Austin, Texas: A State Known for Traffic
When thinking of Texas, images of barbeque, rodeos, and grand landscapes might come to mind. However, if you’re a driver in one of the state’s major cities, it’s more than likely that traffic is a primary concern. With the populous state expanding rapidly, the problem of traffic congestion has increased exponentially. Determining which city in Texas has the worst traffic, however, becomes a hot topic amongst Texan drivers.
Defining Worst Traffic: A Matter of Perspective
While it might be tempting to simply tally up the total amount of time spent in traffic, that might not provide a full picture of the worst traffic scenario. If you consider “worst” to be the most dangerous or lethal, or perhaps the most unpredictable and frustrating, then the results may vary.
Deadliest Traffic: Houston Tops the List
According to data from the Texas Department of Transportation, Houston is the clear front-runner in terms of fatal crashes. In one year, the city saw 274 fatal crashes and 290 fatalities on its roads. This is significantly higher than other populated cities in Texas such as Dallas and San Antonio.
If dangerous driving conditions are the main criteria, Houston stands out. However, the city of Dallas is not far behind, with a high number of fatal crashes and traffic-related fatalities despite having a slightly lower population than San Antonio.
The Longest Wait: Houston Again
Moving along to the criteria of traffic delays, Houston still manages to reign supreme. According to Inrix, a transportation analytics company, Houston held the highest delay times for drivers across Texas, with an average annual delay of 62 hours per driver. Dallas and Austin followed with 38 hours each, and San Antonio with 35 hours.
Busiest Highways: A Tight Competition
When looking at the busiest roadways, Houston maintains its title with its highways, Interstate 10 and I-69, ranking as the 11th and 15th busiest in the US respectively. However, several other Texan cities such as Conroe–The Woodlands and Dallas–Fort Worth also have highways appearing among the top ten busiest highways in the south, making this category a tight race.
And the Winner is…
After analyzing the data based on deadly crashes, wait times/delays, and busiest roadways, Houston appears to have the worst traffic in Texas. Nevertheless, cities like Austin and Dallas make for worthy competition, each with its own share of traffic woes.
As Texans continue to grapple with traffic issues, it’s clear that no single city is exempt. The verdict? Houston may top the charts for now, but all Texas drivers are encouraged to exercise caution, patience and understanding on the roadways. As the state continues to grow and develop, the hope remains for improved traffic conditions in the future.