The given charts illustrate the various purposes of travel and the main issues faced by American travellers in 2009.
Overall, commuting was the most common reason for travel, while visiting friends or relatives accounted for the smallest proportion. In terms of travel issues, the cost of travel was the most significant concern, whereas the lack of pedestrian space was the least problematic.
Regarding the first chart, the proportion of trips for personal reasons, shopping, and recreational activities showed little difference. Specifically, travel for personal purposes accounted for 19%, slightly higher than shopping (16%) and social or recreational activities (10%). Meanwhile, commuting made up the largest share, at 49%, while visiting friends or relatives constituted only 6%.
As for travel-related concerns, the most commonly reported issue was the price of travel, affecting 36% of respondents. Safety concerns were the second most significant problem (19%), followed closely by aggressive drivers (17%). In comparison, highway congestion affected 14% of travellers, nearly double the 8% who cited limited access to public transport. Finally, the least concerning issue was the lack of pedestrian space, affecting just 6% of respondents.