Open main menu
Home
Random
Recent changes
Special pages
Community portal
Preferences
About Wikipedia
Disclaimers
Incubator escapee wiki
Search
User menu
Talk
Dark mode
Contributions
Create account
Log in
Editing
Traffic congestion
(section)
Warning:
You are not logged in. Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits. If you
log in
or
create an account
, your edits will be attributed to your username, along with other benefits.
Anti-spam check. Do
not
fill this in!
==By country== ===Australia=== {{externalvideo|video1=[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnGdc-q5lX4 Traffic Jam Problem In Australia (1965)]}} [[File:Warringah Freeway2.jpg|thumb|Traffic jam on the [[Warringah Freeway]] in [[Sydney]]]] Traffic during peak hours in major Australian cities, such as Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, is usually very congested and can cause considerable delay for motorists. Australians rely mainly on radio and television to obtain current traffic information. GPS, [[webcams]], and online resources are increasingly being used to monitor and relay traffic conditions to motorists.{{citation needed|date=October 2015}} Based on a survey in 2024, Brisbane is the most congested cities in Australia and 10th in the world, with drivers averagely losing 84 hours throughout the year.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2025-01-07 |title=2024 Traffic Rankings: The World's Most Congested Cities Revealed |url=https://ftnnews.com/travel-news/road-travel/2024-traffic-rankings-the-worlds-most-congested-cities-revealed/ |access-date=2025-01-10 |website=ftnnews |language=}}</ref> ===Bangladesh=== [[File:Kazi Nazrul Islam Ave Road, Dhaka. .jpg|thumb|Traffic jam in [[Dhaka]]]] Traffic jams have become intolerable in Dhaka. Some other major reasons are the total absence of a [[rapid transit]] system; the lack of an integrated urban planning scheme for over 30 years;<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ti-bangladesh.org/research/ES_Rajuk_Eng.pdf |title=Corruption in Plan Permission Process in RAJUK: A Study of Violations and Proposals |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120416155839/http://www.ti-bangladesh.org/research/ES_Rajuk_Eng.pdf |archive-date=April 16, 2012 |date=August 2007}}</ref> poorly maintained road surfaces, with potholes rapidly eroded further by frequent flooding and poor or non-existent drainage;<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/more.php?date=2012-07-24&news_id=137724 |title=The Financial Express | Financial Online Newspaper |publisher=Thefinancialexpress-bd.com |access-date=July 12, 2018 |archive-date=July 26, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120726153114/http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/more.php?news_id=137724&date=2012-07-24 |url-status=live }}</ref> haphazard stopping and parking;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.demotix.com/news/1354344/haphazard-parking-causes-more-traffic-jams-dhaka|title=Haphazard parking causes more traffic jams in Dhaka|work=Demotix|access-date=October 5, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006104324/http://www.demotix.com/news/1354344/haphazard-parking-causes-more-traffic-jams-dhaka|archive-date=October 6, 2014}}</ref> poor driving standards;<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://print.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/old/more.php?news_id=137914&date=2012-07-26 |title=Two important behaviour changes for road safety: Tolerance and patience |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525171211/http://print.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/old/more.php?news_id=137914&date=2012-07-26 |archive-date=May 25, 2017 |first=Ridwan |last=Quaium |work=[[The Financial Express (Bangladesh)|The Financial Express]] |volume=20 |issue=207 REGD NO DA 1589 | date=July 26, 2012}}</ref> total lack of alternative routes, with several narrow and (nominally) one-way roads.<ref>{{cite web|title=Traffic Jam at Dhaka|url=https://teletalkbd.com/traffic-jam-paragraph|work=Teletalk Bangladesh|access-date=December 25, 2020|archive-date=January 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210129222351/https://teletalkbd.com/traffic-jam-paragraph/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="The Daily Star">{{Cite news|url=http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=198466|title=Traffic jam|work=The Daily Star|date=August 14, 2011|access-date=May 5, 2012|author=Md. Mirazul Islam|archive-date=March 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210330012647/https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-198466|url-status=live}}</ref> ===Brazil=== [[File:Traffic jam Sao Paulo 09 2006 30.JPG|thumb|Typical traffic jam in [[São Paulo]] downtown, despite [[road space rationing]] by plate number. ''Rua da Consolação'', São Paulo, Brazil]] According to ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' magazine, [[São Paulo]] has the world's worst daily traffic jams.<ref name=Times_SP>{{Cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1733872,00.html|title=The World's Worst Traffic Jams|magazine=Time|date=April 21, 2008|access-date=June 20, 2008|author=Andrew Downie|archive-date=August 26, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130826060457/http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1733872,00.