Bengaluru slips from 2nd to 6th spot in global congestion ranking

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: A latest report shared showed that Bengaluru experienced a slight improvement in traffic conditions in 2023 and the city's ranking fell to sixth place from the second position indicating a decrease in the congestion levels.

According to the TomTom Traffic Index 2023, the average travel time for a 10 km drive within the city was approximately 30 minutes in 2022.

However, in 2023, the travel time has decreased to 28 minutes for the same distance.

The TomTom Traffic Index utilizes data gathered from over 600 million in-car navigation systems and smartphones.

By assessing each city, including both the city centre and the broader metropolitan area, TomTom determines the average travel time per kilometre.

This calculation is based on the time taken to cover millions of kilometres driven across the entire network throughout the year 2023.

The comprehensive data analysis allows for a detailed understanding of traffic patterns and congestion levels in various urban areas.

The traffic trends observed in 2023 indicate a widespread reduction in average speeds across most cities.

Among the 387 cities scrutinized in the traffic index, 82 experienced no change in their average speed, while 77 witnessed an improvement in average speed, resulting in shorter journey times compared to the previous year. In the remaining 228 cities, average speeds saw a decline.

According to the index, residents of Bengaluru spent a total of 132 hours stuck in traffic throughout the year, maintaining an average driving speed of 18 km/hr.

The report further highlights an additional 15 minutes spent during the morning rush hour and an extra 19 minutes during the evening rush hour for a 10 km journey.

In 2023, the most challenging day for commuting in Bengaluru was Wednesday, September 27, when navigating a 10 km distance took almost 33 minutes.

This particular day witnessed severe gridlock, attributed to prolonged congestion, as numerous residents were intending to depart the city for an extended weekend.

Additionally, the congestion was predominantly observed on the Outer Ring Road, where a multitude of private vehicles from tech parks simultaneously excited, contributing to the traffic situation.

However, it is noteworthy that the overall time spent in traffic in 2023 witnessed a significant reduction, totalling 1 hour and 44 minutes less than the previous year, reflecting positive trends.

Furthermore, the identified ‘worst rush hour’ for driving in Bengaluru was found to be on Fridays between 6 pm and 7 pm, with commuters experiencing an average travel time of nearly 36 minutes to cover a distance of 10 km, as indicated in the report.

The peak congestion period is consistently recorded between 6 pm and 8 pm on all days, except Sundays, according to the insightful findings.

London has maintained its position as the ‘Most Congested City’ globally, requiring 37 minutes and 20 seconds to cover a distance of 10 km. India’s Pune has secured a spot in the top-10 list of the world’s most congested cities.

As per the TomTom Traffic Index, the average travel time in Pune was 27 minutes and 50 seconds to cover a distance of 10 km last year, indicating a 30-second increase from 2022.

TomTom Traffic Index analyzed 387 cities across 55 countries, assessing the average travel time.

The evaluation incorporated diverse vehicles, including those with petrol, diesel, and electric drivetrains, aiming to gauge traffic efficiency on a global scale.