As more commuters settle into flexible working arrangements, the traditional American 9-to-5 has shifted to 10-to-4, according to the 2023 Global Traffic Scorecard released in June by INRIX Inc., a traffic-data analysis firm.
Its analysis shows fewer early morning trips and a higher volume of midday trips compared to pre-pandemic traffic patterns.
Ridership sank during the pandemic, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis data shows, and never fully recovered.
The result is a surge in traffic congestion throughout the peak midday and evening hours, according to Pishue.
"Pre-Covid, the morning rush hour would be a peak and then the evening peak would be much larger," he said, describing two apexes with a valley in between.
Persons:
Kevin Carter, Bob Pishue, Louis, Gallup
Organizations:
Getty Images, INRIX Inc, Federal Reserve Bank of St
Locations:
San Diego, San Diego , California