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Based on reports from the ''Companhia de Engenharia de Tráfego'', the city's traffic management agency, the historical congestion record was set on May 23, 2014, with {{Convert|344|km}} of cumulative queues around the city during the evening rush hour.<ref name=BRArecord2014>{{cite news|url=http://economia.uol.com.br/noticias/efe/2014/05/23/sao-paulo-sofre-engarrafamento-recorde-de-344-quilometros.htm|title=São Paulo sofre engarrafamento recorde de 344 quilômetros|language=pt|trans-title=São Paulo suffers record traffic jam of 344 kilometers|author=EFE|publisher=UOL Economia|date=May 23, 2014|access-date=May 25, 2014|archive-date=May 26, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140526011853/http://economia.uol.com.br/noticias/efe/2014/05/23/sao-paulo-sofre-engarrafamento-recorde-de-344-quilometros.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> The previous record occurred on November 14, 2013, with {{Convert|309|km}} of cumulative queues.<ref name=BRArecord2014/> Despite implementation since 1997 of [[road space rationing]] by the last digit of the plate number during rush hours every weekday, traffic in this 20-million-strong city still experiences severe congestion. According to experts, this is due to the accelerated rate of motorization occurring since 2003 and the limited capacity of [[public transport]]. In São Paulo, traffic is growing at a rate of 7.5% per year, with almost 1,000 new cars bought in the city every day.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Shankowsky |first1=Josh |title=Largest Traffic Jams in History |url=https://www.communitycouch.net/auto/what-have-been-the-biggest-traffic-jams-in-history/ |website=Community Couch |publisher=Snap SEO |access-date=February 15, 2021 |archive-date=March 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210330012558/https://www.communitycouch.net/auto/what-have-been-the-biggest-traffic-jams-in-history/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The subway has only {{convert|61|km|mi}} of lines, though 35 further kilometers are under construction or planned by 2010. Every day, many citizens spend between three up to four hours behind the wheel. In order to mitigate the aggravating congestion problem, since June 30, 2008, the road space rationing program was expanded to include and restrict trucks and light commercial vehicles.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www1.folha.uol.com.br/folha/cotidiano/ult95u387928.shtml|title=Kassab restringe carga e descarga em SP e inclui caminhões no rodízio|date=April 1, 2008|publisher=Folha de S.Paulo Online|language=pt|access-date=June 20, 2008|archive-date=April 6, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080406063031/http://www1.folha.uol.com.br/folha/cotidiano/ult95u387928.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.intelog.net/site/default.asp?TroncoID=907492&SecaoID=508074&SubsecaoID=948063&Template=../artigosnoticias/user_exibir.asp&ID=252171&Titulo=Kassab%20cria%20rod%EDzio%20para%20caminh%E3o%20no%20centro|title=Kassab cria rodízio para caminhão no centro|author=Folha de S.Paulo|date=June 18, 2008|publisher=INTELOG|language=pt|access-date=June 20, 2008|archive-date=December 7, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207141159/http://www.intelog.net/site/default.asp?TroncoID=907492&SecaoID=508074&SubsecaoID=948063&Template=..%2Fartigosnoticias%2Fuser_exibir.asp&ID=252171&Titulo=Kassab%20cria%20rod%EDzio%20para%20caminh%E3o%20no%20centro|url-status=live}}</ref> ===Canada=== [[File:401 Gridlock.jpg|thumb|[[Ontario Highway 401|Highway 401]] in Ontario, which passes through Toronto, suffers chronic traffic congestion despite its width of up to 18 lanes.<ref>{{cite news|last=Kalinowski|first=Tess|title=GTA commuter crawl gets slower|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/transportation/article/747348--gta-commuter-crawl-gets-slower|access-date=December 23, 2010|newspaper=Toronto Star|date=January 7, 2010|archive-date=January 10, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100110225015/http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/transportation/article/747348--gta-commuter-crawl-gets-slower|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Kennedy|first=Brendan|title=GTA's worst routes: Highway 401|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/transportation/article/747327--gta-s-worst-routes-highway-401|access-date=December 23, 2010|newspaper=Toronto Star|date=January 7, 2010|archive-date=February 6, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120206080940/http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/transportation/article/747327--gta-s-worst-routes-highway-401|url-status=live}}</ref>]] According to the Toronto Board of Trade, in 2010, [[Toronto]] is ranked as the most congested city of 19 surveyed cities, with an average commute time of 80 minutes.