ECLAC study: Traffic imposes heavy...

Grande in the North-East; and Penal; Siparia; Debe, and Princes Town in the South-Central regions of Trinidad,” the study further explained.

In the case of Tobago, the study noted that while traffic congestion is comparatively less compared to Trinidad, most traffic congestion is experienced in the South-West of the island along Milford Road, and the connecting Claude Noel Highway.

“These two roadways form the main arterial connection of the more densely populated southwest, with the island’s capital at Scarborough. Additional traffic congestion is also routinely observed on main suburb connecting routes such as Scarborough to Calder Hall, and Scarborough to Mount Marie,” the assessment stated.

The study detailed that several seasonal events impact on traffic congestion in T&T, citing that among them, the rainy season and Christmas holidays generate increases in annual per capita traffic delays of 9.3 and 8.9 hours* respectively, while the annual school closures reduce traffic delays by roughly 7.7 hours annually.

Also, it noted that the annual Carnival season (5.0 hours), as well as month ends (5.6 hours) also significantly increase traffic congestion during the year.

Averting behaviour and other costs

According to the survey, in the face of enduring traffic congestion, commuters typically adopt coping strategies to mitigate impacts.

Such averting behaviour, it said, may result in additional expenditure such as food, supervisory care for children, communications, or after-work activities.

In the case of T&T, survey respondents reported an average monthly additional costs of $558 to meet such expenses.

This amounts to an additional annual expense of $6,696 per capita and represents a further economic burden of traffic congestion in the country.