Motorists in Qatar spent an average of 4.5 days in traffic jams last year

The Qatar Mobility Innovations Center (QMIC) released its findings from the second annual Qatar Traffic Report and it is mindboggling.

The report, which was formulated using QMIC’s network of traffic sensors, GPS-fitted cars and user information from its iTraffic (Masarak) mobile app, said that a commuter wasted around 109 hours (4.5 days) on the road due to traffic congestion. This was seven hours more than in 2015, reported The Peninsula.

QMIC, in a series of tweets on its social media platform, laid out the most important findings of the second annual report.

1. Road projects completed by #Ashghal in Mid 2016 started making a positive impact on #congestion behavior in #Qatar, #doha #RoadSafety

— QMIC (@QmicQatar) February 22, 2017

2. Overall #congestion level in all 2016 is slightly worse than 2015 due to active road projects (especially in 1H) & increase in # of cars

— QMIC (@QmicQatar) February 22, 2017

3. Traffic Congestion level in 2nd half of 2016 is better than 2nd half of 2015, a positive trend that may continue #qatar #doha #ashghal

— QMIC (@QmicQatar) February 22, 2017

4. Commuters, on average, spent 109 extra hours on roads in 2016 due to traffic (102 hours in 2015), 2nd half of 2016 better than 1st half

— QMIC (@QmicQatar) February 22, 2017

5. #Economic cost of congestion in 2016 estimated at QR 6 billions (lost productivity), about 1% of GDP which is in line with global trends

— QMIC (@QmicQatar) February 22, 2017

With increased wastage of time comes increased economic cost. The report estimated that the country lost around QR6.6bn last year from lost productivity and fuel costs. Just a year earlier, this number had been QR6bn. This translates to a loss of about 1% of Qatar’s GDP in 2016.

Gulf Times reported that there were five main spots in the country with the highest rate of congestion during mornings and evenings.

During the mornings, peak rush hour traffic was at the Al Sadd Intersection-Olympic Roundabout, Jawaan Street; Mushaireb Interchange, B Ring Road; Onaiza Intersection-Lekhwiya Intersection, Al Markhiya Street; Umm Ghuwalina Intersection-Sharq Intersection, C-Ring Road and to Al Waab Intersection, Al Bustan Street during the morning peak hours.

In the evenings, the most congested areas were Environment Roundabout Duhail Intersection, Al Khafji Street; to Television Roundabout, Ahmed Bin Ali Street; Al Sadd Intersection-Olympic Roundabout, Jawaan Street; to Al Waab Intersection, Al Bustan Street and Lejbailat Intersection-Television Roundabout, Al Jamiaa Street.

The study, however, tried to paint a positive picture for the future. It said that there had been an improvement in the situation towards the second half of 2016, thanks to completion of major roads, and would significantly improve once all roads, currently under construction, gets completed in three years time.

Traffic Department Director Brigadier Mohammed Saad Al Kharji said the traffic scenario depicted in the report was ‘temporary’ and that a clear picture would emerge only in three years.

“The study is shocking for sure, but I believe the real figures will come when all roads are opened, railway projects commenced and public transport expanded. Many roads will be opened starting from this year," Brig Al Kharji said.

Other key findings

* Although overall congestion for 2016 is slightly worse than 2015, congestion levels in the 2nd half of 2016 are better than those of 2015.

* The road projects completed by Ashghal in the middle of 2016 has started to have a positive impact on traffic flow.

* Traffic behavior is expected to keep improving or stay flat on a year-year basis as more road projects are completed.

* October 2016 was the most congested month in the year with a travel time index of 1.75 throughout the day.

* The highest congestion period is the morning peak (around 7 am) where the average congestion index is 36%.

* In the morning peak hours of workdays, Sundays had the highest travel time index of 2.14 and Thursdays had the lowest travel time index of 1.97.