The cost of traffic congestion is forecast to double to $20.4 billion by 2020, according to a new report to
The cost of traffic congestion is forecast to double to $20.4 billion by 2020, according to a new report to be released today by Transport Minister Anthony Albanese
Compiled by the Major Cities Unit of Infrastructure Australia, the report predicts the cost (measured by productivity lost when people are stuck in traffic) of Melbourne’s congestion cost will rise from $3 billion currently to $6.1 billion by 2020, a 103 percent increase.
Melbourne ranks behind Brisbane, Perth and Sydney in terms of traffic congestion costs, which, the report says, are being driven higher as car dependency in cities increases at a rate faster than population growth.
Albanese is expected to call for a ”collaborative” approach to deal with future transport policy challenges. Prime Minister Kevin Rudd recently signalled that Canberra is set to play a more active role in urban planning and public transport provision.