Tag Archive: congestion

  1. London retains title as Europe’s most congested city

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    Source: TomTom

    London has once again earned the title of Europe’s most slow-moving city, according to the latest TomTom Traffic Index data.

    In 2024, the average driver in London spent over 33 minutes traveling just 10 kilometers, surpassing Dublin and Paris as the slowest-moving urban center on the continent.

    Traffic woes escalate

    London’s average travel speed was a mere 18 km/h (11.2 mph), with congestion adding an average of eight minutes per trip compared to free-flowing conditions. The overall congestion level reached 32%, marking a slight increase from the previous year. Morning and evening rush hours were particularly challenging, with journeys taking nearly 40 minutes to cover the same distance. Cumulatively, London drivers lost 113 hours annually to traffic delays, significantly impacting productivity and quality of life.

    Factors driving congestion

    There are several factors believed to contribute to London’s notorious traffic. The city’s historic layout, with narrow and winding streets, struggles to accommodate the growing population of approximately 8.9 million. London also serves as the UK’s economic hub, attracting heavy commuting traffic. Construction projects, such as those on the M25 ring road in 2024, are believed to have likely exacerbated the situation.

    Additionally, it has been stated that the volume of delivery vehicles has surged, partly due to the pandemic-driven rise in e-commerce. While measures like low-traffic neighborhoods (LTNs) have attempted to reduce vehicle movement in some areas, they remain controversial and have sparked protests alongside support.

    Initiatives to address congestion

    Transport for London (TfL) is actively working to alleviate congestion. Key strategies include reducing the 10 million daily car trips in London by encouraging alternative transportation modes which are healthier and more sustainable like walking and cycling, as well as public transit. TfL estimates that more than 30% of these trips could be completed on foot within 25 minutes, while 1.7 million could easily be switched to bus journeys.

    To deter car use, London has long implemented measures such as the congestion charge, now £15 (around €18) for vehicles entering central zones, and the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) fee for high-emission vehicles. Proposals to pedestrianize areas like Oxford Street and ongoing efforts to improve bus travel times aim to further reduce traffic.

    A persistent challenge

    Despite these measures, there are indications that these changes may not be sufficient enough to keep pace with rising demand. Suburban areas of London saw comparatively faster travel times, with an average of 20 minutes for 10 kilometers, underscoring the heavier congestion within the city center.

    As TfL continues to push for sustainable transportation solutions, the challenge remains to balance reducing car use with providing viable alternatives. For now, Londoners must contend with some of the most prolonged commutes in Europe.

  2. Australia set to legalise e-scooters on streets as a part of a plan to reduce city congestion

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    New South Wales is preparing to legalise e-scooter use for commuters in an effort to reduce road congestion.

    Source: Daily Mail

    The “E-micromobility Action plan“, released ahead of a parliamentary inquiry into electric bikes and scooters, aims to establish legal and regulatory guidelines for these devices. Although e-scooters can be purchased legally in New South Wales, using them on public roads is currently prohibited.

    Despite the ban, estimates suggest there are around 459,000 privately owned e-scooters in the state. Shared e-scooter services are also banned, although trials have been approved in select areas, including Albury, Kogarah, Forster-Tuncurry, and Wollongong.

    Transport Minister Jo Haylen supports the plan, which would permit both private and shared e-scooters for commuting to and from rail and Metro stations. Under the proposal, riders must be at least 16 years old, wear helmets, and use bike paths or shared zones. The plan also recommends investments in infrastructure, such as shared paths and parking bays for e-scooters.

    Transport for New South Wales highlighted that the plan “recognises the potential for e-micromobility to be a safe, sustainable and accessible transport option for the people of New South Wales” The department added that e-scooters could provide an efficient “last-mile” solution, connecting people to public transportation.

    Haylen explained that while the focus is on regulating private e-scooters, the government is open to working with councils interested in shared e-scooter initiatives.Haylen expressed that legalising and regulating e-scooters would benefit everyone by alleviating congestion on the state’s roads. She noted, “Allowing people to ride an e-scooter to the shops or nearby train stations will take pressure off our roads and lessen competition for parking,” as reported by the Daily Telegraph. However, she acknowledged that some work remains to strike the right balance.

    According to Ms. Haylen, new regulations are needed for e-scooters and e-bikes due to certain safety concerns highlighted in the report, as the devices are not without controversy. These concerns include speeding, riding on footpaths, operating under the influence, and potential risks to vulnerable pedestrians.

