The majority of residents in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) agree that there is a traffic crisis in the region, according to a new poll conducted by Ipsos for the Toronto Region Board of Trade. The poll was conducted to see what GTHA residents think about congestion and if they’re altering their behaviours as a result of it.
A total of 1,000 residents were surveyed, and the results were interesting
About 86% of residents agree that there is a traffic and congestion crisis in the area (45% strongly agree and 41% somewhat agree), with a similar majority (85%) agreeing that traffic and congestion negatively impact the GTA economy (42% strongly agree and 43% somewhat agree). About 63% believe it poses serious problems for their households (including 24% who strongly agree and 38% who somewhat agree), and 58% often believe it causes them to be late (including 21% who strongly agree and 37% who somewhat agree).
As for the causes of traffic and congestion—68% of people blame excessive construction or mismanagement, while 57% blame an overabundance of cars and trucks on the road.
Compared to a year ago, 42% of respondents said it takes them longer to get to work or school; 46% said their commute times are the same, and only 12% said they have shorter commute times.
The biggest concerns about the impact of road and traffic congestion are extended and unpredictable journey times (61%), increased costs (45%), stress (40%), pollution (37%), and safety concerns (e.g., causes accidents) (36%).
The polling also shows that this crisis has the potential to drive people out of the GTHA, as they feel it’s harming their productivity. More than half (53%) of residents have considered moving out of the area due to traffic and congestion issues, while 62% are reluctant to commute to work, and just under half (49%) accept traffic and congestion as a part of living in a large city.
Younger residents and females are most impacted by traffic and congestion in the GTHA. For example, 55% of female respondents have considered moving outside the GTA due to traffic/congestion compared to 52% of males, while 64% of those between 18 and 34 have considered moving due to traffic issues compared to 42% of those between the ages of 55 and 99.
Congestion is also hurting businesses, as residents are altering their behaviors due to traffic and congestion: 42% often reconsider trips for shopping, entertainment (42%), dining out (38%), or visiting family and friends (31%).
To help alleviate traffic and congestion—76% of respondents support 24-hour road and public transit construction. A similar percentage (76%) supports 24-hour public transit construction to be conducted so that construction time can be reduced by up to 50%. Other strategies garnering support include reducing on-street parking and opening additional lanes for traffic or public transit (62%), as well as restricting retail and restaurant deliveries outside of normal business hours, e.g., evenings and nighttime (49%).
The poll correlates with other recent studies on traffic in the GTA. For example, travel times on Toronto’s Gardiner Expressway — a major transportation route that is traveled by approximately 140,000 vehicles each day — have increased up to 250% on the westbound lanes during morning rush hour and 230% on eastbound lanes in the afternoon rush hour as a result of the latest construction project on this route. And if that’s not enough proof, perhaps the fact that this former One Direction star had to walk to his own show will convince you how bad congestion has become in Toronto.
