Traffic Summary for Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor's transportation landscape in 2024 is dominated by car usage, with a significant portion of the population relying on buses as well. Despite the heavy reliance on cars, the city is making strides in promoting alternative modes of transport such as walking and cycling.
Average Commute Times
- Bus - Bus commuters spend about 7 minutes waiting and 17 minutes on the bus, with a total walking time of 7.2 minutes.
- Car - Car users experience a driving time of 29.41 minutes with minimal walking, covering nearly 28.78 km.
- Walking - Walking commutes average 7 minutes, covering a distance of 0.80 km.
Traffic Breakdown
Seasonal Trends
Traffic tends to increase during the fall as students return to the University of Michigan. Winter months see a shift towards more car usage due to cold weather conditions.
Commuter Pain Points
Bus commuters face long waiting times, impacting overall travel efficiency. Car traffic congestion is a common issue during peak hours, leading to delays.
Best Travel Times
Early mornings before 7 AM and late evenings after 7 PM are ideal for avoiding peak traffic. Midday travel between 10 AM and 3 PM is generally smoother for both car and bus commuters.
Event Impacts
Football games at the University of Michigan significantly increase traffic congestion on game days. Local festivals and events in downtown Ann Arbor can lead to temporary road closures and detours.
Sustainability Efforts
Ann Arbor is expanding its network of bike lanes to encourage cycling as a primary mode of transport. The city is investing in electric buses to reduce emissions from public transport.
Ride-Sharing Impact
Ride-sharing services have reduced the need for personal car ownership among younger residents. These services help alleviate parking demand in downtown areas, though they can contribute to traffic during peak times.
Traffic Rankings
Ann Arbor ranks 55th on the Traffic rankings in United States. 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 Bus
Average when primarily using Car
Average when primarily using Walking
"Key Takeaways"
Encouraging the use of bicycles and walking could help reduce CO2 emissions and improve public health.
Investments in public transport infrastructure could alleviate inefficiencies and reduce reliance on cars.
Key Indexes
EmissionsAnn Arbor's CO2 emissions index is at 5683.33, indicating a need for more sustainable transport solutions.
The high car usage contributes significantly to the city's carbon footprint.
TimeThe average time index is 28.79, reflecting moderate commute durations across different modes.
Time inefficiencies are most notable in bus commutes due to waiting times.
InefficiencyThe inefficiency index stands at 153.89, highlighting areas for improvement in public transport efficiency.
Reducing waiting times for buses could significantly enhance overall commute efficiency.