An annual study done by the Texas Transportation Institute at Texas A&M University found that traffic was better than it had been in a decade during the height of the recession. But roads snarled once again as the economy improved and people returned to work and shopping.  The good news, researchers say, is that traffic jams can be viewed as a sign of prosperity.

Using real-time data to calculate commuter mileage, speed and distance traveled over time, the institute estimated traffic tie-ups cost about $115 billion in 2009. The study released Thursday cites factors such as wasted fuel, lost work hours and delays in shipping goods.

Commuters in Washington and Chicago suffered the most, losing 70 hours a year to traffic delays. Nationally, the average commuter wasted 34 hours in traffic in 2009 — up from 14 hours in 1982, the first year for which researchers have records.

But awful traffic jams are taking their toll as the number of drivers in the Washington region who say they frequently feel uncontrollable anger toward another driver has doubled in the past five years, according to a Washington Post poll taken last year. Almost a third of drivers said they're overcome with that wild rage from time to time.

All those hours stuck in traffic certainly might have something to do with it.

The nexus of road congestion and road rage might prove tenuous, but the fact that frustration can lead to anger is not. Very often, according to an earlier study by AAA's Foundation for Traffic Safety, the traffic incident that turns violent is “the straw that broke the camel's back” for someone living a stress-filled life.

“Very slow or stationary traffic situations present typical conditions in which driver aggression can be allowed to reach detrimental levels,” the foundation concluded.

Pete Ruane, president of the American Road & Transportation Builders Association, said the report underscores the need for Congress to move ahead on the six-year transportation funding reauthorization bill that has been stalled for more than a year.  Incoming Republicans say they want to kill the bill as part of a sweeping overhaul of the nation’s financial problems.

The American Public Transportation Assocation also urged Congress to act.

“There is no doubt that expanding public transportation use is the key to reducing traffic congestion," said William Millar, the association's president. "Congress needs to move on passing a well-funded, multi-year surface transportation authorization bill. Each passing day means a delay in addressing congestion problems which impact individual and undermine business productivity.”

Maybe it’s all those frustrated people stuck on the freeways -– honking horns and flipping the bird. Whatever the reason, visitors voted Los Angeles the rudest city in America, according to a recent Travel & Leisure magazine survey.

That's right, Los Angeles is ruder than New York.

The survey measured a number of different categories. Out of 35 major cities, LA also ranked dead last in public transportation and pedestrian-friendliness.

The feature comes as part of Travel &Leisure's annual "Favorite Cities Survey.” 

Here are the 10 worst:

10. Dallas/Fort Worth?

9. Orlando?

8. Las Vegas?

7. Baltimore?

6. Boston?

5. Washington DC?

4. Miami?

3. Philadelphia?

2. New York City?

1. Los Angeles