TomTom: Vancouver, Toronto are most congested cities in Canada

TomTom released its fourth global Traffic Index. This year’s Traffic Index showed that traffic congestion on secondary roads is worse than main roads, and commuters around the world are spending an average of eight working days a year stuck in traffic. In fact, it is revealed that traffic shortcuts drivers take to avoid congestion are actually ‘long cuts’, adding 50 per cent more travel time to journeys. 

In Canada’s most congested city – Vancouver – the average person experiences 87 hours of delay time a year, based on a 30 minute commute daily. While in Toronto, Canada’s second most congested city, the average person faces 83 hours of delays each year based on the same commute time.    

TomTom’s Traffic Index reports the most congested day of 2013 in Vancouver was November 15.  In Toronto it was Friday, February 8.

“Traffic congestion is nothing new, and continues to be a global challenge. The traditional responses to congestion, such as building new roads or widening existing ones are no longer proving to be effective. Real time traffic information can help drivers find the quickest shortcut on their journey, and assist governments to make smarter decisions to improve traffic flow for their cities,” said Harold Goddijn, CEO of TomTom.

The top seven most congested cities in Canada ranked by overall Congestion level in 2013 were:

1.    Vancouver

2.    Toronto

3.    Ottawa

4.    Montreal

5.    Calgary

6.    Quebec

7.    Edmonton