Traffic congestion grew globally in 2024 and many cities around the globe experienced double-digit traffic delay growth. According to the recently released 2024 Global Traffic Scorecard by INRIX, Istanbul in Turkey is the most congested urban area of the world: traffic delays surged 15% from 2023, with drivers losing 105 hours a year due to congestion.
The traffic issue is particularly hot in the US, considering 10 US cities made the top 25 INRIX ranking. Not surprisingly, New York City, Chicago and Los Angeles are the worst conglomerates of the country, where nationwide congestion resulted in drivers losing more than 4 billion hours in 2024, and costed over $ 74 billion in extra fuel, lost time and productivity.
London topped the traffic scorecard in Europe, followed by Paris and Dublin. In the UK capital, drivers suffer delays for about 101 hours and costs for £ 3.85 billion, that means over £ 940 per person.
There are many reasons behind traffic increase. Looking at the US rates, INRIX experts comment overall congestion is still behind pre-pandemic levels, but in 2024 the pullback of remote and hybrid work models in many cities forced more employees back to the office, with a large jump in downtown trips and related traffic. Data also shows more activity on Saturday and Sunday evenings, probably linked to leisure activities fully returning to life.
While congestion can be an indicator of business and economic liveliness, it can also worsen city livability and quality of life, with a direct negative impact on air pollution and carbon footprint.
Did you know that about 30% of urban congestion is due to idle driving to find a parking lot? By designing and implementing IoT-based Smart Parking solutions, municipalities and parking operators can accurately and easily monitor existing parking facilities, offering drivers real-time guidance to reach the nearest available space in less time, consuming less fuel, and saving a lot of stress and frustration.
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