September 2024 has marked a historic high for traffic congestion on Flemish roads, with average traffic jams hitting 988 kilometres per hour—the highest figure recorded since measurements began in 2011.
This alarming statistic signifies the sixth month in 2024 alone that traffic jams have reached record levels in the region, according to a report by VRT NWS.
The last few months have seen a concerning trend in traffic patterns on Flemish motorways. Beginning with a record-setting January, this year has been characterized by an upward trajectory in congestion, with May experiencing the heaviest traffic jams ever measured.
Further records were shattered in February, March, April, July, and August, culminating in September’s dismal milestone.
To contextualize the recent figures, the previous record for September was set in 2022 at 917 kilometres per hour. The latest average represents a staggering increase, more than double the 463 kilometres per hour recorded a decade ago in 2012.
The Flemish Traffic Centre (Vlaams Verkeerscentrum) employs the measurement of kilometres per hour to quantify congestion, which reflects both the length and duration of traffic jams.
For instance, if 100 kilometres of traffic jams persist for two hours, the resulting congestion severity would total 200 kilometres per hour.
Despite a noticeable shift towards remote working arrangements following the COVID-19 pandemic, which initially eased the morning rush hour, the afternoon and evening traffic flow has not seen a similar decrease. Instead, the evening rush hour remains particularly intense, contributing significantly to the congestion woes.
The weekend also proved to be problematic, with traffic congestion averaging 286 kilometres per hour in September—up from 216 kilometres per hour in 2021. This indicates that weekend drivers are increasingly contributing to the overall traffic burden, exacerbating the situation.
The primary culprit behind the surge in traffic jams is ongoing roadwork. Major construction projects are underway in key areas, including the Leonard intersection just outside Brussels and the Oosterweel link near Antwerp.
Additionally, maintenance work on the Vilvoorde viaduct has emerged as another significant source of delay. These extensive roadworks have not only disrupted traffic patterns but have also created longer-than-usual bottlenecks.
The repercussions of this congestion are severe. In the first half of 2024, the average commuter in Belgium lost approximately six minutes and 32 seconds per day due to traffic jams, which translates to around 40 hours annually.
This not only disrupts daily life for countless drivers but also incurs significant economic costs. In 2023 alone, congestion was estimated to have cost the Belgian economy a staggering €5.1 billion, underscoring the broader implications of the ongoing traffic crisis.
As the year progresses, the pattern of increasing congestion raises concerns about the efficacy of transport planning and infrastructure management in the region.
With roadworks expected to continue and the volume of vehicles on the road showing no signs of decreasing, Flemish authorities will need to find effective solutions to mitigate traffic congestion and its detrimental effects on both commuters and the economy.
