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TRANSPORT TECHNOLOGY FORUM – MEDIA RELEASE

Traffic on the local authority road network back at pre-pandemic levels

This week’s Transport Technology Forum Covid-19 Weekly Digest suggests traffic levels have returned to pre-pandemic baseline levels for the first time since the crisis started.

The TTF has compared Department for Transport national data with figures collated from more than 100 local authority areas across England, and analysis from the last two weeks has found traffic count levels have reached baseline levels measured in February 2019.

However, the figures suggest the shape of daily traffic has changed since the pandemic , even though volumes have returned. The local road network is seeing less pronounced morning peaks, with increased traffic levels during the interpeak and the PM peak ending earlier than previously. Analysts believe this may be driven by changing commuter patterns and increased working from home among those who are able to.

Goods vehicle levels on both the local road network and strategic road network are 10% above baseline figures, while cycling levels are also higher than the calculated baseline, but not to the same levels captured during the first lockdown in Spring last year.

Darren Capes, DfT TTF lead, has commented on the latest Digest saying “When we started this analysis, we were helping government understand the adherence to lockdown rules. This has morphed into an extremely valuable aid for local authorities to understand the new shape of traffic and compare their experiences with other authorities across the country. Our data helps, and will continue to help, transport planners understand network demand and react accordingly. As lockdown rules continue to be relaxed, and our data shows traffic levels returning to a new type of normal, we will continue to provide this vital work.”

You can read the report here: https://www.ttf.uk.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/45-LA-travel-and-transport-data-weekly-digest-26-April-2-May.pdf

Ends

Notes to editors:

Transport Technology Forum exists to give leadership, direction and support and to stimulate investment in innovation and technology solutions.
The Forum provides a dynamic space where road operators and their suppliers can exchange information and agree to work more collaboratively in order to achieve a more cohesive approach.
The Forum encourages the adoption of new ways of thinking and innovative technical solutions for the improvement of traffic flow through better network operation and management. This in turn will deliver significant economic, social and business benefit to the UK.
The Forum also aims to ensure that its stakeholders gain and maintain a fair share of voice with policy-makers.

More details available from:
Paul Hutton
PH Initiatives Ltd
paul@phinitiatives.com
07919 163525