Our Urban Mobility Trends reports track people’s transport habits and preferences, as well as related factors such as their concern about congestion and transport costs – allowing us to observe trends over time. We share our findings with government and industry to contribute to transport planning and policy development.
INDUSTRY REPORT
Urban Mobility Trends
August 2024 edition
Every year we survey thousands of people in cities across Australia and North America about a broad range of factors that influence their mobility choices.
53% + of respondents drive every day
Our Urban Mobility Trends reports track people’s transport habits and preferences, as well as related factors such as their concern about congestion and transport costs – allowing us to observe trends over time. We share our findings with government and industry to contribute to transport planning and policy development.
70% of respondents from the Australian cities surveyed are concerned about rising levels of congestion (54% in the North American regions surveyed) 3.9 average days people travel to their workplace each week, with 15% expecting to increase commuting over the next 12 months
Research Online survey conducted between 30 May and 1 July 2024
5,028 respondents aged 18+ with a driver’s licence from Australia, including Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane; and North America, including the Greater Washington Area covering Virginia and Maryland (United States) and Montreal (Canada)
Survey commissioned by Transurban and conducted by Nature
insights.transurban.com
1
Executive Summary
People have settled into daily travel routines and most are heading to their workplace almost four days a week, our latest Urban Mobility Report research shows. More than 60% of Australians use their private vehicle to commute, while 82% of people in the Greater Washington Area rely on their vehicle to get to work. Around 15% expect they will be travelling to their workplace more often over the next year. Employer requirement is the main reason people expect to increase the number of days they travel to workplaces, which is consistent
In North America, 54% are concerned about congestion now, and even more - 63% - are concerned about the levels of gridlock they may face in a decade. Population growth is likely to put further pressure on transport infrastructure with the biggest increases concentrated in urban areas. Transport infrastructure is one of many public priorities competing for government funding at a time when budgets are constrained by high levels of debt.
The number of people driving a few times a week has increased 3% to 33% while public transport use has risen 5% to 30%. This year’s research again found the price of fuel to be the second highest cost-of-living concern across all cities surveyed, following groceries, despite a slight drop in North America. However, in Australia, 71% of commuters do not, or only occasionally, consider the price of fuel when making decisions about their daily trips. In North America, almost half of daily commuters do not consider the price of fuel when making travel decisions. Traffic congestion both now and in the future remains a major concern for most respondents. More than 70% of Australians surveyed are concerned about current levels of congestion, with 80% fearing it will be worse in a decade. Melburnians and Brisbanites are most worried with almost half of respondents “completely concerned” about congestion in 10 years’ time and the ability for transport infrastructure to keep pace with population growth.
In Australia, 65% of respondents think that governments should meet their infrastructure needs through a mixture of public and private funding. While
with last year’s findings. Around 40% of Australian
respondents cited increased productivity and collaboration with their colleagues as a reason to travel to the workplace more in the next 12 months. When it comes to travelling a few times a week, people are out and about more often, using their vehicle and public transport.
in the United States, 68% of respondents favour this funding mechanism.
AirportlinkM7, Brisbane
insights.transurban.com
2
Section 1: Travel behaviour
50%+ use private vehicles every day
More people are driving several times a week compared to our July 2023 survey
Respondents from the Greater Washington Area and Brisbane report the highest levels of daily driving across all surveyed cities
This section looks at which modes of transport people choose to move around cities.
How people get around On average, more than half of respondents use private vehicles every day to get around, with those from the Greater Washington Area and Brisbane recording the highest levels of daily driving across all surveyed cities (Figure 1). While levels of daily driving remained consistent since our 2023 survey, there has been a slight increase in the rates of those driving a few times a week, with a rise from 30% to 33% (Figure 2). It is a similar story for public transport use. While daily public transport use was down slightly in some cities compared to last year’s survey, there was an increase in the amount of people using public transport a few times a week, with a lift of 7% in Australia to 42% of people who use public transport a few times a week.
