Estimation of Traffic Congestion Cost-A Case Study of a Major Arterial in Karachi

Abstract

This paper consists of a study conducted to quantify the traffic congestion problem. Additionally, it describes the complete methodological process from data collection to cost per minute delay. Traffic congestion issues are frequently observed in large cities of the world where the road facilitiesoperate at capacity limits. To estimate the congestion cost,an arterial route of Karachi (A metropolitan city of Pakistan) was selected that has significant importance due to the industrial and port associated activity. The obtained results indicate that Pak Rs. 1 million are lost daily due to traffic congestion, which is extrapolated for whole Karachi. The amount is a composition of opportunity and fuel consumption costs caused due to excessive delays in congestion.