<ref>{{cite news|title=Toronto commuting times worst of 19 major cities, study says|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/transportation/article/787400--toronto-commuting-times-worst-of-19-major-cities-study-says|access-date=December 23, 2010|newspaper=Toronto Star|date=March 30, 2010|author=John Spears|author2=Tess Kalinowski|archive-date=May 2, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100502012034/http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/transportation/article/787400--toronto-commuting-times-worst-of-19-major-cities-study-says|url-status=live}}</ref> ===China=== [[File:Chang'an avenue in Beijing.jpg|thumb|Traffic jam in Beijing]] The [[People's Republic of China|Chinese]] city of [[Beijing]] started a [[Road space rationing in Beijing|license plate rationing]] since the [[2008 Summer Olympics]] whereby each car is banned from the urban core one workday per week, depending on the last digit of its license plate. As of 2016, 11 major Chinese cities have implemented similar policies.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.economist.com/news/china/21700676-chinese-love-their-cars-do-not-want-pay-more-driving-them-great-crawl|title=The great crawl|newspaper=The Economist|access-date=January 7, 2018|archive-date=January 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180107232955/https://www.economist.com/news/china/21700676-chinese-love-their-cars-do-not-want-pay-more-driving-them-great-crawl|url-status=live}}</ref> Towards the end of 2010, Beijing announced a series of drastic measures to tackle the city's chronic traffic congestion, such as limiting the number of new plates issued to passenger cars to 20,000 a month, barring vehicles with non-Beijing plates from entering areas within the Fifth Ring Road during rush hours and expanding its [[Beijing Subway|subway system]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://chinaautoweb.com/2010/12/to-tackle-traffic-jam-beijing-sets-new-car-plate-quota-limits-out-of-towners/|title=To Tackle Traffic Jam, Beijing Sets New Car Plate Quota, Limits Out-of-Towners|publisher=ChinaAutoWeb.com|access-date=January 13, 2011|archive-date=December 28, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101228031411/http://chinaautoweb.com/2010/12/to-tackle-traffic-jam-beijing-sets-new-car-plate-quota-limits-out-of-towners/|url-status=live}}</ref> The government aims to cap the number of locally registered cars in Beijing to below 6.3 million by the end of 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.china.org.cn/china/2018-06/16/content_52358707.htm|title=Beijing takes aim at congestion, pollution with new car limits- China.org.cn|last=相镔|website=www.china.org.cn|access-date=June 22, 2018|archive-date=June 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180616063144/http://www.china.org.cn/china/2018-06/16/content_52358707.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> In addition, more than nine major Chinese cities including [[Shanghai]], [[Guangzhou]] and [[Hangzhou]] started limiting the number of new plates issued to passenger cars in an attempt to curb the growth of car ownership.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-autos-regulations/chinas-nanjing-city-researches-license-plate-restriction-policy-idUSKCN1060FI|title=China's Nanjing city considers limiting issuance of car plates|date=July 26, 2016|work=Reuters|access-date=January 7, 2018|archive-date=January 8, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180108062439/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-autos-regulations/chinas-nanjing-city-researches-license-plate-restriction-policy-idUSKCN1060FI|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wri.org/blog/2015/04/4-lessons-beijing-and-shanghai-show-how-china%E2%80%99s-cities-can-curb-car-congestion|title=4 Lessons from Beijing and Shanghai Show How China's Cities Can Curb Car Congestion {{!}} World Resources Institute|website=www.wri.org|language=en|access-date=January 20, 2018|date=April 10, 2015|archive-date=January 20, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180120235951/http://www.wri.org/blog/2015/04/4-lessons-beijing-and-shanghai-show-how-china%E2%80%99s-cities-can-curb-car-congestion|url-status=live}}</ref> In response to the increased demand to public transit caused by these policies, aggressive programs to [[Urban rail transit in China|rapidly expand]] public transport systems in many Chinese cities are currently underway.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thetransportpolitic.com/2018/01/17/in-response-to-growth-chinese-cities-choose-metros/|title=In response to growth, Chinese cities choose metros|date=January 17, 2018|work=The Transport Politic|access-date=January 20, 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=September 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180907234018/https://www.thetransportpolitic.com/2018/01/17/in-response-to-growth-chinese-cities-choose-metros/|url-status=live}}</ref> A unique Chinese phenomenon of severe traffic congestion occurs during [[Chunyun|Chunyun Period]] or Spring Festival travel season.