How did traffic change in 2021?
We observed that in 2021 the global congestion level changed and slightly increased in comparison to 2020, but overall, it remained low.
In 2021, the congestion levels of 70 cities (of the 404 included in this year’s edition) surpassed the 2019 benchmarks. This tells us that traffic is more or less back to normal.
2019
changes from 2018
2020
changes from 2019
2021
changes from 2019
There was an increase in the number of cities with lower congestion levels. Compared to 2019, the number of most congested cities decreased from 13 to 6 (in 2021).
2019
2020
2021
2021 Highlights
See what unique factors influenced traffic in cities and countries around the world.
HIGHLIGHTS 2021
Back to school = back to normal?
In September, in some European countries, the long-awaited return to normality can be foreshadowed in the increase in congestion levels in comparison to 2019.
Some of the the biggest changes were observed in Belgium, Switzerland, Denmark and France.
How did the pandemic affect rush hour?
Peak hours shifted in 158 out of 404 cities. Record shifts of two or three hours in the morning were noticeable in the U.S. and Canadian cities due to morning congestion level being lower than middle-of-the-day congestion level.
158/404 cities
experienced a shift in rush hour in comparison to 2019
Average congestion levels throughout the day in September and October 2019-2021 in Europe and North America
How did AM/PM rush hour congestion change?
September and October reflected a period of relatively high vaccination rates (at least in some countries), with children going back to school in Europe and America before new restrictions were introduced.
- 2019
- 2020
- 2021
We noticed in Europe, AM peak remained a bit lower than in 2019, with PM peak near previous levels. Between peaks hours, congestion was higher. In North America, peak hour congestion was noticeably lower than in 2019, while between peak congestion was the same.
Changes in rush hours in selected countries
How did AM/PM rush hour congestion levels change across countries in September and October 2019-2021?
Lower morning rush hours, higher between peaks
In the Netherlands and Germany we observed a decrease in congestion during morning rush hours, however traffic during mid-day exceeded 2019 levels.
Lower peak congestion, same between peaks
In the United Kingdom and the United States of America we saw a different trend where the congestion during morning and evening rush hours decreased, but the traffic during mid-day and night remained similar to 2019 levels.
Exceeding 2019 levels
Some countries have exceeded the 2019 levels. In France, a change of 2% was visible during both morning and evening rush hours while in Poland only evening rush hour exceeded 2019 levels.
Lower morning rush hours, higher between peaks
In the Netherlands and Germany we observed a decrease in congestion during morning rush hours, however traffic during mid-day exceeded 2019 levels.
Lower peak congestion, same between peaks
In the United Kingdom and the United States of America we saw a different trend where the congestion during morning and evening rush hours decreased, but the traffic during mid-day and night remained similar to 2019 levels.
And what about emissions?
We can’t talk about congestion without mentioning its impact on the environment. Have you ever wondered how traffic and congestion levels affect CO2 emissions? What is the cost of congestion to the environment and what can we do to offset it? What will be the impact of electric vehicle adoption?
read more about methodologyThis year, we analyzed data for four European cities to find answers to often-asked questions. We looked at the cost of congestion, the quantifiable effect of EVs on the environment, as well as the impact of policies around low emission zones.
Total emissions and cost of congestion in 2021
How were cities affected by traffic-related emissions? What was the cost of congestion and its impact on the environment?
Amsterdam
Berlin
London
Paris
Spatial distribution of emissions throughout the day
When and where were greenhouse gases and pollutants emitted in cities? See the changes in air quality due to traffic and congestion.
AmsterdamTotal CO2 emissions in Amsterdam over an average traffic weekday.
Daily Emissions Distribution
The X axis shows the time of day. The Y axis shows the emitted CO2 per hour of the day.
was emitted during an average traffic day due to traffic congestion (daily cost of congestion).
FLEET COMPOSITION
What impact did fleet composition have on emissions?
Amsterdam
47.7%
gasoline vehicles
42.3%
diesel vehicles
0.5%
hybrid vehicles
9.5%
electric vehicles
emitted amount of CO2
Where the yearly EV fleet
electricity demand in
Amsterdam is
120 GWhBerlin
47.0%
gasoline vehicles
51.0%
diesel vehicles
0.5%
hybrid vehicles
1.5%
electric vehicles
emitted amount of CO2
Where the yearly EV fleet
electricity demand in
Berlin is
71 GWhLondon
35.6%
gasoline vehicles
59.6%
diesel vehicles
0.4%
hybrid vehicles
4.4%
electric vehicles
emitted amount of CO2
Where the yearly EV fleet
electricity demand in
London is
718 GWhParis
24.0%
gasoline vehicles
71.5%
diesel vehicles
0.5%
hybrid vehicles
4.0%
electric vehicles
emitted amount of CO2
Where the yearly EV fleet
electricity demand in
Paris is
597 GWhExplore how emissions change when the number of electric vehicles in a fleet increases.
Use the simulator to check different What if scenarios.
Amsterdam0.00 megatonnes
TOTAL EMISSIONS
0 GWh
ELECTRICITY DEMAND
CHANGE THE % OF EVS IN THE FLEET AND OBSERVE ITS IMPACT
0%
FLEET % OF EVS
Watch our on-demand webinar recording and take a deeper dive into the data and methodology behind the TomTom Traffic Index
All webinarsA closer look at traffic, traffic-induced emissions and use of traffic data.
What can traffic tell us about changing lifestyles? How has mobility evolved over lockdowns interspersed with windows of normalcy? How does this impact our society, our economy and our environment? Join us for a webinar as we discuss how traffic data can be used for smarter business decisions.
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