In greater Berlin, traffic flowed on average 40 percent slower than free flow last year, according to TomTom's annual traffic index. Essen and Hamburg follow with 39 percent each. Berlin's congestion level rose by seven percentage points compared to the previous year.
TomTom's annual traffic index assesses traffic in 29 major cities. Greater Berlin reached a 40 percent delay level, the highest among all examined metropolises. Essen and Hamburg trail closely with 39 percent each. Compared to the previous year, the value in Berlin increased by seven percentage points, with the strain particularly noticeable during peak hours.
"The figures illustrate that congestion in Berlin is less a temporary phenomenon but rather an expression of structural burdens from high demand, intense commuter traffic, and limited road capacities," states the TomTom study.
When considering the narrower inner city area, a different picture emerges: Nuremberg leads with 50 percent delay, followed by Hamburg (49 percent) and Leipzig (48 percent). Berlin ranks seventh here with 45 percent.
The analysis is based on examining movements between various start and destination points. The greater area encompasses the extended traffic and economic region including commuter areas, while the inner city area depicts the urban core with low speeds. For comparison: In Munich, the delay was 33 percent, in Nuremberg 27 percent—both showing increases from the previous year. These figures highlight ongoing pressure from commuter traffic and limited infrastructure in German metropolises.