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/travel/article/travel-china-chunyun/index.html|title=When all of China goes on vacation at once|date=January 13, 2017|work=CNN Travel|access-date=January 7, 2018|language=en|archive-date=January 8, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180108063735/http://www.cnn.com/travel/article/travel-china-chunyun/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> It is a long-held tradition for most Chinese people to reunite with their families during [[Chinese New Year]]. People return to their hometown to have a [[reunion dinner]] with their families on [[Chinese New Year]]. It has been described as the largest annual human migration in the world.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7813267.stm|title=China's holiday rush begins early|date=2009|access-date=January 7, 2018|language=en-GB|archive-date=January 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180119014400/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7813267.stm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/travel/article/china-spring-migration-chunyun/index.html|title=Earth's biggest human migration on a map|date=February 18, 2015|work=CNN Travel|access-date=January 7, 2018|language=en|archive-date=January 8, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180108120423/http://www.cnn.com/travel/article/china-spring-migration-chunyun/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Since the [[Economic reform in the People's Republic of China|economic boom]] and [[Urbanization in China|rapid urbanization]] of China since the late 1970s, many people work and study a considerable distance from their hometowns. Traffic flow is typically directional, with large amounts of the population working in more developed coastal provinces needing travel to their hometowns in the less developed interior. The process reverses near the end of Chunyun. With almost 3 billion trips<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ndrc.gov.cn/gzdt/201702/t20170222_838752.html|title=2017年春运发送旅客近30亿人次|access-date=January 7, 2018|archive-date=March 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170316025310/http://www.ndrc.gov.cn/gzdt/201702/t20170222_838752.html|url-status=live}}</ref> made in 40 days of the 2016 Chunyun Period, the Chinese intercity transportation network is extremely strained during this period. The August 2010 [[China National Highway 110 traffic jam]] in [[Hebei]] province caught media attention for its severity, stretching more than {{convert|100|km}} from August 14 to 26, including at least 11 days of total [[gridlock]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2010/aug/23/worlds-worst-traffic-jam|title=Welcome to the world's worst traffic jam|work=The Guardian|author=Leo Hickman|date=August 23, 2010|access-date=September 20, 2010|archive-date=October 17, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017130545/http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2010/aug/23/worlds-worst-traffic-jam|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.economist.com/node/16909167?story_id=16909167|title=The great crawl of China|publisher=The Economist|date=August 26, 2010|access-date=September 20, 2010|archive-date=October 22, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101022071755/http://www.economist.com/node/16909167?story_id=16909167|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=NYT0810>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/28/world/asia/28china.html|title=China's Growth Leads to Problems Down the Road|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=Michael Wines|date=August 27, 2010|access-date=September 20, 2010|archive-date=January 21, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120121175719/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/28/world/asia/28china.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=straddling%20bus&st=cse|url-status=live}}</ref> The event was caused by a combination of road works and thousands of coal trucks from [[Inner Mongolia]]'s coalfields that travel daily to Beijing. The [[New York Times]] has called this event the "Great Chinese Gridlock of 2010."<ref name=NYT0810/><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/aug/24/china-60-mile-motorway-tailback|title=Gridlock is a way of life for Chinese|work=The Guardian|author=Jonathan Watts|date=August 24, 2010|access-date=September 20, 2010|archive-date=September 15, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130915193304/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/aug/24/china-60-mile-motorway-tailback|url-status=live}}</ref> The congestion is regarded as the worst in history by duration, and is one of the longest in length after the {{convert|175|km}} long Lyon-Paris traffic jam in France on February 16, 1980. Recently, in Hangzhou [[City Brain]] has become active, reducing traffic congestion somewhat.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2019/01/15/tech/alibaba-city-brain-hangzhou/index.html |title=Alibaba's 'City Brain' is slashing congestion in its hometown |date=January 15, 2019 |access-date=June 4, 2020 |archive-date=June 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200604103927/https://edition.cnn.com/2019/01/15/tech/alibaba-city-brain-hangzhou/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> A 2021 study of subway constructions in China found that in the first year of a new subway line, road congestion declined.