When roads choke growth

Traffic congestion has become a significant development hurdle across the Caribbean, prompting the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) to seek solutions that enhance mobility, productivity, and economic competitiveness in small island nations. CDB President Daniel Best stated at the bank's 56th annual meeting that the region must view traffic congestion not merely as a transportation problem, but as a fundamental development issue.

"Congestion is a productivity issue, a public health issue, a climate issue, a competitiveness issue. At its core, it is a development issue because when people cannot move efficiently, economies cannot grow equitably," Best explained. Research presented at the meeting highlighted the severe economic consequences, with commuters in Trinidad and Tobago losing an average of 793 hours annually – equivalent to 33 days – due to traffic jams. This productivity loss is estimated at 1.37 percent of the country's gross domestic product each year.

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Congestion is a productivity issue, a public health issue, a climate issue, a competitiveness issue. At its core, it is a development issue because when people cannot move efficiently, economies cannot grow equitably.

Across the region, motorists spend an average of 90 minutes in traffic daily. This translates into substantial costs from lost productivity, fuel wastage, and higher transportation expenses. Globally, traffic congestion drains economies of hundreds of billions of dollars annually. Best stressed the need for greater collaboration among Caribbean countries to design urban systems and economies that can meet future demands amidst ongoing global complexities.

William Ashby, Acting Chief of the CDB's Economic Infrastructure Division, noted that while road expansion might be part of the answer, it cannot solve congestion alone. He advocated for a shift toward integrated urban mobility systems, combining public transportation, land-use planning, demand management, and technology. The CDB offers technical assistance, including mobility plan development and congestion studies, to help governments make evidence-based decisions rather than addressing transportation challenges piecemeal.

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This is a regional problem, and therefore there is real benefit in bringing together practitioners and policymakers to share lessons and reproduce approaches that work.