Tom Warne Report, 18 August 2013
A newly released study of traffic flow on Indiana interstates has added a new calculation of how much time is lost in traffic congestion. As explained by Joint Transportation Research Program director Darcy Bullock, the old measurement method only figures how much time is lost based on when traffic is traveling slower than 45 mph.
The new method used in Purdue’s second annual study of traffic flow makes a distinction between traffic moving at 44 mph and traffic that is completely stopped. Using the old calculation, the most congested section of interstate was I-74 on the southeast side of Indianapolis. A half-mile stretch just before the I-465 loop traveled far below the speed limit for nearly half of 2012.
On some of the highway sections ranked most congested, drivers only lost a few minutes of time. However, in the 14-mile construction zone on I-70 between Clay County and Putnamville, the time drivers were delayed was nine times higher.
Only two areas were close to the top of both measurements: the Kennedy Bridge over I-65 heading into Kentucky, and northbound I-69 between 96th and 116th Streets. The delays on the Kennedy Bridge became even more severe with the closure of the Sherman Minton Bridge, sending southbound traffic there as well.
Bullock said the study aids the Indiana Department of Transportation in planning ahead for upcoming delays from traffic congestion.