Skip to main content

Netherlands faces serious traffic issues

The Netherlands has seen traffic congestion increase by a small percentage in the first six months of 2017 when compared with the same period during 2016.
July 4, 2017 Read time: 1 min

The Netherlands has seen traffic congestion increase by a small percentage in the first six months of 2017 when compared with the same period during 2016. This follows a three year period in which the country’s traffic volumes have grown significantly year by year. The research into the traffic data has been carried out by travel and transport body ANWB. Of note is that peak period traffic flows during the morning have not resulted in congestion, while the evening rush hours have seen more delays to journeys. The city of Rotterdam saw particularly bad traffic, with congestion increasing 13%.

However there is concern that far more serious traffic congestion could occur in the future due to potential technical issues with the country’s road bridges and road tunnels. The issue has been highlighted in a study carried out by research bureau Sweco. Technical problems with the 750 bridges and 22 tunnels require attention and the work will have to be phased so as to prevent congestion problems from spiralling.

Related Content

  • Norway’s record breaking undersea road tunnel
    February 25, 2015
    The world's deepest road tunnel is currently in construction near Stavanger in Norway but is only the prelude to even larger projects - report and photographs by Adrian Greeman. Norway's convoluted coastline of fjords and high mountains is famously scenic but also a major problem for transport and connections. The country has long experience of constructing tunnels as a result. Now a series of tunnels underway, or in design, around the oil industry city of Stavanger will stretch its skills more than usual.
  • Harsh winter weather impacts on road surfaces
    February 27, 2012
    With warmer weather now spreading across the Northern Hemisphere, the impact of a second successive harsh winter can finally be seen on the roads of many nations. The transport links of many countries were affected badly by tough winter conditions. From the US to Russia and the 27 European Union members, heavy snow blocked roads and led to endless delays.
  • Concern over poor US road safety
    September 20, 2021
    There is growing concern over poor US road safety.
  • US driving distances see continued increase
    September 6, 2017
    New data released by the US Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) shows that US driving topped 2.53 trillion kilometres in the first six months of 2017. This continues a streak of steadily increasing vehicle distances travelled that began in 2011.