours, $1,035

(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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