The cultural impact of the automobile on the United States, particularly in the West, cannot be overstated. Privately owned vehicles, a vast road system, and inexpensive gasoline have profoundly shaped the economics, cities, and family patterns of generations of citizens.
A new report, however, might signal a sea change. In Is Digital Revolution Driving Decline in U.S. Car Culture? a decline of automobile use, ownership, and general interest is laid bare. And while the "cause" of the decline is questionable, the trends, if accurate, are fascinating.