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Gu|first1=Yizhen|last2=Jiang|first2=Chang|last3=Zhang|first3=Junfu|last4=Zou|first4=Ben|date=2021|title=Subways and Road Congestion|url=https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/app.20190024|journal=American Economic Journal: Applied Economics|language=en|volume=13|issue=2|pages=83–115|doi=10.1257/app.20190024|s2cid=233521120|issn=1945-7782|access-date=March 30, 2021|archive-date=March 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210330012559/https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257%2Fapp.20190024|url-status=live|url-access=subscription}}</ref> ===Greece=== [[File:OpenStreetMap Δακτύλιος 88432808.png|300px|thumb|Athens inner Daktylios limits]] Since the 70s, the traffic on the streets of Athens has increased dramatically, with the existing road network unable to serve the ever-increasing demand. In addition, it has also caused an environmental burden, such as the [[Photochemical Smog|photochemical smog]]. To deal with it, the [[Daktylios]] has been enforced. ===India=== {{unreferenced section|date=June 2023}} [[File:Ratan Lal Market, Kaseru Walan, Paharganj, New Delhi, Delhi, India - panoramio (1).jpg|thumb|Traffic jam in [[New Delhi]]]] The number of vehicles in India is quickly increasing as a growing middle class can now afford to buy cars. India's road conditions have not kept up with the exponential growth in number of vehicles. Various causes for this include: * Private encroachments * Non cooperation among drivers * Unscientific road design * Lack of free ways/exit ways where local roads and main roads intersect * Lack of demarcated footpaths * Lack of bus bays * Lack of cycle tracks * Lack of coordination among various government departments (e.g. digging of roads by telecom/water department and leaving it open) ===Indonesia=== [[File:BNN Temporary Transjakarta Stop at Rush Hour, 2023.jpg|thumb|Traffic congestion in [[Jakarta]], [[West Java]]]] According to a 2015 study by motor oil company [[Castrol]], [[Jakarta]] is found to be the worst city in the world for traffic congestion. Relying on information from [[TomTom]] navigation devices in 78 countries, the index found that drivers are stopping and starting their cars 33,240 times per year on the road. After Jakarta, the worst cities for traffic are [[Istanbul]], [[Mexico City]], [[Surabaya]], and [[St. Petersburg]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Pantazi |first=Chloe |date=February 2, 2015 |title=The Worst Traffic In The World Is In... |url=https://www.thrillist.com/travel/nation/city-with-worst-traffic-jakarta-indonesia-tops-castrol-s-ranking-of-cities-with-most-stop-starts |newspaper=Thrillist |access-date=June 12, 2016 |archive-date=August 16, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816111355/https://www.thrillist.com/travel/nation/city-with-worst-traffic-jakarta-indonesia-tops-castrol-s-ranking-of-cities-with-most-stop-starts |url-status=live }}</ref> Daily congestion in Jakarta is not a recent problem. The expansion of commercial area without [[road expansion]] shows worsening daily congestion even in main roads such as [[Jalan Jenderal Sudirman]], [[Jalan M.H. Thamrin]], and [[Jalan Gajah Mada and Jalan Hayam Wuruk|Jalan Gajah Mada]] in the mid-1970s.<ref>{{cite book |last=Merrillees |first=Scott |date=2015 |title=Jakarta: Portraits of a Capital 1950-1980 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=akLWjgEACAAJ&q=JAKARTA:+Portraits+of+a+Capital+1950-1980 |location=Jakarta |publisher=Equinox Publishing |isbn=9786028397308 |pages=116–7 |access-date=October 29, 2020 |archive-date=March 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210330012722/https://books.google.com/books?id=akLWjgEACAAJ&q=JAKARTA%3A+Portraits+of+a+Capital+1950-1980 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2016, 22 people died as a result of traffic congestion in Java. They were among those stuck in a three-day traffic jam at a [[Toll road|toll]] exit in [[Brebes Regency|Brebes]], [[Central Java]] called [[Brebes Exit]] or 'Brexit'. The traffic block stretched for 21 km here and thousands of cars clogged the highway. Many people died because of carbon monoxide poisoning, fatigue or heat.<ref>{{cite news|title=Twelve people die in traffic jam in Indonesia at junction called 'Brexit'|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/08/indonesia-traffic-jam-deaths-java-brebes-brexit-junction|agency=[[Agence France-Presse]]|date=July 8, 2016|newspaper=[[The Guardian (newspaper)|The Guardian]]|access-date=July 9, 2016|archive-date=July 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160709002700/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/08/indonesia-traffic-jam-deaths-java-brebes-brexit-junction|url-status=live }}</ref> ===New Zealand=== [[File:Auckland traffic - copyright-free photo released to public domain.jpg|thumb|Busy traffic in [[Auckland]], New Zealand]] New Zealand has followed strongly car-oriented transport policies since after World War II (especially in [[Auckland]], where one third of the country's population lives, is