American drivers lost on average 36 hours due to congestion this year, according to a new report.
The 2021 Global Traffic scorecard, published by INRIX Inc, which provides mobility analytics and connected car services, identified and ranked congestion and mobility trends in more than 1,000 cities, across 50 countries, as economic and social disruption continued due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The average American driver lost 36 hours due to congestion, a ten-hour increase from 2020, yet 63 hours below pre-pandemic levels.
Drivers in Chicago (104 hours), New York (102 hours) and Philadelphia (90 hours) lost the most time to traffic congestion in 2021 despite being -27 percent to -37 percent below 2019 levels.
Fourth-ranked Boston (78 hours), ranked first in 2019 Traffic Scorecard with 101 hours lost, lagged pre-COVID levels by -47 percent. Washington, D.C.’s congestion levels remained -65 percent below normal, the largest decline of US metros.
“COVID-19’s impact on transportation has continued through 2021, transforming when, where and how people move,” said Bob Pishue, Transportation Analyst at INRIX.
“Although congestion climbed 28 percent this year, Americans still saved 63 hours compared to normal. The most notable change to commuting during the pandemic – other than reduced travel times and volumes – was the lack of downtown travel.”
