TomTom has released a report on world’s traffic congestion based on TomTom navigation systems.
12 Canadian cities were analysed for the report that studied traffic conditions in 416 world cities and Vancouver is the most congested city in Canada taking the 40th spot in the World. Toronto came in 80th and Montreal 138th.
Compared to other cities of the world, traffic conditions in Canada are much better, with congestion levels less than 30% for most cities. A 30% congestion level, means that a trip will take 30% more time than it would during uncongested conditions.
Bengaluru takes the top spot this year with drivers in the southern Indian city expecting to spend an average of 71% extra travel time stuck in traffic. Next in the global rankings are Philippine capital, Manila(71%); Bogota in Colombia(68%); last year’s most congested city, Mumbai (65%); and Pune(59%), also in India ;making up the top five most congested cities in the world.
In the US, the top five most congested cities are Los Angeles( rank 31, congestion 42%), New York (rank 52, congestion 37%), San Francisco (rank 59, congestion 36%), San Jose (rank 84, congestion 33%)and Seattle(rank 110, congestion 31%).
Top Canadian cities where drivers spend the most time in traffic
City | World Rank | Congestion Level |
Vancouver | 40 | 39% |
Toronto | 80 | 33% |
Montreal | 138 | 29% |
Ottawa | 139 | 29% |
Halifax | 213 | 25% |
London | 240 | 23% |
Winnipeg | 247 | 22% |
Quebec | 263 | 22% |
Hamiltion | 312 | 19% |
Calgary | 338 | 18% |
Edmonton | 359 | 16% |
Kitchener-Waterloo | 364 | 16% |
Tom Tom’s traffic analysis found that traffic congestion has increased globally during the last decade, and the 239 cities (57%) TomTom included in the new Traffic Index report had increased congestion levels between 2018 and 2019, with only 63 cities showing measurable decreases.This global increase in congestion, despite being an indicator of a strong economy, is understood to cost economies billions.
Congestion did not increase in Calgary and Edmonton from 2018. Congestion levels increased 1% in Vancouver, Toronto, Quebec City, London and Hamilton. There were no change in Winnipeg, while congestion level increased by 3% in Halifax and by 2% in the rest of the Canadian cities.