Respondents in all cities surveyed say they plan on using public transport more in 2025, with the rates of both daily and ‘a few times a week’ use expected to increase. This could reflect the growing concern people have about congestion now and in 10 years’ time (see section 4). While people’s expectations vary slightly by city, daily use of private vehicles is generally expected to remain the same in 2025 or increase slightly. This comes as vehicle sales and registration rates in Australia continued to grow last year. More than 1.2 million new vehicles were sold in Australia in 2023 – the highest ever for a calendar year. 1 This was reflected in vehicle registrations, with all Australian cities surveyed (Figure 3), experiencing an increase in registrations. 2
1 Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, News, 4 January 2024,, ‘Australia breaks all-time new vehicle sales in 2023 2 B ureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics (BITRE), Australian Infrastructure and Transport Statistics Yearbook (2023 year book, released June 2023)
insights.transurban.com
3
Figure 1: TRANSPORT MODES USED DAILY Transport modes used daily
2022 actual* 2023 actual
2024 actual
2025 predicted
All markets - average
2022 actual*
2023 actual
2024 actual
2025 predicted
Public transport
10%
10%
9%
12%
Private vehicles
50%
54%
53%
53%
Active transport
3%
42%
42%
47%
Australia - average
2022 actual*
2023 actual
2024 actual
2025 predicted
Public transport
12%
13%
12%
16%
Private vehicles
50%
52%
53%
53%
Active transport
2%
43%
45%
49%
Sydney
2022 actual*
2023 actual
2024 actual
2025 predicted
Public transport
17%
19%
16%
23%
Private vehicles
46%
50%
49%
50%
Active transport
2%
49%
50%
54%
Melbourne
2022 actual*
2023 actual
2024 actual
2025 predicted
Public transport
10%
11%
9%
11%
Private vehicles
49%
51%
52%
51%
Active transport
2%
43%
45%
49%
Brisbane
2022 actual*
2023 actual
2024 actual
2025 predicted
Public transport
6%
7%
7%
10%
Private vehicles
55%
56%
58%
58%
Active transport
3%
39%
40%
45%
Greater Washington Area 2022 actual*
2023 actual
2024 actual
2025 predicted
Public transport
3%
4%
3%
3%
Private vehicles
58%
60%
60%
60%
Active transport
2%
37%
37%
38%
Montreal
2022 actual*
2023 actual
2024 actual
2025 predicted
Public transport
12%
5%
9%
9%
Private vehicles
42%
51%
47%
46%
Active transport
4%
40%
41%
46%
Q. How often do you currently use the following modes of transport? Q. And how often do you expect to use the following modes of transport in the next 12 months? * Previously active transport included just bicycles as a mode choice. From 2023 transport figures include bicycles, e-bikes, and walking.
insights.transurban.com
4
Figure 2: TRANSPORT MODES USED A FEW TIMES A WEEK Transport modes used a few times a week
2022 actual* 2023 actual
2024 actual
2025 predicted
All markets - average
2022 actual*
2023 actual
2024 actual
2025 predicted
Public transport
24%
25%
30%
35%
Private vehicles
32%
30%
33%
32%
Active transport
6%
30%
32%
37%
Australia - average
2022 actual*
2023 actual
2024 actual
2025 predicted
Public transport
32%
35%
42%
49%
Private vehicles
33%
31%
34%
33%
Active transport
5%
30%
32%
36%
Sydney
2022 actual*
2023 actual
2024 actual
2025 predicted
Public transport
39%
40%
52%
60%
Private vehicles
35%
30%
35%
34%
Active transport
4%
30%
32%
37%
Melbourne
2022 actual*
2023 actual
2024 actual
2025 predicted
Public transport
31%
34%
41%
48%
Private vehicles
33%
33%
36%
34%
Active transport
6%
31%
32%
37%
Brisbane
2022 actual*
2023 actual
2024 actual
2025 predicted
Public transport
15%
20%
22%
24%
Private vehicles
31%
29%
31%
30%
Active transport
5%
30%
31%
33%
Greater Washington Area 2022 actual*
2023 actual
2024 actual
2025 predicted
Public transport
8%
6%
5%
6%
Private vehicles
26%
26%
29%
29%
Active transport
4%
24%
27%
32%
Montreal
2022 actual*
2023 actual
2024 actual
2025 predicted
Public transport
18%
14%
17%
22%
Private vehicles
36%
32%
33%
32%
Active transport
10%
36%
39%
47%
Q. How often do you currently use the following modes of transport? Q. And how often do you expect to use the following modes of transport in the next 12 months? * Previously active transport included just bicycles as a mode choice. From 2023 transport figures include bicycles, e-bikes, and walking.
