Bengaluru, known for its tech scene, holds the sixth spot among 387 cities globally, as per TomTom's latest traffic index for 2023. The city's average vehicle speed is 18 kmph, taking around 28.10 minutes to cover a 10 km distance. While this is a minute improvement from 2022, Bengaluru loses approximately 132 hours per year during peak hours, according to the 2023 index.
Internationally, London tops the list, followed by Dublin, Toronto, Milan, and Lima. Pune also made it to the top 10, securing the seventh position. In India, Delhi stands as the 44th most congested city center, with an average of 21 minutes and 40 seconds to cover 10 km in 2023, slightly slower than the previous year.
The TomTom report highlights that Delhi experiences its worst traffic on Tuesdays from 5-6 pm, taking an average of 28 minutes and 10 seconds to cover 10 km. January 17 marked the worst day to travel in Delhi in 2023, coinciding with the return of the cold wave.
Also Read: Delhi Airport Parking Charges.
Regarding congestion, Delhi ranks as the 19th most congested city, with a congestion level of 48%, unchanged from 2021. Dr. Sewa Ram, a transport planning professor, explains that the ongoing increase in vehicle volume with stagnant capacity is a major issue. He emphasizes the neglect of the secondary road network, which shifts congestion rather than resolving it.
Ram stresses the importance of planning primary projects considering the surrounding secondary network, citing the Pragati Maidan tunnel as an example, where despite a high discharge rate, a bottleneck occurs at the entry point due to low road capacities.
Data reveals that in 2023, the average speed decreased in 228 out of 387 cities compared to 2022. Delhi, however, stands as the 11th most improved city in terms of average travel time, with a 30-second improvement over 2022. The average travel time is the time taken for a 10 km journey in both average and peak traffic compared to optimal conditions.
Also Read: Bengaluru Police unveils ASTraM App For Traffic Management.