Istanbul residents spend 3.5 years of their lives in traffic

According to a report on Istanbul traffic monitored over 9 years by the "Dataritim Data Research Group," formed by academics from Middle East Technical University (METU), Bahçeşehir University (BAU), Dokuz Eylül University (DEU), and Yeditepe University, those living in the megacity spend approximately 3.5 years of their lives waiting in traffic.

In this part of the Anadolu Agency's dossier titled "Istanbul's Transportation Problem," which examines the traffic ordeal of Istanbul residents, the results of research regarding the traffic density that "steals from the lives" of those living in the megacity were presented.

While the report titled "Istanbul Traffic Rhythm" revealed striking results about city traffic, traffic flows on the city's 5,084-kilometer road network were tracked using GPS-based satellite data in the morning, at noon, and in the evening.

According to the report, the average driving speed on main arteries during the week was measured at 32.5 kilometers per hour, while during the evening peak hours, the driving speed was measured at an average of 21 kilometers per hour.

While Istanbul residents spend an average of 5.5 percent of their daily lives, or approximately 80 minutes, on transportation, this time spent for a 15-kilometer trip there and 15 kilometers back was recorded as 30 minutes for morning hours and 50 minutes for evening hours.

During hours with the least density, the same trip takes a total of 36 minutes, and the extra time spent due to congestion accounts for approximately 56 percent of the total travel time.

During peak traffic hours, this rate rises to 64 percent, meaning 64 minutes out of every 100 minutes spent in traffic are lost to congestion.

According to the "Istanbul Traffic Rhythm" report, when special days such as weekends, holidays, and restrictions are excluded, it was revealed that approximately 250 days of the year pass in almost the same way.

85 DAYS A YEAR REACHED A STANDSTILL

According to data from the last 5 years, evening traffic has reached a near standstill for approximately 85 days a year. The number of days when traffic was light, moderately dense, and flowing was 17.

It was determined that an Istanbul resident between the ages of 15-64 who participates in traffic at least twice a day, including going and returning, only on weekdays, spends 7 hours in traffic, which corresponds to almost one full workday per week, and approximately 4.5 hours of this is time wasted due to congestion.

Stating that there are many similarities between being stuck in traffic and being stuck in an elevator, the Group's Founder, BAU Big Data Analytics Program Faculty Member Dr. Serkan Gürsoy, made evaluations to the AA reporter regarding the losses caused by the traffic problem in the city in light of the analytical data obtained from the "Istanbul Traffic Rhythm" report.

Gürsoy said that both situations mean "being stranded," and that millions of people are stranded in traffic every day. Gürsoy stated that the resulting losses are not limited to just time, but that there are serious losses in terms of energy, health, economy, and quality of life, and that these losses negatively affect the development of the city.

Expressing that in addition to the opportunities they offer, cities also cause some difficulties and complexities, Gürsoy said: "Among these difficulties and complexities, which are directly related to the lives of Istanbul residents and visitors and spread over a wide spectrum, the traffic problem is the 3rd biggest city problem after earthquake-related concerns and economic problems.

Due to the density in traffic, there are decreases in mobility capability. This density creates difficulties and cost increases in accessing city facilities such as work, school, hospitals, and green spaces, and creates inequalities."

"IT HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO HANDLE IT FOR THE LAST 6 YEARS"

AA teams asked Istanbul residents about the time they spend in traffic and their solutions. Stating that it takes at least 2.5-3 hours to get to where he is going by bus, Rahmi Ertekin said, "However, if I use the metro, I can go from home to work and from work to home in 40-45 minutes. I usually use the metro." Ertekin also expressed that he sometimes has difficulty getting on the metro during the busiest evening and morning hours. Stating that he spends 2-3 hours a day in traffic on public transport, Mehmet Güldan said, "However, in terms of vehicle traffic, for the last 6 years, Istanbul traffic can no longer handle it. Places you would go in 20 minutes from one point to another have started to take 2 hours."

Güldan made suggestions for solving the traffic, such as introducing an odd-even license plate system and taking the Metrobus underground to include it in the metro system. Eren Tonbaş, who goes from Ümraniye to Beylikdüzü every other day, said, "I am a person who spends 1.5 hours on the road, and most of the Metrobuses break down. Sometimes it goes up to 2, sometimes 3 transfers. I don't have to spend this time every day."

Cumhur Kavdır stated that he spends approximately 3 hours in traffic and said, "My house is in Acıbadem, my son goes to school in Ümraniye. My round trip in morning traffic by car takes 2 hours. I use a scooter in good weather. Sometimes, out of desperation, we ride with my son. This way, I cut the time in half."