Skip to main content

Inrix ranks U.S. most congested developed country in the world

The U.S. is the most congested developed country in the world, with drivers spending an average of 41 hours a year in traffic during peak hours, costing them nearly $305bn (£220bn) in 2017, an average of $1,445 (£1,042) per driver. The findings come from Inrix’s annual Global Traffic Scorecard, which analysed 1,360 cities across 38 countries. Additionally, the study revealed that the U.S. had three of the top five most congested cities globally, costing an economic drain upwards of $2.5bn (£1.8bn). Los
February 7, 2018 Read time: 2 mins

The U.S. is the most congested developed country in the world, with drivers spending an average of 41 hours a year in traffic during peak hours, costing them nearly $305bn (£220bn) in 2017, an average of $1,445 (£1,042) per driver. The findings come from 163 Inrix’s annual Global Traffic Scorecard, which analysed 1,360 cities across 38 countries.

Additionally, the study revealed that the U.S. had three of the top five most congested cities globally, costing an economic drain upwards of $2.5bn (£1.8bn). Los Angeles came first, where drivers spent an average of 102 hours in traffic jams during peak congestion hours, costing them $2,828 (£2,040) each and the city $19.2bn (£13.8bn) from direct and indirect costs. New York came second (tied with Moscow) with 91 hours while San Francisco ranked fifth with 79 hours.

New York businesses suffered the most from congestion with an average of 14% travel time on weekdays in gridlock and where drivers wasted the most daytime hours stuck in traffic in the entire country. Santa Cruz also had the worst overall daytime congestion on arterial and highways with drivers spending 12% of their days sitting in traffic.

Downtown Metro Insights showed El Paso in Texas had the worst slowdowns where free flow speeds dropped from 43mph to 5mph when congested.

Inrix’s In and Out City Insights found that commuters around Everett in Washington spent more time stuck in traffic than anyone else with a rate of 28% on highways.

Weekend Insights revealed that Las Vegas drivers cruised slowest with congestion speeds at 5mph.

For a third consecutive year, the I-95 Cross Bronx Expressway in New York was ranked the worst corridor in the U.S. with the average driver spending 118 hours per year in congestion, an increase of 37% over last year.

A full copy of the report and additional findings are available on the %$Linker: 2 External <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 0 0 0 link-external website Inrix website link false http://http//inrix.com/scorecard/ false false%>.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Agendum changes name as it moves into smart cities solutions
    April 5, 2019
    Enforcement systems specialist Agendum has rebranded to Parkius as it prepares to expand its services to include smart city solutions. Agendum says users of its parking solution can then use smart data services for monitoring and predicting traffic and parking intensity or inspect traffic signs, street furniture or other objects in the public space. The company’s new website is www.parkius.io
  • Sigma breaks into the French tolling market with deal for Sanef
    March 20, 2018
    Italian vending solutions provider Sigma has entered the French tolling market by supplying self-service payment machines to Sanef, Société des Autoroutes du Nord et de l'Est de la France. Sigma’s cash and electronic payment units are being installed on the motorways A1, A13, A26 and A29. The French deals comes after a recent similar contract in Austria where highways operator Asfinag ordered the TP1000. SIGMA says that it remains the sole supplier of self-service payment machines in Austrian tolled m
  • EU awards finalists announced
    February 26, 2014
    The European Commission has announced the six finalists of two awards which honour the actions of European cities in developing and promoting sustainable approaches to urban mobility. This year’s Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUMP) award recognises cities with SUMPs illustrating the ‘integration of economic, social, and environmental policy criteria’, the theme of the 2013 awards. The award is presented to local authorities which demonstrate excellence in developing and implementing their sustainable
  • Scoot Networks to deploy electric scooters in Chile
    October 23, 2018
    Scoot Networks will gradually deploy 500 electric scooters in Santiago, Chile, to offer citizens a more sustainable mobility option. The pilot programme will take place in Las Condes' business district as part of an agreement with mayor Joaquin Lavin. Gonzalo Cortez, general manager for Santiago, says the scooters reduce air pollution, make streets safer, keep money in the local economy and makes mobility more affordable. In June, Scoot delivered 500 electric scooters and 1,000 electric bicycles in