Fact #613: March 8, 2010 Vehicle Occupancy Rates

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
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Supporting Information

Average Vehicle Occupancy, 1995, 2001, and 2009
Mode199520012009
Car1.591.571.59
Van2.072.222.35
Sport utility1.701.761.92
Pickup1.381.481.49
Other truck1.121.181.12
Motorcycle1.181.221.18

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.

 

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