Increased traffic delays recorded, with a 8% surge in gridlocks occurring beyond peak hours

In 2021, traffic congestion in the Netherlands saw an 8% increase, according to data provided by the motoring organisation ANWB. The data was based on information from TomTom satnav systems.

The busiest traffic congestion hotspots were primarily located on the Dutch highways near major urban areas, with frequent traffic jams reported especially during peak times on routes connecting the Randstad region, including sections of the A1, A2, A4, and A10 motorways around Amsterdam and Rotterdam. Specific data for 2021 highlight heavy congestion on the A10 ring road around Amsterdam and sections of the A1 near Amsterdam and the A4 corridor towards The Hague.

One of the worst traffic jam black spots was the A4 between The Hague Zuid and the Kethel tunnel. The A2 heading to Kerkdriel from Den Bosch also experienced significant congestion. Interestingly, the A27 between Utrecht and Breda, which was among the worst in previous years, did not feature prominently in this year's data, as the ANWB did not mention it in this paragraph.

The increase in regional traffic was mainly due to diversions, according to ANWB. This was particularly evident on the A4 between The Hague Zuid and the Kethel tunnel, which was among the worst traffic jam black spots.

However, there were some areas where congestion was reduced. The N206 near Leiden and A44 by Wassenaar were among these, thanks to improvement work carried out in these areas. This work significantly reduced congestion in these locations.

The opening of the southern stretch of the Groningen ring road in September also contributed to a reduction in congestion. The Groningen ring road was one of the areas where congestion was reduced following its opening.

Interestingly, the first six months of the year saw less congestion compared to the second half. This increase in traffic congestion was mainly observed in the second half of the year.

Congestion was noticeably worse outside of rush hours, suggesting that the increase in traffic congestion was not solely due to the traditional morning and evening rush hours.

In conclusion, while traffic congestion increased in the Netherlands last year, particularly in Zuid-Holland and the Randstad region, there were some areas where improvements were made to reduce congestion. The data provided by the ANWB provides valuable insights into the areas that need further attention to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion in the future.

Increased traffic delays recorded, with a 8% surge in gridlocks occurring beyond peak hours