Skip to main content

Coronavirus cuts US congestion, says Inrix

Coronavirus may have thrown transit systems worldwide into disarray, but new data shows the pandemic has alleviated congestion in the US.
By Ben Spencer April 1, 2020 Read time: 1 min
LA's streets are a little emptier than usual (© Veressskun | Dreamstime.com)

In just one week (13-20 March), reduced congestion in 25 of the largest metropolitan areas moved to free-flow traffic, says Inrix.
 
The company found travel speeds increased in Los Angeles from 9% (8am) and 38% (5.30pm) on 13 March to 43% (8am) and 75% (5.30pm) on 20 March.
 
During the same period, Chicago's travel speeds jumped from 8% (8am) and 35% (5.30pm) to 44% (8am) and 74% (5.30pm).

In Phoenix, drivers travelled slightly slower in the morning based on a drop from 20% to 19% but experienced better conditions in the evening with speeds climbing up from 19% to 60%.
 
This upward curve also took place in Miami with travel speeds increasing from 11% to 27% in the morning and going up 25% to 57% in the evening. Drivers travelled more quickly through San Francisco with speeds picking up 17% to 27% (8am) and 29% to 55% at (5.30pm).
 
 

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Investment in pedestrian, cycling initiatives pays off
    June 30, 2014
    Five years after the Non-motorised Transportation Pilot Program (NTPP) was established to measure the impact of investment in walking and cycling initiatives, the US Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has reported a 22.8 per cent increase in walking and a 48.3 per cent increase in cycling, while an estimated 85.1 million vehicle miles were avoided. The NTPP provided approximately US$25 million each to four pilot communities (Columbia, Missouri; Marin County, California; Minneapolis area, Minnesota; an
  • Hayden AI & Snapper Services keep their eyes on the road
    August 29, 2024
    Snapper Services CEO Miki Szikszai and Chris Carson, CEO of Hayden AI, tell Adam Hill about synergy and partnership – and how to make use of data once you’ve gathered it
  • Future mobility trends on display at ITS America annual meeting
    May 15, 2015
    From point-to-point car-sharing to tech-enabled shuttles and other new forms of “micro-transit,” there is no shortage of innovation happening in today’s transportation industry. At the ITS 2015 Annual Meeting & Expo, the Shared-Use Mobility Centre (SUMC) will be coordinating a can’t-miss session featuring four leaders who are driving advancements in shared mobility - Kaye Ceille, President, Zipcar; Joseph Kopser, CEO/Founder, RideScout; Ryan Rzepecki, CEO/Founder, Social Bicycles; and Jennifer Krusius, Pitt
  • Benefits of traffic light synchronisation
    January 27, 2012
    Alicia Parkway corridor, located in Orange County, California, was part of Phase 1 of an inter-jurisdictional Traffic Light Synchronisation Programme (TLSP) in Orange County designed to increase mobility and overall drive quality while reducing fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. By increasing average speeds and reducing travel times via the reduction in stops, the programme sought to reduce vehicle acceleration and deceleration events along the corridor; these have been identified as the leadin