Traffic Summary for Canberra
In 2024, Canberra's transportation landscape is dominated by car usage, with 60% of commuters opting for this mode. Public transport, particularly buses, also plays a significant role. The city faces challenges with CO2 emissions and traffic inefficiencies, but there are opportunities for improvement through increased use of sustainable transport options.
Average Commute Times
- Bus - Bus commuters spend approximately 27.86 minutes on the bus and 5.52 minutes walking, with a total distance of 17.71 km.
- Car - Car users experience a driving time of 29.77 minutes and a walking time of 3.30 minutes, covering 27.82 km.
- Walking - Walking commutes take about 16.29 minutes, with additional short times for driving and biking, covering 4.3 km.
Traffic Breakdown
Seasonal Trends
Traffic tends to increase during the summer months as tourists visit Canberra, leading to longer commute times. Winter sees a slight decrease in bicycle usage due to colder weather, impacting overall traffic patterns.
Commuter Pain Points
Commuters often face delays due to traffic congestion during peak hours, particularly on major roads. Limited public transport options in certain areas can lead to longer wait times and less convenience.
Best Travel Times
Traveling outside of peak hours, such as mid-morning or early afternoon, can help avoid the worst traffic congestion. Weekends generally offer smoother traffic conditions, making them ideal for longer trips.
Event Impacts
Public events, such as festivals and sports matches, can cause significant traffic disruptions, particularly in the city center. Planning alternative routes during major events can help mitigate delays.
Sustainability Efforts
Canberra is investing in expanding its network of bike lanes and pedestrian paths to promote sustainable commuting. The city is also exploring electric bus options to reduce emissions from public transport.
Ride-Sharing Impact
Ride-sharing services have become increasingly popular, helping to reduce the number of private cars on the road. These services offer flexible commuting options, particularly in areas with limited public transport.
Traffic Rankings
Canberra ranks 6th on the Traffic rankings in Australia. The Traffic Index for Australia combines user-contributed data on commute times, traffic dissatisfaction, CO2 emissions, and traffic system inefficiencies in Australia, to provide insights into overall traffic conditions.
Traffic Data
Overall average travel
Average when primarily using Bus
Average when primarily using Car
Average when primarily using Walking
"Key Takeaways"
Encouraging the use of bicycles and public transport can significantly reduce CO2 emissions and improve traffic flow.
Investments in public transport infrastructure and services are crucial for reducing commute times and enhancing efficiency.
Key Indexes
EmissionsCanberra's CO2 emissions index is relatively high at 5502.53, indicating significant room for improvement in reducing emissions.
Efforts to increase the use of bicycles and public transport could help lower the city's carbon footprint.
TimeThe average time index of 34.94 minutes suggests moderate commute times, with potential delays during peak hours.
Improving public transport efficiency could help reduce overall commute times.
InefficiencyThe inefficiency index of 215.27 highlights challenges in traffic flow and public transport coordination.
Optimizing traffic signals and expanding bike lanes could alleviate some inefficiencies.