The Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) has published a new report called ‘Congestion Solutions’ recommending various ways to tackle growing traffic jams and gridlocks on the country’s roads and highways.

CAA commissioned Canada-based transportation consulting firm CPCS to evaluate various avenues to reduce congestion.

The new report stated that Canada’s performance in addressing traffic congestion lies around the middle on a global scale. It is a follow-up to the ‘Grinding to a Halt, Evaluating Canada’s Worst Bottlenecks’ report released last year.

“Motorists use an additional 287 million litres of fuel annually while stuck in traffic jams, generating an extra 58 million kilograms of carbon dioxide emissions.”

CAA National chief strategy officer Jeff Walker said: “This report shows there are many ways we can act to relieve traffic congestion.

“Canada’s worst bottlenecks increase commute times by as much as 50% and costs us hundreds of millions of dollars in wasted time and fuel every year, not to mention the environmental effects.”

Last year’s report found that motorists use an additional 287 million litres of fuel annually while stuck in traffic jams, generating an extra 58 million kilograms of carbon dioxide emissions.

The new report suggests that re-timing traffic lights, enhancing response time to breakdowns and collisions, implementing speed limits, and regulating traffic volumes can deliver the biggest impact at minimal costs.

Furthermore, the report advocated that the availability of necessary information on new solutions and rehabilitation of the country’s worst choke points will help to address urban congestion.

Additionally, encouraging relatively low-cost solutions such as ride-sharing services and developing bicycle infrastructure can ease traffic bottlenecks.