Traffic Summary for Ithaca
In 2024, Ithaca's transportation landscape is dominated by car usage, with half of the population relying on personal vehicles for their daily commutes. Public transportation and walking are also significant, each accounting for about 16.7% of the commuting methods, reflecting a balanced approach to urban mobility.
Average Commute Times
- Bus - Bus commuters spend about 10 minutes waiting and 30 minutes traveling, with an average distance of 7.24 km.
- Car - Car users experience a driving time of 9.67 minutes and a short walking time of 1.33 minutes, covering 7.78 km.
- Walking - Walking commutes take around 10 minutes, with a total distance of 3.22 km.
Traffic Breakdown
Seasonal Trends
Winter months often see increased car usage due to cold weather, impacting traffic flow and increasing commute times. Spring and fall are ideal for walking and cycling, with moderate temperatures encouraging non-motorized travel.
Commuter Pain Points
Limited public transport options during peak hours can lead to overcrowding and delays. Parking scarcity in downtown areas poses challenges for car commuters, especially during busy periods.
Best Travel Times
Early mornings before 8 AM and late evenings after 7 PM are optimal for avoiding traffic congestion. Midday travel between 11 AM and 2 PM offers smoother commutes with less crowding on public transport.
Event Impacts
Public events at Cornell University and downtown festivals can significantly increase traffic, necessitating road closures and detours. Advance planning and public transport promotions during events can help mitigate congestion.
Sustainability Efforts
Ithaca is investing in electric bus fleets and expanding bike lanes to promote eco-friendly commuting. Community initiatives encourage carpooling and the use of renewable energy sources for transportation.
Ride-Sharing Impact
Ride-sharing services have reduced the need for personal car ownership, contributing to decreased traffic congestion. These services offer flexible commuting options, especially for those without access to public transport.
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 Bus
Average when primarily using Car
Average when primarily using Walking
"Key Takeaways"
Increasing the share of public transport and walking could significantly reduce CO2 emissions and improve traffic flow.
Enhancing bus services and infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists may provide more sustainable commuting options.
Key Indexes
EmissionsIthaca's CO2 emissions index stands at 2261.6, indicating a moderate environmental impact from transportation.
Efforts to reduce emissions could focus on increasing public transport and non-motorized travel options.
TimeThe average commute time index is 18.4, suggesting relatively efficient travel times within the city.
Peak hours may see slight increases, but overall, the city maintains manageable commute durations.
InefficiencyThe traffic inefficiency index is 32.02, pointing to areas for improvement in traffic flow and congestion management.
Strategies to enhance traffic signal coordination and promote alternative routes could alleviate bottlenecks.