Cities with the Worst Traffic in the World
One of the challenges facing many cities in the world is traffic congestion. Among the major causes of traffic congestion in cities include road works, accidents, and an increased number of cars on roads. Traffic congestion is characterized by slower speed and wastage of time in long queues. Many governments are adopting the rail system to decongest their cities. They are also improving cycling infrastructure to help reduce traffic congestion.
In this article, you are going to learn about the worst city traffic in the world, hours lost, traffic congestion during peak hours, and last mile speed.
Top 10 Cities with the Worst Traffic in the World
What cities have the worst traffic in the world? The following are some of the worst cities for traffic in the world.
1. London - United Kingdom
- Hours lost: 148 hours
- Last mile speed: 14 mph
London is the city with the worst traffic in the world. Although the city has many double-decker buses, the traffic situation is very bad. London traffic is worst during peak hours. It starts to build at 6:30 am, but it is busiest between 7.30 am and 9:30 am.
2. Rio de Janeiro - Brazil
- Hours lost: 140 hours
- Last mile speed: 11 mph
One of the causes of traffic congestion in Rio de Janeiro is the mountainous geography of the city. Traffic congestion occurs during peak hours in the morning from 8 am to 10 am and in the evening from 4 pm to 8 pm every day.
3. Brussels - Belgium
- Hours lost: 134 hours
- Last mile speed: 13 mph
Traffic congestion in Brussels is mainly caused by roadworks, traffic jams, accidents, and slow-moving traffic. Traffic congestion is highest during morning and evening peak hours. Traffic congestion is shorter during the evening rush compared to the morning rush.
4. Paris - France
- Hours lost: 140 hours
- Last mile speed: 13 mph
Paris is among the cities with the worst traffic in Europe and the world at large. Traffic is worst during peak hours when it starts from 8:30 am up to about 10 am. The other peak is between 6:30 pm and 7:30 pm. If you want to avoid traffic, travel during the wee hours of the morning before 7:30 am. Traffic is least at 1:30 pm.
5. Moscow - Russia
- Hours lost: 108 hours
- Last mile speed: 15 mph
Moscow is another city with worst traffic in the world. If you are using over-ground public transport or taxi in Moscow, expect to get stuck in a traffic jam. Traffic congestion is worst during peak hours of between 8 am to10 am when people are going to work and 5 pm to 7 pm when people are leaving work.
6. Rome - Italy
- Hours lost: 107 hours
- Last mile speed: 15 mph
It is challenging to drive during peak hours in Rome. The streets are usually narrow and congested. Traffic is worst during peak hours of between 9 am and 10 am and in the evening between 4 pm and 7 pm. It is even more challenging to find a parking space in Rome. To avoid traffic, use a train to commute.
7. New York City - United States
- Hours lost: 102 hours
- Last mile speed: 12 mph
New York is a notorious city with traffic that starts in the morning between 7:30 am and 9:30 am and in the evening between 5 pm and 7 pm. Using buses and taxes can take you longer to commute. Traffic congestion is least before 5:30 am.
Also read: Cities with the worst traffic in the US.
8. Bogota - Columbia
- Hours lost: 94 hours
- Last mile speed: 11 mph
Bogota in Columbia is the other city with the worst traffic. Bogota is the largest city in Columbia with a traffic of about 7.4 million people. Traffic is busiest between 6:00 am and 8:30 am when people are going to work and 3:30 pm and 7:30 pm when people are leaving work. Although the city has a bus rapid transit system, traffic congestion is still bad.
9. Istanbul - Turkey
- Hours lost: 88 hours
- Last mile speed: 14 mph
Istanbul is also a busy city and one of the worst cities for traffic in the world. Traffic is busy between 8 am and 10 am in the morning as people are going to work and 5 pm and 8 pm when people are leaving work. The transport system in Istanbul is poorly planned and it is the main cause of traffic congestion.
10. Mexico City - Mexico
- Hours lost: 67 hours
- Last mile speed: 13 mph
Many people in Mexico rely on cars to commute. Mexico is also a densely populated city. This makes Mexico one of the cities with the worst traffic in the world. Traffic in Mexico City is busiest between 6 am and 9 am in the morning and 6 pm and 9 pm in the evening every day.
Summary of Cities with Worst Traffic in the World
The above are some of the cities with the worst traffic congestion in the world. Traffic congestion is worst during peak hours when people are going and leaving work. Governments in the world are working to reduce traffic congestion in cities through rail system infrastructure and improving cycling infrastructure. This way, time lost in traffic jams will be significantly reduced, hence improve productivity.
