The bar chart illustrates the primary reasons why people travelled in the U.S. in 2009,while the pie chart presents the main concerns faced by the travelling public during the same year.
Overall, commuting to and from work was the major purpose, and the cost of travel was the biggest obstacle for travelers. Other categories were less comparatively significant.
In terms of motivation for travel, to and from work accounted for the majority of purpose, making nearly half of the total percentage at 49%. Personal reasons followed at 19%. Shopping and social/recreation stood at 16% and 10%, respectively. In stark contrast, visiting friends/relatives represented the lowest proportion at 6%.
As for the principal issues faced by the travelling public, the price of travel was the most frequently cited problem, which accounted for 36%. In comparison, safety concerns and aggressive drivers also posed major problems, at 19% and 17%, respectively. Highway congestion constituted 14%, whereas limited access to public transport and lack of pedestrian space contributed a modest 8% and 6%, respectively.