Experts say a mix of population growth, commuting patterns and transport infrastructure is driving the city\u2019s worsening congestion, but they have also weighed in on possible solutions.<\/p>\n
The Herald asked Auckland Transport (AT) to identify the most congested roads last year. The agency supplied data from February, as this was when congestion hit its 2025 peak. <\/p>\n
AT\u2019s customer and network performance team said a road was considered congested when average speeds were at or below 50% of the speed limit. <\/p>\n
The worst roads slowed to below 30% of the posted speed limit during peak travel times, which were 8am-9am and 5pm-6pm. <\/p>\n
At peak travel times, some Auckland commuters were travelling barely faster than a jogger.<\/p>\n
Morning peak speeds dropped as low as 8km\/h on Manukau Rd\/Broadway and Ponsonby Rd\/Newton Rd.<\/p>\n
Raleigh Rd\/Lake Rd averaged 9km\/h during the morning peak.<\/p>\n
Commuters on T\u012b R\u0101kau Drive faced the longest recorded morning travel time at 15.72 minutes for the measured section. <\/p>\n
Gillies Ave was next, with trips taking 13.41 minutes at the morning peak.<\/p>\n
AT said congestion was \u201cdynamic\u201d. Delays depended on factors such as peak hours, travel mode, school holidays, roadworks, location and crashes. <\/p>\n
The data was sourced from an external provider and from vehicles, smartphones and other mobile devices. <\/p>\n
What causes congestion and what\u2019s the solution?<\/p>\n
AA policy director Martin Glynn said congestion was a daily frustration for many Aucklanders, particularly those who had no choice but to drive to fixed commitments such as work or medical appointments. <\/p>\n
He said population growth was the biggest cause. <\/p>\n
\u201cMuch of Auckland\u2019s growth has tended to be in the outskirts of the city. <\/p>\n
\u201cGrowth in the outer parts of a city tends to make congestion worse because it often means longer commutes and trips to access services.\u201d<\/p>\n
Glynn said as cities became more dense, they tended to become more congested. <\/p>\n
The worst Auckland roads slowed to below 30% of the posted speed limit during peak travel times, which were 8am-9am and 5pm-6pm.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut greater density makes better public transport more viable, which can alleviate congestion in some parts of the city.\u201d<\/p>\n
He compared managing congestion to managing rust \u2013 in need of constant attention. <\/p>\n
\u201cThere needs to be a continual focus on how we use our road space, configure our intersections and phase our traffic lights.\u201d<\/p>\n
Glynn said potential solutions included new public transport infrastructure, investment in new roads and maintenance of existing roads. <\/p>\n
Congestion charging could have unintended consequences<\/p>\n
Quantitative geographer expert and University of Auckland lecturer Dr Hyesop Shin has been studying the city\u2019s congestion.<\/p>\n
His latest research project found traffic into the CBD increased by 50% on Tuesday and Thursday mornings and afternoons. It was slightly less on Mondays and Fridays. <\/p>\n
He said this reflected people\u2019s tendency to work from home on days either side of the weekend. <\/p>\n
Most morning traffic came from suburbs immediately surrounding the city centre, such as Grey Lynn, Mt Eden and Remuera. <\/p>\n
Although Shin was a supporter of congestion charging, he said it could result in more traffic in other areas. <\/p>\n
Computer modelling showed if a cordon was imposed around the CBD, some drivers would take longer routes to avoid paying the tolls. <\/p>\n
Traffic could be pushed into residential roads not designed for heavy congestion, creating more bottlenecks.<\/p>\n
He said congestion charging had many positives, such as reducing vehicle use, traffic jams and air pollution. <\/p>\n
But appropriate travel alternatives had to be in place, such as better public transport for those living further out of the city. <\/p>\n
Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown says tackling congestion is critical for the city’s productivity. Photo \/ Michael Craig<\/p>\n
Brown said practical solutions for congestion were critical for economic growth and productivity. <\/p>\n
\u201cCongestion is costing our economy billions of dollars every year, and we don\u2019t want it to get worse.\u201d<\/p>\n
In November last year, the Government unanimously passed the Land Transport Management (Time-of-Use Charging) Amendment Bill, which will allow motorists to be charged for travelling on the main routes into the city at peak times. <\/p>\n
It aims to encourage motorists to shift travel times or use alternative transport, reducing congestion and boosting productivity.<\/p>\n
Brown said the latest updates on time-of-use charging were that it would take at least two to three years to implement. <\/p>\n
This meant \u201cmotorways will still look like carparks at peak times for a while yet\u201d, Brown said. <\/p>\n
Although not a \u201csilver bullet\u201d, Brown said putting roading decisions back into the hands of elected members would make for smarter road building and better investment focus. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re already doing it with the Port of Auckland charging more to pick up containers during the day, rather than at night, and that\u2019s already having a significant impact.\u201d<\/p>\n