New Zealand's most traffic congested city, and has been labeled worse than New York for traffic congestion with commuters sitting in traffic congestion for 95 hours per year),<ref name="GRIFF">{{Cite journal |url=http://www.griffith.edu.au/centre/urp/urp_publications/Issues_Papers/URP_IP5_MeesDodsonAucklandTransport_April2006.pdf |title=Backtracking Auckland: Bureaucratic rationality and public preferences in transport planning |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080413213710/http://www.griffith.edu.au/centre/urp/urp_publications/Issues_Papers/URP_IP5_MeesDodsonAucklandTransport_April2006.pdf |archive-date=April 13, 2008 |last1=Mees |first1=Paul |last2=Dodson |first2=Jago |journal=Urban Research Program Issues Paper 5 |publisher=[[Griffith University]] |date=April 2006}}</ref> and currently has one of the highest car-ownership rates per capita in the world, after the United States.<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia |url=http://www.teara.govt.nz/NewZealandInBrief/Society/8/en |title=Modern Society |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080324141426/http://www.teara.govt.nz/NewZealandInBrief/Society/8/en |archive-date=March 24, 2008 |encyclopedia=[[Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand]] |access-date=April 25, 2008}}</ref> Traffic congestion in New Zealand is increasing with drivers on New Zealand's motorways reported to be struggling to exceed 20 km/h on an average commute, sometimes crawling along at 8 km/h for more than half an hour. ===Philippines=== [[File:Traffic along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City on July 5, 2022 (55339).jpg|thumb|Traffic along [[Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City|Commonwealth Avenue]] in [[Quezon City]] on July 5, 2022]] [[File:Heavy traffic sa EDSA-Tramo (Pasay)(2017-08-04).jpg|thumb|right|upright=0.9|Traffic jam at EDSA-Tramo in [[Pasay]], Metro Manila]] {{Further|Traffic in Metro Manila}} According to a survey by [[Waze]], traffic congestion in [[Metro Manila]] is called the "worst" in the world, after [[Rio de Janeiro]], [[São Paulo]], and [[Jakarta]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Tan|first1=Lara|title=Metro Manila has 'worst traffic on earth', longest commute - Waze|url=http://cnnphilippines.com/metro/2015/10/01/Metro-Manila-Philippines-worst-traffic-longest-commute-Waze-survey.html|access-date=January 17, 2016|agency=[[CNN Philippines]]|date=October 2, 2015|archive-date=January 23, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160123045043/http://cnnphilippines.com/metro/2015/10/01/Metro-Manila-Philippines-worst-traffic-longest-commute-Waze-survey.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> It is worsened by [[Traffic violation|violations of traffic laws]], like [[Parking violation|illegal parking]], loading and unloading, [[Red light running|beating the red light]], and [[wrong-way driving]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Liquicia|first1=Chi|title=Manila traffic: the agony, without the ecstasy|url=http://www.latitudenews.com/story/manila-traffic-the-agony-without-the-ecstasy/|access-date=January 17, 2016|agency=Latitude News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160208025450/http://www.latitudenews.com/story/manila-traffic-the-agony-without-the-ecstasy/|archive-date=February 8, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> Traffic congestion in Metro Manila is caused by the large number of registered vehicles, lack of roads, and [[Human overpopulation|overpopulation]], especially in the cities of [[Manila]] and [[Caloocan]], as well as the municipality of [[Pateros]].<ref name=faqph>{{cite web|title=10 Alarming Facts about Traffic in Metro Manila that You Should Know|url=http://faq.ph/facts-about-traffic-in-metro-manila-that-you-should-know/|website=FAQ.ph|access-date=January 17, 2016|archive-date=January 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160118122423/http://faq.ph/facts-about-traffic-in-metro-manila-that-you-should-know/|url-status=live}}</ref> Traffic caused losses of ₱137,500,000,000 on the economy in 2011, and unbuilt roads and railway projects also causes worsening congestion.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Visconti|first1=Katherine|title=Traffic and infrastructure delays cost the Philippines|url=http://www.rappler.com/business/13137-traffic-and-infrastructure-delays-cost-the-philippines|access-date=January 17, 2016|agency=[[Rappler]]|date=September 26, 2012|archive-date=December 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151229154044/http://www.rappler.com/business/13137-traffic-and-infrastructure-delays-cost-the-philippines|url-status=live}}</ref> The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) feared that daily economic losses will reach Php 6,000,000,000 by 2030 if traffic congestion cannot be controlled.