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Fact #257: March 3, 2003
Vehicle Occupancy by Type of Vehicle

The average vehicle occupancy, calculated as person-miles per vehicle mile of vans and pickup trucks, has grown the most from 1995 to 2001. The automobile category is the only vehicle type listed that shows a decrease in average vehicle occupancy from 1995 to 2001.

Graph: Vehicle Occupancy by Type of Vehicle

Supporting Information

Average Vehicle Occupancy
Vehicle Type 1995 2001
Automobile 1.59 1.57
Van 2.07 2.22
Sport utility 1.70 1.76
Pickup 1.38 1.48
Other truck 1.12 1.18
Motorcycle 1.18 1.22
Other 1.58 1.63

Sources:
U.S. Department of Transportation, 2001 National Household Travel Survey.
U.S. Department of Transportation, 1995 NPTS Databook, October 2001, pp. 7–13.

 

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