Traffic Summary for Birmingham
In 2024, Birmingham, AL, sees a dominant reliance on cars for commuting, with 84.62% of residents choosing this mode of transport. Walking is the second most popular mode, accounting for 15.38% of commutes, highlighting a potential for more pedestrian-friendly infrastructure.
Average Commute Times
- Car - Car commuters spend about 22.91 minutes driving, covering an average distance of 19.83 km.
- Walking - Walking commuters spend about 35 minutes on foot, covering a distance of 4.43 km.
Traffic Breakdown
Seasonal Trends
Traffic tends to increase during the summer months as tourism peaks. Winter months see a slight decrease in traffic, possibly due to adverse weather conditions.
Commuter Pain Points
Heavy reliance on cars leads to congestion during peak hours. Limited public transportation options restrict commuting flexibility.
Best Travel Times
Traveling before 7 AM or after 7 PM can help avoid peak traffic congestion. Midday travel is generally smoother with less traffic.
Event Impacts
Public events at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex can cause significant traffic delays. Sporting events at Protective Stadium also contribute to increased traffic congestion.
Sustainability Efforts
Birmingham is exploring the expansion of bike lanes to promote cycling. The city is investing in electric vehicle charging stations to support sustainable transport.
Ride-Sharing Impact
Ride-sharing services have reduced the need for personal car ownership among younger residents. These services help alleviate parking congestion in downtown areas.
Traffic Rankings
The Traffic Index for the United States combines user-contributed data on commute times, traffic dissatisfaction, CO2 emissions, and traffic system inefficiencies in United States, to provide insights into overall traffic conditions.
Traffic Data
Overall average travel
Average when primarily using Car
Average when primarily using Walking
"Key Takeaways"
Encouraging the use of public transportation and cycling could significantly reduce CO2 emissions.
Investing in pedestrian infrastructure could support the 15.38% of commuters who walk.
Key Indexes
EmissionsBirmingham's CO2 emissions index is at 5258.62, indicating a high level of emissions primarily due to car usage.
Efforts to reduce emissions could focus on promoting alternative transportation modes.
TimeThe time index is 25.15, reflecting moderate traffic delays.
Improving traffic flow could reduce commute times further.
InefficiencyThe inefficiency index stands at 162.20, suggesting room for improvement in traffic management.
Strategies to enhance public transport could alleviate inefficiencies.