Traffic Summary for Evanston
In 2024, Evanston, IL, sees a predominant reliance on cars for commuting, with 100% of the population using this mode of transport. The city's traffic data reveals significant CO2 emissions and inefficiencies, highlighting areas for potential improvement.
Average Commute Times
- Car - Car commuters spend approximately 25 minutes driving over an average distance of 20.92 miles.
Traffic Breakdown
Seasonal Trends
Traffic tends to increase during the fall as students return to Northwestern University. Winter months can see slower traffic due to snow and ice, impacting commute times.
Commuter Pain Points
Limited public transportation options force reliance on cars, leading to congestion. Parking availability and costs are ongoing concerns for Evanston commuters.
Best Travel Times
Commuters are advised to travel before 7 AM or after 7 PM to avoid peak traffic. Midday travel between 10 AM and 2 PM typically experiences lighter traffic.
Event Impacts
Events at Northwestern University can significantly impact local traffic, especially during home games and graduation ceremonies. The Evanston Arts Festival also draws large crowds, affecting downtown traffic flow.
Sustainability Efforts
Evanston is exploring bike-sharing programs to reduce car dependency. The city is investing in electric vehicle charging stations to encourage eco-friendly transportation.
Ride-Sharing Impact
Ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft have increased in popularity, offering alternatives to car ownership. These services help reduce the number of vehicles on the road, potentially easing congestion.
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
"Key Takeaways"
Evanston's reliance on cars contributes to high CO2 emissions and traffic inefficiencies.
Introducing and promoting alternative transportation options could alleviate traffic congestion and reduce environmental impact.
Key Indexes
EmissionsEvanston's CO2 emission index is notably high at 6650, indicating a significant environmental impact.
Efforts to reduce emissions could focus on promoting alternative transportation methods.
TimeThe time index of 29 suggests moderate traffic delays during peak hours.
Improving traffic flow could help reduce commute times and enhance efficiency.
InefficiencyWith an inefficiency index of 83.51, Evanston's traffic system shows room for improvement.
Addressing traffic bottlenecks and optimizing traffic signals could reduce inefficiencies.