#United States #New York #TomTom #Traffic Index #Congestion

TomTom's Traffic Index 2024: A Comprehensive Overview

Introduction

In its latest release, TomTom has unveiled its most extensive Traffic Index report yet, revealing a troubling increase in traffic congestion and decreased travel speeds across various U.S. cities in 2024. The index, which now covers 500 cities across 62 countries, includes data from over 100 new cities compared to previous years. This report serves as a crucial resource for city planners, policymakers, and businesses aiming to address urban mobility challenges.

Key Findings

According to the report, the U.S. has experienced a 9% rise in congestion, with an average congestion level of 15.4% recorded in 2024, compared to 14.1% in 2023. An alarming 76% of the cities analyzed witnessed a decrease in average travel speeds. Key highlights include:

• - New York, San Francisco, and Honolulu were reported as the U.S. cities with the slowest average speeds.
• - In New York City, a typical 6-mile trip took approximately 30 minutes in the city center, with speed averaging around 12 mph.
• - Los Angeles, which continues to be classified as the most congested city, saw an average annual congestion level of 43%.
• - Providence, Rhode Island, noted the largest increase in congestion, jumping nearly 50% from the previous year.

Urban Mobility Challenges

As urban populations grow and economic activities expand, cities face mounting pressures on their transportation systems. Ralf-Peter Schäfer, Vice President of Traffic at TomTom, emphasizes that outdated infrastructure and inefficient road planning are failing to meet these challenges. The rise of e-commerce has also led to increased freight traffic, further complicating the existing situation.

Schäfer states, "Without a shift towards more regulation and sustainable transportation options, we risk exacerbating congestion that impacts everyone in our cities."

Index Methodology

The Traffic Index compiles data from over 600 million connected devices, leveraging 61 billion anonymous GPS data points to provide insights into traffic patterns, speeds, and travel times. This extensive methodology allows for accurate reflections of urban mobility.
The report takes into account both static factors (like infrastructure design) and dynamic factors (such as traffic conditions), influencing the driving experience.

The Future of Urban Mobility

TomTom's Traffic Index aims to provide actionable insights for stakeholders looking to develop smarter urban solutions. The data can help city planners design better infrastructure, policymakers introduce effective transportation policies, and businesses optimize logistics. Schäfer concludes, "Urban mobility is a complex interplay of various factors, and our traffic data enables planners to understand these complexities better, balancing mobility, safety, and accessibility for all."

Visit CES 2025

The complete findings of the 2024 Traffic Index will be presented at the Consumer Electronics Show from January 7-10, 2025, at TomTom's booth in the Las Vegas Convention Center. Stakeholders interested in discussing these findings can schedule a meeting through TomTom's website.

Conclusion

TomTom's latest Traffic Index reveals critical insights into the state of U.S. urban mobility. The report demonstrates that addressing congestion challenges requires a collective approach involving technology, policy change, and infrastructure investment. As cities continue to grow and evolve, the importance of reliable traffic data cannot be overstated.