Traffic Summary for Harrisburg
In 2024, Harrisburg, PA, sees a predominant reliance on cars for commuting, with a significant 81.82% of the population using this mode of transport. Walking is the second most common mode at 9.09%, reflecting a compact city layout that supports pedestrian movement.
Average Commute Times
- Car - Car commuters spend about 22.78 minutes on the road, covering an average distance of 16.84 km.
- Walking - Those who walk to their destinations take about 15 minutes to cover a distance of 0.80 km.
Traffic Breakdown
Seasonal Trends
Traffic tends to increase during the winter months due to adverse weather conditions, affecting commute times. Summer sees a slight decrease in traffic as residents take vacations, reducing the number of commuters.
Commuter Pain Points
Limited public transportation options lead to a heavy reliance on cars, causing congestion. Parking availability in downtown areas is a common issue for car commuters.
Best Travel Times
Early mornings before 7 AM and late evenings after 7 PM are the best times to avoid traffic congestion. Midday travel between 11 AM and 1 PM also offers smoother commutes.
Event Impacts
Public events at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex can cause significant traffic disruptions. Concerts and sports events at local venues also contribute to temporary traffic spikes.
Sustainability Efforts
Harrisburg is exploring initiatives to expand bike lanes and pedestrian pathways to promote eco-friendly commuting. The city is also considering investments in electric vehicle infrastructure to reduce emissions.
Ride-Sharing Impact
Ride-sharing services have helped reduce the number of personal vehicles on the road, slightly easing congestion. However, increased ride-sharing can lead to more frequent stops and pickups, impacting traffic flow.
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"
With cars being the dominant mode of transport, there's a high level of CO2 emissions, necessitating sustainable practices.
Encouraging the use of public transport and non-motorized travel could significantly improve traffic conditions.
Key Indexes
EmissionsHarrisburg's CO2 emissions index is notably high at 5453, indicating significant environmental impact from transportation.
Efforts to reduce emissions could focus on promoting alternative transportation methods.
TimeThe time index of 22 suggests moderate traffic delays, primarily affecting car commuters.
Improving public transport options could alleviate some of these delays.
InefficiencyThe inefficiency index stands at 78.01, highlighting room for improvement in traffic management.
Implementing smart traffic systems could enhance flow and reduce inefficiencies.