WASHINGTON -- The Federal Highway Administration has released new data designed to better pinpoint key traffic chokepoints on some of the nation's busiest roads.

The goal of the information program is to help fleets better plan their travel routes, plus help transportation planners, shippers and other businesses.

"It is more important than ever to make sure we spend hard-earned taxpayer dollars on projects that will create good jobs and help businesses save money," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

The data shows that roadway congestion increased at 61 of 100 identified bottlenecks from 2009 to 2010.

The information builds on a Federal Highway Administration initiative to capture data on truck travel speeds at 100 locations around the country. The information is gathered from GPS and satellite technology in commercial trucks that measures how fast the vehicles travel at any given place and point in time on the key routes.

The FHWA has expanded the list to 250 locations.

"Our highways are critical to commerce and a healthy economy," said Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez. "Accurate and comprehensive information . . . will allow government agencies and the private sector to make smart, data-driven transportation decisions."

Developed through a multi-year FHWA research initiative with the American Transportation Research Institute, the study represents a first-of-its-kind effort to capture information exclusively based on highway travel speeds measured by onboard GPS and satellite technology.

Fleets and operators can use the information to more strategically time and choose their routes to avoid congested areas when possible.

Additional information on each of the 250 locations is available. Go to http://www.atri-online.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=303&Itemid=70.