Satellite navigation specialists TomTom has released its Congestion Index for South Africa, highlighting congestion levels in three cities including Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town.
How the Congestion Index works
The methodology that is used in the Congestion Index compares travel times during non-congested periods (free flow) with travel times in peak hours. The difference is expressed as a percentage increase in travel time. Local roads, arterials and highways are taken into account and all data is based on actual GPS based measurements and the sample size is expressed in total number of measured kilometres for the period.
The Congestion Index evaluates congestion levels in cities at different times of the day and different days of the week. The most congested day, average free flow speed, time delays and congestion levels on highways and local roads are also included.
Traffic congestion levels by city – summary
Johannesburg
Johannesburg is the most congested city in South Africa with a congestion level of 32%. The worst times to travel in Johannesburg are on Monday mornings and Thursday afternoons. The best times to travel in Johannesburg are Friday mornings and Wednesday afternoons. The most congested specific day in Johannesburg was 15 March 2012. Motorists travelling in Johannesburg can expect a delay of 37 minutes for every hour driven in peak hour traffic.
Cape Town
Cape Town is the second most congested city in South Africa with a congestion level of 27%. The worst times to travel in Cape Town are on Monday mornings and Friday afternoons. The best times to travel in Cape Town are on Wednesdays. The most congested specific day in Cape Town was on 16 March 2012. Motorists driving in Cape Town can expect a delay of 34 minutes for every hour spent in peak hour traffic.
Durban
Durban is the least congested city in South Africa with a congestion level of only 16%. The worst times to travel in Durban are on Monday mornings and on Friday afternoons. The best times to travel in Durban are on Wednesdays. The most congested specific day in Durban was on 23 May 2012. Motorists driving in Durban can expect a delay of only 15 minutes for every hour spent in peak hour traffic.
City Congestion Comparison
| City | Delay | Congestion | Morning Peak | Evening Peak | Highways | Non-Highways |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johannesburg | 37 mins | 32% | 88% | 65% | 18% | 39% |
| Cape Town | 34 mins | 27% | 82% | 56% | 23% | 33% |
| Durban | 15 mins | 16% | 45% | 31% | 13% | 26% |
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