Boston Area Among World's Worst For Traffic: Report

BOSTON, CT — While Boston's traffic was down 10% in 2022 compared to pre-COVID levels, that's about the only good news in a new report from INRIX, a UK-based transportation analytics firm. The city ranks as the second most congested in the U.S. and the fourth most congested in the world.

The urban areas leading the world in this dubious statistic are London, Chicago, and Paris. Boston edged out New York City, which came in fifth place.

The average Boston driver lost 134 hours to traffic congestion, according to the report. Traffic spiked in the city in 2021, up 72%.

INRIX's 2022 Global Traffic Scorecard identified and ranked congestion and mobility trends in more than 1,000 cities across 50 countries. London led the way for a second straight year, with traffic that's increased 5% over pre-COVID levels.

Here are the metropolitan areas with the worst congestion in the world along with the hours lost for drivers in 2022:

1. London: 156 hours lost

2. Chicago: 155 hours lost

3. Paris: 138 hours lost

4. Boston: 134 hours lost

5. New York City: 117 hours lost

6. Bogota: 122 hours lost

7. Toronto: 118 hours lost

8. Miami: 105 hours lost

9. Palermo: 121 hours lost

10. Monterrey (Mexico): 116 hours lost

INRIX stated that it collects and provides this data as it is "key to solving urban mobility problems." Its data and analytics on mobility, traffic and traffic signals, parking, and population movement are intended to "help city planners and engineers make data-based decisions to prioritise spending to maximise benefits and reduce costs now and into the future."

Read the full report at INRIX.