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Report: SCV-To-L.A. Commuters Have World’s Worst Traffic Times

Despite other countries and roadways having severe congestion problems of their own, the amount of time Los Angeles residents spend on the roads has the city topping the list.


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Drivers in Los Angeles spend 104 hours annually sitting in congestion, over 10 hours longer than the next closest city, Moscow (91 hours), according to the INRIX Global Traffic Scorecard.

The study found drivers in Los Angeles are spending overall 13 percent of their time on the roads sitting in traffic, with that figure jumping up to 22 percent during peak hours.

While these numbers are eye-catching, they are notably lower than the next closest cities on the scorecard, with drivers in Moscow spending overall 25 percent of their time on the road in traffic.

The study detailed not only the amount of time drivers spend sitting in congestion, but also the amount of money being burned while sitting in traffic. Traffic congestion cost Los Angeles $9.6 billion in 2016, with an average of $2,408 per driver, according to the study.

These costs are split into two categories, direct and indirect costs, with direct costs factoring in the costs of fuel and time lost while indirect costs refer to freight and business fees from company vehicles idling in traffic, which are passed on to households through higher prices, according to the study.   

“A stable U.S. economy, continued urbanization of major cities and factors such as employment growth and low gas prices have all contributed to increased traffic in 2016. Congestion also costs our country hundreds of billions of dollars, threatens future economic growth and lowers our quality of life. Traffic truly is a double-edged sword,” said Bob Pishue, senior economist at INRIX in a press release.

“The demand for driving is expected to continue to rise, while the supply of roadway will remain flat. Using big data and technology to improve operations of existing roadways offers a more immediate impact on traffic flows and mobility while transportation officials explore strategic capital investments.”

One of the more curious findings of this study was that despite drivers in Los Angeles spending more hours a year sitting in traffic than drivers in any other city on the planet, only one Los Angeles freeway made the list of the top worst traffic corridors – I-10 Eastbound between I-405 and I-110.

About INRIX

INRIX is the global leader in connected car services and transportation analytics, a new approach that leverages big data and the cloud to help manage urban mobility. By aggregating a variety of sources and applying intelligence, INRIX delivers comprehensive data and solutions to help move people, cities, and businesses forward. Our partners are automakers, governments, mobile operators, developers, advertisers, as well as enterprises large and small.

 

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Report: SCV-To-L.A. Commuters Have World’s Worst Traffic Times

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About Cody Como

Cody Como has been a member of the KHTS Staff since March 2016. After beginning as a web intern he was promoted to a Staff Writer in the fall of 2016. As a member of the KHTS News Team he has covered local events ranging from Six Flags Ride Openings and School STEAM Fairs to Brush Fires and Floods. A Graduate of West Ranch High School in Stevenson Ranch, Cody is a near lifelong resident of the Santa Clarita Valley. As a member of the production team Cody works to help bring some of the great KHTS On Air Programming to residents.