Traffic jams on Flemish highways were somewhat longer in 2017 than in preceding years, according to figures from the Vlaams Verkeerscentrum (Flemish Traffic Centre). The average length of traffic jams on working days, which were also school days, was 169 kilometres in 2017, up from 158 km. in the preceding year and the highest since 2011, when such data started being systematically collected.
The Centre also calculated the density of the traffic jams, i.e. the combination of the length and duration of the queues, according to the definition of the Vlaams Verkeerscentrum. The density was 888 kilometres per hour in 2017 as against 809 km./h in 2016. The lines were therefore not only longer but also lasted longer.
Further figures and more in-depth analysis will be given by the centre in its annual report, due in the Spring. However, it can already be stated that it was the last quarter of the year that contributed to the increase in traffic jams on Flemish highways.
The longest average traffic jams were observed in November, followed by October and December. The worst day was the 11th of December, which registered a peak of 603 km. of queues due to snowfall.
The Brussels Times
