"After

four years of public education, this research shows us

definitively that awareness of the air quality problem is

high, and, more importantly, that the public understands

the connection between more traffic congestion and

smog," said Lucy Smethurst, director of the Clean

Air Campaign.

Forty seven

percent of the respondents believed lowering traffic

congestion would enable them to save time, while 24

percent would be able to do other things and 17 percent

would reduce their stress.

While the

public is aware of the detrimental health effects of poor

air quality, the research revealed that this is not a

highly motivating factor in causing changes in commuting

behavior.

Only 15

percent of those interviewed said that an emphasis on

health messages would cause them to change their current

commute behavior.

Instead,

the respondents said the primary motivating messages

should be to show the benefits to the individual and show

what an individual can do to help.

The study

was commissioned by the Department of Transportation as

part of an $800,000 research program.