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There might be a way to eliminate traffic jams

Just in time for the holiday weekend.

Traffic jams up entering the 110 Freeway in downtown Los Angeles. Since 1982, the average time spent sitting in traffic per year in the U.S. — 36 hours — has more than tripled.
Traffic jams up entering the 110 Freeway in downtown Los Angeles. Since 1982, the average time spent sitting in traffic per year in the U.S. — 36 hours — has more than tripled.
Photo by David McNew/Newsmakers

Next weekend for Labor Day, AAA estimates that 35 million Americans will travel. And about 86 percent are due to fill up their gas tanks for one final summer road trip. 

The company also estimates that it costs about 57 cents a mile to drive. But with so many people on the road, most of that fuel will be wasted idling in traffic. However, there is a glimmer of hope. Benjamin Seibold, a professor at Temple University who studies traffic, said jams can be mitigated simply by changing the way you drive. 

Click the audio player above to hear the interview.

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