TomTom, the global positioning system (GPS) device manufacturer and software developer, has revealed South Africa’s most congested cities through its 2012 traffic congestion index.
“With the publication of the TomTom Congestion Index we are aiming to provide the general public, industry and policy makers with unique and unbiased information about congestion levels in urban areas,” said TomTom.
The index showed Johannesburg, South Africa’s largest city, is still the most congested city in the country, with Cape Town following.
Johannesburg’s overall congestion was recorded at 30 per cent, with a morning peak of 79 per cent, while overall congestion in Cape Town was at 26 per cent with morning traffic peaking at 78 per cent.
However, the index shows congestion in Johannesburg decreased last year in comparison with 2011, while both Cape Town and Durban’s congestion increased.
“The methodology that is used in this report 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,” said TomTom.
Furthermore, TomTom said it also takes local roads, arterials and highways into account.
“All data is based on actual GPS based measurements and for each city the sample size is expressed in total number of measured miles for the period.”