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Dela Cruz|first1=Chrisee|title=DPWH chief Villar: Metro traffic jam 'can be solved in 2-3 years|url=http://www.rappler.com/business/211-governance/141731-mark-villar-metro-manila-traffic|access-date=August 7, 2016|agency=[[Rappler]]|date=August 2, 2016|archive-date=August 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160806071817/http://www.rappler.com/business/211-governance/141731-mark-villar-metro-manila-traffic|url-status=live}}</ref> ===Turkey=== [[File:Istanbul Otoyol 2 Richtung FSM 1.jpg|thumb|Traffic congestion in [[Istanbul]]]] In recent years, the [[Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality]] has made huge investments on [[intelligent transportation system]]s and [[public transportation]]. Despite that, traffic is a significant problem in [[Istanbul]]. [[Istanbul]] has chosen the second most congested<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.tomtom.com/lib/doc/trafficindex/2013-1101%20TomTomTrafficIndex2013Q2EUR-km.pdf |title=TomTom European Traffic Index |access-date=February 5, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207030038/http://www.tomtom.com/lib/doc/trafficindex/2013-1101%20TomTomTrafficIndex2013Q2EUR-km.pdf |archive-date=December 7, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and the most sudden-stopping traffic in the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sabah.com.tr/Gundem/2013/10/02/durkalkta-dunya-lideri-istanbul|title='Dur-kalk'ta dünya lideri İstanbul|date=October 2, 2013|work=sabah.com.tr|access-date=October 5, 2014|archive-date=October 6, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006095135/http://www.sabah.com.tr/Gundem/2013/10/02/durkalkta-dunya-lideri-istanbul|url-status=live}}</ref> Travel times in Turkey's largest city take on average 55 percent longer than they should, even in relatively less busy hours.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/istanbul-drowning-in-traffic-chaos-report-announces.aspx?PageID=238&NID=44312&NewsCatID=341|title=Istanbul drowning in traffic chaos, report announces - LOCAL|date=April 5, 2013 |access-date=October 5, 2014|archive-date=October 6, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006095436/http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/istanbul-drowning-in-traffic-chaos-report-announces.aspx?PageID=238&NID=44312&NewsCatID=341|url-status=live}}</ref> ===United Kingdom=== [[File:Traffic Jam - geograph.org.uk - 391642.jpg|thumb|Congestion on [[A64 road]] heading towards to [[York]]]] In the United Kingdom the inevitability of congestion in some urban road networks has been officially recognized since the [[Department for Transport]] set down policies based on the report ''[[Traffic in Towns]]'' in 1963: <blockquote> Even when everything that it is possibly to do by way of building new roads and expanding public transport has been done, there would still be, in the absence of deliberate limitation, more cars trying to move into, or within our cities than could possibly be accommodated.<ref name=tit> {{Cite book| title = Traffic in Towns | date = 1963–1964 | publisher = [[Penguin Books]] in association with [[HMSO]] | at = Para 30 }}</ref> </blockquote> [[File:Railway bridge near Moira - geograph.org.uk - 307866.jpg|thumb|A solution to traffic congestion using [[Northern Ireland Railways]] from [[Moira railway station|Moira]] to [[Belfast Great Victoria Street railway station|Belfast Great Victoria Street]]]] The Department for Transport sees growing congestion as one of the most serious transport problems facing the UK.<ref> {{cite web | title = Tackling congestion on our roads | url = http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roads/roadcongestion/ | publisher = Department for Transport | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080423050200/http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roads/roadcongestion/ | archive-date = April 23, 2008 }}</ref> On December 1, 2006, [[Rod Eddington]] published a UK government-sponsored [[Eddington Transport Study|report into the future of Britain's transport infrastructure]]. The Eddington Transport Study set out the case for action to improve road and rail networks, as a "crucial enabler of sustained productivity and competitiveness". Eddington has estimated that congestion may cost the economy of England £22 bn a year in lost time by 2025. He warned that roads were in serious danger of becoming so congested that the economy would suffer.<ref> {{cite web | title = Delivering choice and reliability | url = http://www.dft.gov.uk/press/speechesstatements/speeches/congestion | publisher = Department for Transport | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081122094312/http://www.dft.gov.uk/press/speechesstatements/speeches/congestion | archive-date = November 22, 2008 }}</ref> At the launch of the report Eddington told journalists and transport industry representatives introducing [[road pricing]] to encourage drivers to drive less was an "economic no-brainer". There was, he said "no attractive alternative". It would allegedly cut congestion by half by 2025, and bring benefits to the British economy totaling £28 bn a year.