Traffic Summary for Somerville
In 2024, Somerville, MA, showcases a diverse range of transportation methods with a balanced distribution among walking, cycling, driving, and working from home. The city's traffic data highlights a focus on sustainable commuting options, with significant percentages of residents choosing to walk or bike.
Average Commute Times
- Car - Car commuters spend about 20 minutes driving and 4 minutes walking, with a total distance of 5.63 km.
- Walking - Walking commuters spend approximately 25 minutes on foot, covering a distance of 1.9 km.
Traffic Breakdown
Seasonal Trends
Traffic tends to increase during the fall as students return to school, impacting commute times. Winter months see a shift towards more car usage due to weather conditions, affecting traffic flow.
Commuter Pain Points
Limited public transport options can lead to increased reliance on cars, causing congestion. Cyclists face challenges with limited bike lanes and infrastructure.
Best Travel Times
Early mornings before 7 AM and late evenings after 7 PM are ideal for avoiding peak traffic. Midday travel between 11 AM and 1 PM is generally smooth with minimal delays.
Event Impacts
Public events such as festivals and parades can significantly disrupt traffic, requiring alternative routes. Sports events at local venues often lead to temporary road closures and increased congestion.
Sustainability Efforts
Somerville is investing in expanding bike lanes and pedestrian pathways to promote eco-friendly commuting. The city is exploring partnerships with local businesses to encourage remote work and reduce peak hour traffic.
Ride-Sharing Impact
Ride-sharing services have helped reduce the number of personal vehicles on the road, easing congestion. These services offer flexible commuting options, especially during off-peak hours.
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"
Somerville's balanced transportation methods indicate a strong potential for sustainable commuting.
Increasing the availability and convenience of public transport could further enhance commute efficiency.
Key Indexes
EmissionsThe CO2 emissions index is at 1773.33, indicating moderate levels of emissions.
Efforts to reduce emissions can focus on increasing public transport usage.
TimeThe time index is 20.67, reflecting relatively efficient commute times across different modes.
Improving public transport options could further reduce commute times.
InefficiencyThe inefficiency index stands at 29.33, suggesting room for improvement in traffic flow.
Enhancing cycling infrastructure could help alleviate inefficiencies.