Dubliners sit in traffic for nearly 9 days each year

Dubliners sit in traffic for nearly 9 days each year making it the 17th most congested in the world (out of 416) and 6th in Europe. Enough time to knit 53 hats.

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James Byrne, Marketing Manager, PML Group

A new traffic index has revealed that Dublin is the 17th most congested city in the world, with Dubliners spending an average of eight days and 21 hours sitting in peak traffic a year.

Increased dwell times increases exposure durations to, and effectiveness of roadside sheetage – billboard and 6 Sheets – both classic & digital. The increasingly lengthy commute isn’t just a traffic jam. It’s a captive audience for advertisers. According to our OCS study 40.5% of Irish adults notice what is advertised on posters/digital screens they reguarly pass while 31% say such advertising makes their journey more interesting.

The TomTom Traffic Index details the traffic situation in 416 cities in 57 countries around the world. The report showed that congestion has risen across Ireland, especially in Dublin where waiting times have gone up by 3%.

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Dublin’s ten most congested roads include Parnell Road / Grove Road, Dalymount / North Circular Road, Dorset Street Lower, Merrion Road, Clanbrassil Street Upper, Drumcondra Road Upper, King Street North / Bolton Street, Church Street / Church Street Upper, Amiens Street and Harold’s Cross Road.

Stephanie Leonard, traffic advisor at TomTom, comments: “When you consider its booming population and rapid economic growth, it’s not surprising that Dublin is one of the world’s most congested cities. Yet the demographic challenges of the city are clearly turning into a congestion nightmare for Dubliners.

“High congestion levels can indicate strong economic activity, but they also represent lost time, productivity and potential for Dublin’s workers.

Thursday evenings at 5pm was the worst time for traffic congestion (105%). TomTom estimates that travelling after 6pm on Thursdays could save commuters up to 6 hours per year (for a 30 minute commute).

The worst day in 2019 for Dublin traffic congestion was 25 October. The highest average congestion level was 82%.

Cork was ranked 75th in the world for traffic congestion, with congestion levels at 33% in 2019, a rise of 1% on the year previous.

The next Irish city on the index is Limerick which had a congestion level of 31% – coming in at 118th place. Congestion in Limerick is up 2% since 2018.

Belfast remains in the top 10 of the most congested cities in the UK. Drivers in Belfast spend an average of 33% extra time travelling during peak hours, which amounts to six days and 14 hours a year, according to the TomTom Traffic Index.

The extra time spent in vehicles, which dropped by one percentage point on last year, means Belfast is the sixth most congested city in the UK and 76th in the world.

Edinburgh tops the UK list at 41% extra time.

According to the study, motorists in Belfast last year spent an extra 22 minutes on each half-hour trip during the morning rush hour and 19 in the evening.