The high cost of congestion in Canadian cities : Coût élevé de la congestion dans les villes canadiennes

Traffic congestion is a growing problem in Canada. It is becoming acute in our largest cities, which are seeing record commute times that compare poorly with equivalent-sized cities in other countries. It is a growing problem in medium-sized cities. Congestion is a problem that can be better addressed. There are many examples from Canada and around the world on how to try to mitigate it. It is important to better understand the causes of congestion, both on the supply side (the amount of transportation infrastructure available), and the demand side (what prompts travellers to use that infrastructure). This report will attempt to understand the extent of congestion in Canada today in terms of its economic, social, and environmental costs, and its key causes. The report will also examine policy tools and innovations that could be used to reduce the impact of congestion.