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).
 
 

Urban Traffic Control

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Active traffic management increases safety and capacity
    February 2, 2012
    WSDOT is deploying Active Traffic Management in order to increase safety and capacity on its strategic roads. WSDOT's Patricia Michaud elaborates
    Read More
  • Smart parking technologies: solving drivers parking pain
    March 30, 2017
    Smarter parking can benefit city authorities and other road users as well as drivers looking for a space, argues Dr Graham Cookson. As witnessed by the recent announcements at the Consumer Electronics Show, the automotive industry continues to focus on the driving experience; moving from speed and handling towards safety and efficiency.
    Read More
  • StreetLight Data reveals longest commutes to work across US
    March 12, 2018
    Commuters in the US state of Maine travel 9.8 miles to work on a daily basis, a 72% longer journey than the 5.7-mile median commute in Wyoming, according to the latest report by StreetLight Data. The transportation analytics company conducted its study on nearly 30,000 ZIP codes in areas with over 1,000 residents as part of a strategy to help encourage businesses and governments to start fixing the accessibility gap. The inquiry also highlighted the longest and shortest commutes in each state by ZIP cod
    Read More
  • Trials show fuel savings with connected vehicle technology
    December 16, 2015
    American and European trials point to fuel and emissions reductions. A trial by University of California-Riverside (UC-Riverside) has shown connected vehicle technology has the potential to reduce fuel consumption (and therefore emissions) by up to 18% compared with an uninformed driver.
    Read More

Highlighted Content