TomTom, the navigation systems company, in its latest Traffic Index Report 2019 has announced the names of the cities that witnessed the most traffic congestion. The report analyses traffic data of some 416 cities across 57 countries from six different continents. Four Indian cities have made it to the list. Find out which ones.
Bengaluru, India
Bengaluru is at number one position in the 'World's Most Congested Cities' index with a congestion percentage of 71. The people of Bengaluru lose a total number of 243 hours on average, which is equal to 10 days and 3 hours, every year in the traffic. This time, if utilised judiciously, can be used to watch over 215 episodes of Game of Thrones. Bengalureans, as the report says, experienced their best day with least traffic on April 6 and the worst day with the most traffic was experienced on August 20, 2019.
Manila, Philippines
Out of 416 cities across 57 countries in urban congestion, Manila is at number two. According to the report, Friday experiences the worst rush hour between 6-7 pm. Traveling after 7 pm on Friday could save up to 5 hours per year for a 30-minute commute. The evening rush on Friday contributes to the average congestion level of 128 %. In the morning, a 30-minute trip takes an extra 29 minutes, while it takes an additional 38 minutes in the evening. A person, for 230 working days in a year, spends 257 hours or 10 days and 17 hours battling congestion. The best day experienced with least traffic was recorded on April 19, with the worst day with most congestion recorded on August 16.
Bogota, Colombia
Bogota city has witnessed a substantial 68 % surge this year, compared to 5 % lesser congestion in 2018 and is at number three. In the morning it takes an additional 28 minutes to cover a 30 minute trip and an additional 33 minutes to cover a 30 minute trip in the evening. The total time lost in a rush hour per year amounts to 230 hours, which is equal to 9 days 14 hours; enough time for someone to knit 10 sweaters and 58 hats. Traveling after 7 pm on Tuesday could save up to 6 hours per year (for a 30-minute commute). The best day with the least traffic was recorded on April 19 with 10 % lower average daily congestion. Meanwhile, the city witnessed the worst day with the most traffic on December 6 with 112 % higher average daily congestion.
Mumbai, India
Mumbai has slipped to rank 4 among 416 cities after topping the list for two consecutive years straight-2017 and 2018. Mumbaikers lose 209 hours, which is equal to 8 days 17 hours per year, driving in rush hours. In the morning, it takes an extra 24 minutes to cover the 30-minute trip and an additional 31 minutes to cover a simple 30 minute trip in the evening. Mumbai recalls March 21 as the best day with the least traffic ad September 9 as worst, for recording the most traffic. Traveling after 8 pm on Friday in the city could save up to 4 hours per year (for a 30-minute commute).
Pune, India
Pune is the 3rd Indian city which has made it to number five position in the top 10 highly choked cities index. According to the report, India has topped the global traffic index with the names of four cities finding place in the report. On average, Punekars spend 193 hours, which is eight days and one hour in traffic each year. The city recorded the heaviest congestion on August 2, 2019, due to heavy rains, while the least congestion was recorded on October 27, 2019, during Diwali. In the morning, a person has to spend an extra 21 min in a 30 min trip while in the evening, a person drives 30 minutes extra per 30 minute trip. As the city witnesses the worst traffic between 7 pm to 8 pm on Friday, it is advisable to travel after 8 pm, which could save up to 5 hours per year (for a 30-minute commute).
Moscow region (oblast)
Moscow is at number 6 position this time in the world's most congested cities index. The city has witnessed 3 % surge in traffic data as compared to the year 2018 when it was on the fifth rank.
A person spends a total number of 225 hours, which is 9 days 9 hours per year driving in rush hours. The city records Thursday as worst weekday. Traveling before 6 PM on Thursday could save up to 5 hours per year (for a 30-minute commute) as the traffic between 6 pm to 7 pm on Thursday is at its peak. The best day in terms of least traffic was May 2, 2019. The city recalls March 7, 2019, as the worst day as it recorded 97 %, highest average daily congestion, traffic. During rush hours, a person has to spend an additional 26 aminute in the morning for a 30 min trip. In the evening, an extra 32 minutes is what a driver takes to complete a 30 min trip. Lima, Peru
Lima is now at the seventh position. It was at number three last year 2018. The city has recorded 57 % congestion, down by 1 % since 2018. An average person spends 209 hours or 8 days 17 hours, driving in rush hours over a year. In the morning time, a person loses an extra 24 minutes for a 30 min trip and an additional 30 minutes for an ideal 30 minute trip in the evening. On Friday, driving between 6 pm to 7 pm could prove to be a bad decision. Meanwhile, traveling before 6 pm on Friday could save up to 4 hours per year ( for a 30 minute commute). The city recorded the least traffic on January 1, 2019 and the worst traffic on May 24, 2019.
New Delhi, India
The capital city is at number eight position this year. The city witnessed a 2 % decrease to 56 %. According to TomTom's 2018 report, New Delhi was at number four. On average, a person spends 190 hours driving in rush hours, which is equal to 7 days 22 hours. The city experiences the worst traffic on Fridays, between 7 pm to 8 pm, so preferably, traveling after 8 pm could save up to 4 hours per year (for a 30-minute commute). A person spends an extra 22 minutes for a 30 minute trip in the morning. In the evening, a person gives an extra 28 minutes for a 30 min trip. The city recorded the least traffic on March 21, meanwhile October 23, 2019 recorded the worst congestion at 81 per cent (highest average daily).
Istanbul, TurkeyIstanbul, which was at number six position in 2018, is now at number 9 in the world's most congested cities index. The city witnessed a 2 % surge in congestion to 55 % now from 53 % last year. The city recalls August 14, 2019 as the best day with the least traffic. Meanwhile, September 20, 2019 has been termed as worst day with a congestion of 82 %. As the city records the worst congestion on Friday between 6 pm to 7 pm, traveling after 7 PM on Friday could save up to 5 hours per year for a 30 minute commute. A person has to spent his extra 24 minutes to complete a 30 min trip in the morning. In the evening, for an average person, an extra 34 minutes is spent to complete a 30 minute trip.
Jakarata, Indonesia
Jakarta, this time as well, is at the 10 position with people spending 174 hours (7 days 6 hours) in traffic snarls every year. For the city, Friday, between 5 pm to 6 pm, records the most congestion. Traveling before 5 pm on Friday is the best option, which could help you save up to 5 hours per year (for a 30 minute commute). For Jakarta, June 4, 2019 was the best day with the least congestion, as it recorded the lowest 9 % congestion that day. The heaviest 91 % traffic was recorded by the city on March 6, 2019. An average person spent 174 hours per year in the traffic, which is equal to 7 days 6 hours. In the morning, an extra 19 minutes is what a 30 minute ride takes. And for a 30 minute trip in the evening, it takes an extra 26 minutes.