23.01.2025 17:03
According to INRIX's 2024 Global Traffic Scorecard, Istanbul ranked first in the world for hours lost in traffic last year, with 105 hours. New York, Chicago, London, and Mexico City follow in that order. The report states that traffic congestion is considered an indicator of economic activity.
In Istanbul, last year, the city ranked first in the world for hours lost in traffic, followed by New York, Chicago, London, and Mexico City.
According to the information compiled by AA correspondent from the "2024 Global Traffic Scorecard" report published by the US-based global software and data company INRIX, the report includes transportation data and trends analyzed across 946 urban areas worldwide.
According to the report, the findings provide road authorities, transportation planners, engineers, policymakers, and the public with the opportunity to monitor and measure traffic in their regions. It is stated that the movement of people, goods, and services creates demand for road travel, but when the demand exceeds the supply of road space, it leads to traffic congestion.
ISTANBUL BECAME THE MOST CONGESTED CITY
The report, which also indicates that traffic is seen as a barometer for the economy, stated, "This means that while traffic congestion has a negative impact on the economy, it is also an indicator of economic activity."
According to the report, Istanbul ranks first on the list of the most congested urban areas in terms of hours lost, with 105 hours. The report states that traffic delays in Istanbul have increased by 15% since 2023, surpassing the 102 hours lost in traffic in New York and Chicago. These cities are followed by London with 101 hours and Mexico City with 97 hours.
TRAFFIC PROBLEMS ARE GROWING WORLDWIDE
The report stated, "While most of the metropolitan areas that ranked at the top in 2023 continue to be on the list of the most congested metropolitan areas in 2024, many regions have changed places, including Istanbul's first-time peak position." The report noted that in the global top 100 ranking, 69 cities experienced more delays compared to 2023, 22 had fewer delays, and 9 showed almost no change in delays.
FRIDAY IN THE US IS WORTH MORE THAN ALL OTHER DAYS
According to the report, last year in the US, in addition to New York and Chicago, the hours lost in traffic were 88 for Los Angeles, 79 for Boston, and 77 for Philadelphia. Thus, US cities stood out in the ranking. An average American driver loses 43 hours due to traffic congestion, equivalent to a full workweek, resulting in a time loss valued at $771. The report also indicated that drivers in the US predominantly prefer Fridays for travel, and trips on that day increased more than on any other weekday.
The report stated that the influx of workers also shows its effect outside of working hours, noting, "Trips to city centers in the US have increased more rapidly on weekends, especially weekend nights, compared to weekdays. This may indicate that the vibrancy and mobility of city centers have increased following the damage caused by COVID-19 to office-centric city centers."
DRIVERS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM LOSE TIME WORTH APPROXIMATELY 581 POUNDS STERLING
The report mentioned that there are differences in traffic delays among EU countries, stating, "For example, while delays increased in only half of the urban areas analyzed in France, 65% of the areas in neighboring Spain experienced more delays." The report noted that delays increased in 53 urban areas, accounting for approximately 73% of the urban areas studied in Germany.
In the United Kingdom, drivers lose an average of 61 hours or approximately 581 pounds sterling in time while commuting, while an average German driver loses 43 hours in traffic congestion, equivalent to a time loss of 470 pounds sterling per driver.