Asia is home to some countries and cities that are growing and changing the fastest in the world. The region’s growing economy is causing problems, like city traffic jams.
The Asian Development Bank recently found that Manila in the Philippines is the most crowded city in the region. Most of the towns on the list are in India. Bangalore, Delhi, Kolkata, and Pune are some of the worst places for traffic jams.
The study used satellite imagery to find the busiest roads in 278 cities in 28 countries. It then used Google maps data to compare the trip times during peak and off-peak hours.
The study found that the average congestion value in the area was 1.24, meaning it takes 24 percent longer to travel during peak hours than during non-peak hours.
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Manila
Manila is the most crowded city in Asia, according to a survey. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) says that the problem is mainly caused by the lack of good public transportation that is also affordable. The congestion value of the city is 1.5.
Kuala Lumpur
With a congestion value of 1.40, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, is Asia’s second-most crowded city. The score means that, on average, it takes 40 minutes longer to get somewhere during peak times than during off-peak times.
In the last 10 years, new highways have been built all over the city to help ease traffic. But the roads aren’t built well, which adds to the traffic problem.
Most of the highways that lead into the city, like Jalan Tun Razak, Sungai Besi, and Jalan Kuching, are in areas that are already busy. People have said that most private highways built in the last ten years have evil designs.
Yangon
Yangon in Myanmar has the most people and cars per square mile of anywhere in the country. The city has a congestion score of 1.38, meaning it takes 38 minutes longer to get around during rush hour than during non-rush hours.
The government plans to build overpasses at several busy intersections where roads meet. A lot of people in the city depend on buses to get around. The country also wants to improve the Yangon Region Transport Authority, which is in charge of the YBS bus system.
Dhaka
With a congestion score of 1.33, Dhaka, which is in Bangladesh, is the fourth most crowded city in Asia. According to a World Bank report, traffic jams cause the town to lose 3.2 million working hours, which means the city loses billions of dollars in revenue.
The average driving speed in the city is 4.35 miles per hour. If the way traffic is going now keeps up, the rate is expected to drop to 2.5 miles per hour. Ten years ago, the speed limit was 13 miles per hour, so the slow traffic speed significantly changed.
The city is crowded because people moved there without a plan and the traffic system isn’t well organized.
The country is trying to improve the town by building a wall along the Balu River to stop flooding, improving public transportation and transportation links, and making a business district that is on par with the best in the world.
Bangalore
Bangalore has more people than any other city in India and is the fifth most crowded city in Asia. The city has a congestion score of 1.30, meaning it takes 30 minutes longer to get around during rush hour than during non-rush hours.
In 2005, traffic in the city moved at 22 miles per hour, but by 2014, it was only moving at 5.7 miles per hour. During rush hours, the average speed is between 2.5 and 3 miles per hour.
Studies show that the average city resident wastes 240 hours every year stuck in traffic. It is also thought that the city loses about $950 million years because of traffic.
Hanoi
The congestion score for Hanoi, Vietnam, is 1.30. Traffic jams cost the city up to $1.2 billion each year. People also think the traffic jams are to blame for the city’s dirty air. People say that the traffic jams, especially at rush hour, are caused by new apartment buildings in the city center.
The government is working on improving infrastructure to make traffic easier in areas with a lot of people. The city’s traffic safety committee has also improved the situation by adjusting the traffic lights and putting up warning signs.
Kolkata
With a congestion score of 1.28, Kolkata is the second most crowded city in India and the seventh most crowded city in Asia. Rapid urbanization has made more people want to move around.
But public transportation hasn’t been able to meet the needs of the people, which has led to more people getting their cars. Kolkata’s traffic is made worse because only 6 percent of the city’s road space is relatively low compared to Mumbai.
Delhi
Delhi is Asia’s eighth most crowded city, with a congestion score of 1.27. Studies of the city have shown that traffic moves slowly, there is more traffic on the weekends, non-peak hours are almost nonexistent, and air pollution is higher, especially during peak hours.
Pollution from cars stuck in traffic makes it harder to control emissions in the city and improve life.
Experts think traffic in the town can be eased by taking the metro and buses more affordable, comfortable, and reliable, putting the proposed parking policy into place, and encouraging people to walk and ride bikes.
Pune
With a score of 1.26 for congestion, Pune is the fourth most crowded city in India. The city wants to become a safe, livable, and well-connected global urban center. On the other hand, studies of the city tell a different story.
The city’s annual Environmental Status Report shows that noise and air pollution are worsening. The city’s infrastructure and public transportation systems aren’t good enough to handle the traffic.
With the addition of 34 nearby villages, the city will soon be one of the biggest in India. The government is trying to fix the traffic situation by improving traffic police and infrastructure. Also, the city is excited to join the Metro City club.
Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh, in Vietnam, has a congestion score of 1.24. Because of traffic jams, the city loses about $6 billion every year. Over the past few years, tall buildings have sprung up all over the city, causing rapid urbanization.
Currently, the country is trying to improve traffic flow by building more roads and bridges. Land set aside for roads is likely to go up from 10.1% in 2019 to 12.2% in 2020. In the future, the public transportation system should also be able to handle more people.