What are the impacts of traffic congestion?

Traffic congestion results in various impacts, including wasted time and fuel, increased emissions, and economic losses. A study indicated that the economic value of time wasted due to congestion was approximately $60 billion, which is significant compared to the public health impacts attributed to pollution, estimated at $31 billion in 2000^[2].

Additionally, traffic congestion can affect public health by increasing ambient concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM), which has been linked to premature mortality, particularly from cardiovascular events^[2]. The interaction of traffic congestion with demographic factors and atmospheric conditions further influences these public health implications^[2][3].