Traffic volumes recover to near pre-pandemic levels

August 17, 2020
Traffic volumes recover to near pre-pandemic levels
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The latest Transport Bulletin from the CSO shows that traffic counter data from selected sites shows that the volume of cars for the week commencing 02 August was just 12.6% lower in regional locations and 16.3% lower in Dublin than the same week in 2019. The figures seem to indicate that car usage is on the rise as corresponding public transport usage is well down.


The latest bulletin captures the impact of the COVID-19 restrictions on traffic volumes and the number of journeys taken on public transport. This bulletin is compiled using data collected by the Transport Infrastructure Ireland, the Road Safety Authority, the National Transport Authority and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport.

The data shows that since the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, the volume of cars is returning to pre-pandemic levels. The volume of HGVs is now greater than it was for the same period last year in both Dublin and in the regional locations measured, except for a slight decrease (-0.2%) in regional locations in the week beginning 02 August.

Commenting on this latest bulletin, Olive Loughnane, Statistician, said, “The COVID-19 restrictions had a significant influence on traffic volumes, the number of journeys on public transport and travel through Irish airports.

As restrictions ease, car traffic volumes for the week ending 08 August were just 12.6% lower than 2019 levels at regional locations and 16.3% lower in Dublin. HGV traffic volumes are exceeding 2019 levels for the seventh consecutive week in selected regional locations. The volume of HGVs measured at selected sites in Dublin from 21 June 2020 to 8 August 2020 exceeds that measured for the same period in 2019 by 3.9%.'

Further commenting on the Transport Bulletin, Olive Loughnane said: ‘The number of passenger journeys on public transport has dropped dramatically since the start of the COVID-19 crisis with journeys by rail most severely hit. Public transport volumes are recovering at a much slower rate than road traffic. Data from Irish airports shows that air transport continues to be heavily impacted by restrictions.”

The CSO has estimates that car traffic in Dublin is now down by 16.3% compared to the same time last year, while other regional sites are just 12.6% down. This compares with a year on year reduction of some 78% in April.

 
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