Our latest research on ride-hail vehicles and congestion was published in this month’s issue of Science Advances. 

The research found that ride-hail vehicles like Uber and Lyft were responsible for over half of the increase in congestion in San Francisco between 2010 and 2016. Employment and population growth were mostly responsible for the remainder of the worsening congestion.

Ride-hailing cars "are primarily concentrated in the most congested parts of San Francisco. And those trips are primarily happening at the most congested times of day,” Transportation Authority Deputy Director for Technology, Data, and Analysis Joe Castiglione told NPR.

This data can help policymakers make informed decisions on how to address congestion. San Francisco is seeking to address congestion on multiple fronts—from constructing major projects like the Central Subway, to a study on downtown congestion pricing, to a future ballot measure to tax ride-hail trips—and more.

This research, conducted by the Transportation Authority’s Drew Cooper, Bhargava Sana, and Joe Castiglione in partnership with the University of Kentucky, was one of the foundations for our “TNCs and Congestion” report released in October 2018.

The Transportation Authority’s Technology, Data, and Analysis team, led by Castiglione, will release a study this year on the impact ride-hail vehicles have on transit ridership.

Resources

Science Advances: Do transportation network companies decrease or increase congestion?

NPR: Uber And Lyft Caused Major Traffic Uptick In San Francisco, Study Says

Fast Company: Yes, Uber and Lyft Make Traffic Worse

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