Skip to main content

TomTom survey shows congestion worsening in 200 global cities

A survey of more than 200 major global cities shows that commuters in Istanbul experience the worst overall traffic congestion. The average 30-minute drive in Istanbul takes more than an hour during evening rush hour, leading to an extra 125 hours wasted stuck in traffic every year, according to the latest Traffic Index Survey from Tom Tom. However, in Los Angeles, a 30 minute commute in the evening rush hour will take 54 minutes, adding an extra 92 hours annually.
April 10, 2015 Read time: 2 mins
A survey of more than 200 major global cities shows that commuters in Istanbul experience the worst overall traffic congestion.

The average 30-minute drive in Istanbul takes more than an hour during evening rush hour, leading to an extra 125 hours wasted stuck in traffic every year, according to the latest Traffic Index Survey from Tom Tom.

However, in Los Angeles, a 30 minute commute in the evening rush hour will take 54 minutes, adding an extra 92 hours annually.

This year 3972 TomTom has expanded its Traffic Index to 218 cities in 36 countries. For the first time, the index includes traffic information for China, Romania, Taiwan, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia and United Arab Emirates. The Traffic Index is based on data collected during 2014.

Overall ranking of most congested cities in 2014:

1.    Istanbul (Turkey)
2.    Mexico City
3.    Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)
4.    Moscow
5.    Salvador (Brazil)
6.    Recife (Brazil)
7.    St. Petersburg (Russia)
8.    Bucharest (Romania)
9.    Warsaw (Poland)
10.    Los Angeles

Top ten cities with the worst evening rush hour:

1.    Istanbul
2.    Moscow
3.    St. Petersburg
4.    Mexico City
5.    Chongqing (China)
6.    Recife
7.    Bucharest
8.    Rio de Janeiro
9.    Shenzhen (China)
10.    Los Angeles

The survey also showed that traffic congestion in UK cities has worsened considerably over the past year, as World Highways had reported earlier. Average journeys in the UK last year took 29% longer than they would in free-flowing traffic – up from a 27% in 2013.

The only UK city where congestion had improved is Bristol, down from 32% to 29% per cent.

To find out more information on the Traffic Index, %$Linker: 2 External <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 0 0 0 oLinkExternal click here Visit TomTom Page false http://www.tomtom.com/trafficindex false false%>.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Sandvik DC125R is new member of DC hammer drill family
    February 13, 2013
    Sandvik DC125R is a new member to the proven Sandvik DC family of compact, rubber-tyred top hammer drill rigs. The fully remote-controlled, hydraulic and self-propelled mini-sized drilling unit on a four-wheel drive carrier, is for drilling 22–45mm holes, and replaces the former Sandvik DC122R, one in the series of rigs originally launched in 1988 under the product name of Tamrock Commando. “A range of job site tests show that the new model offers better manoeuvrability than ever before. This is thanks to t
  • IJM backs out of deal to buy Malaysian road operator SILK
    November 25, 2014
    IJM, one of Malaysia’s largest construction conglomerates, has bailed out of a deal to buy the highways concession business SILK. SILK Holdings, owner of the subsidiary SILK, Sistem Lingkaran-Lebuhraya Kajang, and IJM agreed to end the US$118 million takeover deal that was announced in June, the Sun newspaper reported. SILK holds the concession for the 37km Kajang Traffic Dispersal Ring Road, also called the Silk Highway, until 2037. The road opened in 2004. IJM noted in June, in its filing of intention
  • TISPOL European speeding crackdown nets 120,000 tickets in 24 hours (Video)
    April 28, 2015
    The first pan-European 24-hour speeding enforcement crackdown resulted in police issuing more than 120,000 penalties. TISPOL, the European Traffic Police Network based in London, UK, said the “marathon” took place earlier this month and so far 17 out of 22 participating countries have provided data. A total of 4,352,234 vehicles were checked during the 24 hours. Of the 122,581 speeding offences, 116,479 were detected by police officers, with 6,102 detections using automatic devices. Police in Germa
  • Improved access technology from Ruthmann
    January 6, 2017
    From German firm Ruthmann comes the new Steiger T 7XX unit, which broadens its height performance access equipment series. Featuring sturdy construction, the unit is said to be both robust and durable with fine-grained steel used to maximise the performance of its telescoping boom. The design is weight-optimised, due to high-strength steel being used during fabrication. Lateral reach and working height capacities have been increased and even under heavy loads, the platform is said to be sturdy and stable. T