Traffic congestion occurs due to what main factor?

Traffic congestion primarily occurs due to an excessive volume of vehicles on the road. When the number of vehicles surpasses the capacity of the road network, it leads to slower speeds and increased delays. The road system is designed to handle a certain number of vehicles effectively; beyond that threshold, the efficiency decreases significantly, resulting in a backup and consequently, congestion.

While limited public transport options can exacerbate the situation by encouraging more people to rely on personal vehicles, the core issue remains the sheer number of vehicles in a limited space. Similarly, high-speed traffic flow does not contribute to congestion but rather indicates smooth traffic movement, and inadequate road infrastructure can create bottlenecks, yet the immediate cause of congestion is the volume of vehicles themselves.

Therefore, understanding that excessive vehicle volume is the predominant factor helps identify effective strategies to alleviate congestion, such as enhancing public transport, implementing traffic management systems, or promoting alternative travel methods.