Managing Traffic Congestion

The challenge

Traffic congestion is one of the most persistent and costly problems facing cities and interurban areas today. Drivers experience stop-and-go traffic, lost time, delays to work, stressful and sometimes dangerous situations, increased pollution, and excessive noise. Every hour lost in traffic represents necessary social costs, adding up to millions each year. 

Congestion is caused by accidents, vehicle breakdowns, road works, and constantly changing traffic conditions throughout the day and night, making road authority policies increasingly complex. At the same time, traffic volumes continue to grow. Each year, more than 3 million cars are added to Europe’s existing fleet, and over 50% of freight transport takes place on roads. The average annual distance traveled by car is around 11,300 km. Simply building more roads is not a sustainable solution, as additional capacity quickly attracts more traffic. 

Beyond congestion, there are serious consequences for safety, health, and quality of life. Globally, around 1.3 million people die each year in road traffic accidents, and 20–50 million are injured. Road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death among children and young adults aged 5–29. Traffic also significantly contributes to air pollution, which causes an estimated 7 million deaths annually worldwide. In Europe, healthcare costs related to congestion-induced air pollution are estimated at 79 billion dollars. Congestion, road safety, and air quality directly influence how attractive and livable a city is perceived to be. 

The solution

SWARCO addresses traffic congestion and its consequences through an advanced mobility ecosystem that integrates and combines all relevant traffic data. The first step is comprehensive data collection. Infrastructure systems and mobility management platforms are connected with high-resolution, real-time traffic data, floating car data, apps, third-party sources, parking data, and more. This cross-domain integration provides a complete and accurate overview of traffic conditions. 

All collected data is stored, processed, analyzed, and visualized in real time within SWARCO’s mobility management system. Traffic managers gain a holistic overview of highways, tunnels, and urban networks, supported by reports, real-time alerts for equipment failures, and incident management tools. This enables both immediate responses and long-term planning to reduce congestion and optimize infrastructure investments. 

Once real-time visibility is established, automated, scheduled, or manual measures can be implemented to improve traffic flow. Speed limits can be dynamically adjusted along critical corridors to smooth traffic, vehicles can be rerouted away from congested areas, traffic signal timings can be optimized to maximize throughput, and warnings can be issued about upcoming road works. In the case of accidents, immediate interventions can be carried out. 

Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) further enhance efficiency and safety. Smart traffic signals calculate optimal timing between intersections to streamline movement and reduce delays. Priority can be given to public transport, cyclists, or emergency vehicles, making public transport more attractive and enabling faster emergency response. “Green waves” allow consecutive traffic lights to turn green in sequence, minimizing stop-and-go driving and supporting smoother traffic streams. 

Parking guidance solutions reduce the time drivers spend searching for parking — a factor that accounts for up to 30% of urban traffic. By guiding drivers directly to available spaces, traffic capacity improves and unnecessary emissions are reduced. Smoother traffic flow decreases fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions, as vehicles stuck in congestion consume more fuel and emit significantly more CO₂. Efficient signal control alone can reduce fuel consumption and emissions by 10–20%. 

By utilizing existing infrastructure more intelligently rather than building new roads, SWARCO’s ITS solutions help cities reduce congestion, improve road safety, lower emissions, and enhance overall quality of life. Authorities gain the tools to prioritize sustainable modes of transport, make public transport more attractive, and create safer, cleaner, and more efficient urban environments.