How traffic flows have changed on the streets of the capital: The data shows the real impact of the restrictions

Miglė Bielinytė, head of communication for the Transport Service, says that from December 14 to 15, before the introduction of stricter quarantine conditions in the country, there was no congestion during the morning peak, but in the second half of the day and the peak of the afternoon appeared in his city.

“Before the stricter quarantine measures went into effect on Wednesday, people began to move more actively. During the day and at night, congestion was recorded more frequently in the northern city, Goštautas, Žygimantai, Vrublevskis, B. Radvilaitė, T. Kosciuška, Šeimyniškių and Olandų streets and other main streets of the city, as well as close to large shopping centers, ”he says.

December 16 and the following day, when stricter quarantine restrictions were introduced in Lithuania and population movement restricted, traffic flows in Vilnius were roughly 16 to 19 percent. less than a week ago. And compared to the same period last year, which is usually extremely heavy, the overall average traffic these days is 37 percent. lower.

According to M. Bielinytė, changes are also observed in public transport. December 16 the number of trips decreased by 30% compared to the beginning of last week.

“This number of trips is equivalent to the first week of the first quarantine. The current flow of passengers from public transport, compared to the pre-quarantine period, is about 67 percent smaller,” says the representative of “Communications Services”.

How traffic flows in Vilnius changed this year

Delphi analyzed how the total traffic flows in Vilnius changed this year compared to 2019. The total annual variation of the traffic flows in Vilnius is -11.3% compared to the previous year.

During the less intensive weeks of the spring quarantine, during the eastern and western peaks, total traffic in Vilnius decreased by about 50%. (from March 16 to April 12) and the flow of public transport passengers had dropped to 80%.

From April 12. Until the end of June, the traffic flow in Vilnius grew steadily to last year’s level. Throughout the summer, the traffic flow grew, decreased, but remained at a level similar to that of 2019. The flows peaked in mid-August, when 5 percent. exceeded last year’s level.

From mid-October, the traffic flow in Vilnius began to noticeably decrease again. In early December it rose slightly (4%) and fell again.

Vilnius drivers spent significantly less time in traffic this year than last year. Last year, the longest congestion (110-122 minutes on average) was recorded in early December. This year, at the time, they were 60 percent. more short.

There was no congestion in Vilnius for several weeks in the spring. At that time, during the summer, from late May to early July, congestion in Vilnius had increased and, on average, drivers were spending as much as 33 percent there. longer than last year.

In autumn, when there is usually the greatest congestion in the capital, since residents return after the holidays and the school year begins for schoolchildren and students, this year the situation was the opposite: flows since September. gradually decreased.

Analyzing the most congested intersections in Vilnius, it can be seen that this year traffic flows have decreased significantly in some places:

• Ozo g. towards Ozo – Kalvarijų – Kareivių st. intersections: -5.7 percent.
• A. Goštauto str. – JT Vaižganto Street: -7.4 percent.
• G. Vilko str. towards G. Vilko – Žalgirio st. intersections: -17.5 percent.
• J. Jasinskio st. towards J. Jasinskio – V. Kudirka – Pamėnkalnio str. intersections: -10.2 percent.

However, at some of the busiest intersections in the city, traffic has increased slightly compared to the same period last year:

• G. Vilko str. towards G. Vilko – Ukmergės st. intersections: 1.4 percent.
• Olandų st. towards the Dutch ring: 14 percent.

“The measures applied during this quarantine are different and vary, so the flows in the city also change. Naturally, since last week, tightening the conditions and restricting the movement will also change the movement in the city, but much also depends on the consciousness of the people. In these circumstances, we urge citizens to leave the house only when it is really necessary and cannot be postponed, ”says M. Bielinytė.