<ref> {{cite web |title=The Eddington Transport Study |author=Rod Eddington |date=December 2006 |url=http://www.dft.gov.uk/about/strategy/transportstrategy/eddingtonstudy/ |publisher=UK Treasury |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080324002356/http://www.dft.gov.uk/about/strategy/transportstrategy/eddingtonstudy/ |archive-date=March 24, 2008 }}</ref> A [[London congestion charge|congestion charge]] for driving in central London was introduced in 2003. In 2013, ten years later, [[Transport for London]] reported that the scheme resulted in a 10% reduction in traffic volumes from baseline conditions, and an overall reduction of 11% in vehicle kilometers in London. Despite these gains, traffic speeds in central London became progressively slower. ===United States=== [[File:Traffic Jam,1953.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Traffic jam in Los Angeles, 1953]] [[File:Trafficjamoninterstate5atpyramidlake.jpg|thumb|On Fridays in [[California]], [[Interstate 5]] is often congested as Los Angeles residents travel north for the [[Workweek|weekend]].]] [[File:Miami traffic jam, I-95 North rush hour.jpg|thumb|Rush hour traffic in Interstate 95 in [[Miami]]]] [[File:Traffic congestion - US 11E - Morristown, TN.jpg|thumb|Congestion during [[lunch hour]] on [[U.S. Route 11E]] in [[Morristown, Tennessee]]]] The [[Texas Transportation Institute]] estimated that, in 2000, the 75 largest metropolitan areas experienced 3.6 billion vehicle-hours of delay, resulting in 5.7 billion U.S. gallons (21.6 billion liters) in wasted fuel and $67.5 billion in lost productivity, or about 0.7% of the nation's [[Gross domestic product|GDP]]. It also estimated that the annual cost of congestion for each driver was approximately $1,000 in very large cities and $200 in small cities. Traffic congestion is increasing in major cities and delays are becoming more frequent in smaller cities and rural areas. 30% of traffic is cars looking for parking.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://shoup.bol.ucla.edu/CruisingForParkingAccess.pdf |title=Cruising for Parking |access-date=August 11, 2016 |archive-date=March 15, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315094950/http://shoup.bol.ucla.edu/CruisingForParkingAccess.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> According to traffic analysis firm [[INRIX]] in 2019,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Levin|first=Tim|title=The 31 US cities that had the worst traffic in 2019 according to a study|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/us-cities-most-traffic-2019-2020-3|access-date=November 25, 2021|website=Business Insider|language=en-US}}</ref> the top 31 worst US traffic congested cities (measured in average hours wasted per vehicle for the year) were: {| class="wikitable" |+ ! !City !Hours wasted per vehicle !Cost of congestion per driver |- !1 |Boston, Massachusetts |149 hours |$2,205 |- !2 |Chicago, Illinois |145 hours |$2,146 |- !3 |Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |142 hours |$2,102 |- !4 |New York City, New York |140 hours |$2,072 |- !5 |Washington, D.C. |124 hours |$1,835 |- !6 |Los Angeles, California |103 hours |$1,524 |- !7 |San Francisco, California |97 hours |$1,436 |- !8 |Portland, Oregon |89 hours |$1,317 |- !9 |Baltimore, Maryland |84 hours |$1,243 |- !10 |Atlanta, Georgia |82 hours |$1,214 |- !11 |Houston, Texas |81 hours |$1,199 |- !12 |Miami, Florida |81 hours |$1,199 |- !13 |New Orleans, Louisiana |79 hours |$1,169 |- !14 |Seattle, Washington |74 hours |$1,095 |- !15 |Stamford, Connecticut |74 hours |$1,095 |- !16 |Providence, Rhode Island |70 hours |$1,036 |- !17 |San Diego, California |70 hours |$1,036 |- !18 |Austin, Texas |69 hours |$1,021 |- !19 |Sacramento, California |64 hours |$947 |- !20 |Dallas, Texas |63 hours |$932 |- !21 |Denver, Colorado |63 hours |$932 |- !22 |Hartford, Connecticut |61 hours |$903 |- !23 |Minneapolis, Minnesota |52 hours |$770 |- !24 |Charlotte, North Carolina |49 hours |$725 |- !25 |San Juan, Puerto Rico |46 hours |$681 |- !26 |Cleveland, Ohio |44 hours |$651 |- !27 |Columbus, Ohio |43 hours |$636 |- !28 |Milwaukee, Wisconsin |41 hours |$607 |- !29 |Detroit, Michigan |39 hours |$577 |- !30 |San Antonio, Texas |39 hours |$577 |- !31 |Boulder, Colorado |37 hours |$548 |} The most congested highway in the United States, according to a 2010 study of freight congestion (truck speed and travel time), is Chicago's [[Interstate 290 (Illinois)|Interstate 290]] at the [[Circle Interchange]]. The average truck speed was just {{convert|29|mi/h|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web | title = Table 3-9. Top 25 Freight Highway Locations by Freight Congestion Index Rating: 2010 | publisher = [[U.S. Department of Transportation]] | year = 2011 | url = http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/freight/freight_analysis/nat_freight_stats/docs/11factsfigures/table3_9.htm | access-date = July 26, 2013 | archive-date = June 6, 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130606100926/http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/freight/freight_analysis/nat_freight_stats/docs/11factsfigures/table3_9.htm | url-status = dead }}</ref>
Edit summary
(Briefly describe your changes)
By publishing changes, you agree to the
Terms of Use
, and you irrevocably agree to release your contribution under the
CC BY-SA 4.0 License
and the
GFDL
. You agree that a hyperlink or URL is sufficient attribution under the Creative Commons license.
Cancel
Editing help
(opens in new window)