    Between 2020 and 2023, police recorded 124 e-scooter accidents, resulting in three fatalities and 116 injuries, 40 of which were classified as serious.

    Pedestrian Council of Australia CEO Harold Scruby criticised the increase in private e-scooter and e-bike usage as “pure anarchy.” In his submission to the parliamentary inquiry, Scruby warned that these devices could turn footpaths into “hostile” and potentially dangerous areas for pedestrians, stating, “To show such utter contempt for pedestrians and turn footpaths into hostile and potentially lethal environments defies belief.”

    The push for e-scooter legalisation in New South Wales follows Melbourne’s recent decision to ban public e-scooter rentals. In August, Melbourne’s Lord Mayor, Nick Reece, introduced an amended motion in a Future Melbourne committee meeting, resulting in the termination of contracts with e-scooter providers Lime and Neuron. However, the ban does not affect private e-scooters, which remain allowed in the central business district and nearby areas such as Carlton and Southbank.

  3. Paris introduces Limited Traffic Area

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    Source: Paris

    France’s capital city launches initiative to curb through-traffic while promoting eco friendly transportation in city centre

    From November 5, 2024, Paris will enforce a Limited Traffic Area (LTA) in the heart of its city. This initiative, modeled after similar zones in other European cities such as Madrid, Milan, and Rome, aims to curb through-traffic and encourage public and eco-friendly modes of transportation within Paris’s 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th arrondissements. The implementation of this restricted traffic zone is intended to reduce congestion and emissions, promoting a safer and more accessible city centre for pedestrians and cyclists.

    Overview of the Limited Traffic Area (LTA)

    The LTA, covering approximately 131 kilometres of roadways in central Paris, prohibits vehicles from using the area as a transit route to cross from one side of the city to another. Instead, only vehicles that have origins or destinations within the LTA’s boundaries are allowed to enter. Signage around the perimeter will inform drivers when they are approaching, entering, or exiting the restricted zone.

    Key locations, including the Grands Boulevards in the north, the islands of the Cité and Saint-Louis, and the main quays on the Seine’s right bank, are excluded from the LTA, allowing traffic to flow around rather than through the center. According to city officials, approximately 350,000 to 550,000 vehicles cross this sector daily, highlighting the significant impact the LTA could have on reducing overall traffic within the city’s central zone

    Gradual implementation and education phase

    To ensure a smooth transition, the city has instituted a “pedagogical phase” that allows residents and visitors time to adapt to the new restrictions. During this phase, drivers will not face penalties, with authorities focusing on education and awareness. Fines will be enforced in 2025, following additional consultations with the Prefecture of Police. The city has also released informational materials, including a video, to help explain the LTA rules and answer frequently asked questions.

    Who will be able to enter the LTA?

    Access to the LTA is limited to motor vehicles with specific reasons to be in the area, including:

    • Residents or workers based within the LTA boundaries
    • Those making deliveries
    • Individuals visiting medical facilities, shops, or cultural locations such as cinemas
    • People providing professional services or maintenance within the area
    • Cyclists, pedestrians, scooters, and other active transportation modes are unaffected by these restrictions, as the LTA only applies to motorized vehicles.

    Exemptions and special permissions

    Certain vehicles and professionals are exempt from the LTA’s transit restrictions to ensure the continued safety, accessibility, and functioning of essential services within the city center. Vehicles permitted to bypass these rules include:

    • Public transportation vehicles and taxis
    • Priority and emergency response vehicles
    • Public service vehicles for road maintenance and operations
    • Professionals eligible for specialized parking permits, such as healthcare and mobile service providers
    • Car-sharing vehicles and vehicles transporting individuals with disabilities or special mobility needs
    • Additionally, vehicles belonging to the PAM mobility service—a public transport system managed by Île-de-France Mobilités to assist individuals with disabilities—are also permitted unrestricted access to the LTA.

    Looking ahead

    The Paris LTA is one of several traffic-calming initiatives being pursued by European cities, seeking to balance mobility needs with sustainability and livability goals. While restrictions may pose challenges for some drivers, the city anticipates that the LTA will foster a more pedestrian-friendly urban centre, reduce air pollution, and support a healthier, more vibrant Paris for all residents and visitors.

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