Vehicle Occupancy Rates
March 8, 2010
The average number of persons occupying a car is 1.59 and has not changed much since 1995. The largest increases from 1995 to 2009 have been in the occupancy rates for vans – from 2.07 to 2.35 – and sport-utility vehicles – from 1.70 to 1.92 persons per vehicle.
Average Vehicle Occupancy, 1995, 2001, and 2009
Average Vehicle Occupancy, 1995, 2001, and 2009
| Mode | 1995 | 2001 | 2009 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Car | 1.59 | 1.57 | 1.59 |
| Van | 2.07 | 2.22 | 2.35 |
| Sport utility | 1.70 | 1.76 | 1.92 |
| Pickup | 1.38 | 1.48 | 1.49 |
| Other truck | 1.12 | 1.18 | 1.12 |
| Motorcycle | 1.18 | 1.22 | 1.18 |
Sources
- U.S. Department of Transportation, 2001 and 2009 National Household Travel Survey.
- U.S. Department of Transportation, 1995 NPTS Databook, October 2001, p. 7-13.