Traffic Summary for Rochester
In 2024, Rochester, NY, sees a predominant reliance on cars for commuting, with a significant 85.71% of residents choosing this mode of transport. Walking is the second most popular mode at 10.71%, while public transportation options like buses account for a smaller share of daily commutes.
Average Commute Times
- Bus - Bus commuters spend about 10 minutes on the bus, with an additional 2 minutes walking.
- Car - Car users experience an average driving time of 21.21 minutes, covering a distance of 21.64 km.
- Walking - Those who walk to their destinations spend around 13.83 minutes on foot, covering a distance of 1.38 km.
Traffic Breakdown
Seasonal Trends
Winter months often see increased traffic delays due to snow and ice, impacting commute times. Summer festivals and events can lead to temporary spikes in traffic congestion, particularly in downtown areas.
Commuter Pain Points
Limited public transportation options make it challenging for non-drivers to commute efficiently. Traffic congestion during peak hours leads to longer travel times for car commuters.
Best Travel Times
Early mornings before 7 AM and late evenings after 7 PM are generally the best times to avoid traffic. Midday travel can also be less congested, especially for non-essential trips.
Event Impacts
Large public events, such as the Rochester International Jazz Festival, significantly increase traffic in the city center. Sporting events at local arenas can cause localized congestion, especially during evening hours.
Sustainability Efforts
Rochester is exploring the expansion of bike lanes and pedestrian-friendly zones to encourage sustainable commuting. The city is investing in electric bus fleets to reduce the carbon footprint of public transportation.
Ride-Sharing Impact
Ride-sharing services have helped reduce the number of personal vehicles on the road, easing some congestion. However, increased ride-sharing activity during peak hours can contribute to traffic in busy areas.
Traffic Rankings
Rochester ranks 66th 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"
Rochester's heavy reliance on cars contributes to high CO2 emissions and traffic inefficiencies.
Enhancing public transportation and encouraging walking or cycling could improve traffic conditions and reduce emissions.
Key Indexes
EmissionsRochester's CO2 emissions index is notably high at 4849.79, reflecting the heavy reliance on cars.
Efforts to reduce emissions could focus on promoting alternative transportation modes.
TimeThe time index of 20.13 indicates moderate traffic delays, primarily affecting car commuters.
Improving public transport efficiency could help reduce overall commute times.
InefficiencyWith an inefficiency index of 109.80, Rochester's traffic system faces challenges in optimizing flow.
Investments in infrastructure and smart traffic management could alleviate inefficiencies.