insights.transurban.com
5
Figure 3: TOTAL REGISTERED MOTOR VEHICLES, BY STATE/TERRITORY Total registered motor vehicles, by state/territory
2023 2022 2021
6,154,814
6,048,325
New South Wales
5,954,435
5,391,255
Victoria
5,274,911
5,181,441
4,598,755
4,463,812
Queensland
4,344,954
Source: BITRE
M2 Motorway, Sydney
insights.transurban.com
6
Section 2: Getting to work
3.9
77% of respondents in North America use private vehicles to commute
61% of people in Australia use private vehicles to get to work
15% of respondents expect the number of days they travel to their workplace to increase over the next 12 months
3.9 average days people travel to their workplace
This section looks at how often people travel to their workplace and their mode of transport.
Where people are working from
Around 40% of Australian respondents cited increased productivity and collaboration with their colleagues as a reason to travel to the workplace more in the next 12 months. In the Greater Washington Area, 33% of respondents said concern about job security was a factor in their attending the workplace, compared to 23% in Australia and Montreal.
In the Australian cities surveyed, 68% expect their commuting routines to remain similar in the coming year with 22% expecting to travel more, while 7% expect to travel less (Figure 6). We found similar expectations among those surveyed in the Greater Washington Area and Montreal. Being required to by their employer is the main reason people expect to increase the number of days they travel to workplaces, which is consistent with last year’s findings (Figure 7).
Most people travel to their workplace an average of almost four days a week – a figure that has stablised over the past year (Figure 4). In Australia, people are travelling to work an average of 3.9 days, while in the Greater Washington Area that figure increases to an average of 4.2 days. In Montreal, the average is slightly lower at 3.4 days. The number of days that people are travelling for study is slightly down in Australia from three days last year to 2.8 on average this year. In Greater Washington Area and Montreal, the three days on average that people are travelling is consistent with last year. While many people cannot work from home, even those in office- based occupations expect to travel to work on average between 3.6 to 3.9 days a week, depending on the occupation (Figure 5).
insights.transurban.com
7
Figure 4: AVERAGE NUMBER OF DAYS PEOPLE TRAVEL TO THEIR WORKPLACE OR PLACE OF STUDY (OR TRAVEL AROUND FOR THEIR JOB/STUDY) Average number of days people travel to their workplace or place of study (or travel around for their job/study)
2024 2023
Travel for work
3.9 4.0 3.9 4.0 3.9 4.0 3.7 3.8 4.1 4.0 4.2 4.3 3.4 3.7 2.8 3.1 2.8 3.0 2.8 3.1 2.8 3.0 2.9 2.9 3.1 3.2 3.0 3.0
All markets - average
Australia - average
Sydney
Melbourne
Brisbane
Greater Washington Area
Montreal
Travel for study
All markets - average
Australia - average
Sydney
Melbourne
Brisbane
Greater Washington Area
Montreal
Q. In a typical week, how many days do you travel to or for work and travel to or for study?
insights.transurban.com
8
Figure 5: AVERAGE DAYS TRAVELLED TO/FOR WORK, BY OCCUPATION Average days travelled to/for work, by occupation
Greater Washington Area
Australia
Montreal
Machine operator / driver
4.2
4.3
4.2
Manager / administrator
3.9
4.3
4.0
Para professional (e.g. nurse, technician, police)
3.9
4.0
3.9
Trade person (e.g. plumber, electrician)
4.5
4.5
3.5
Sales representative / store salesperson /personal services
3.9
4.0
3.4
Professional (e.g. lawyer, doctor)
3.8
4.1
3.2
Other
3.7
3.9
3.1
Clerical or secretarial
3.6
4.1
3.0
Q. In a typical week, how many days do you travel to or for work?
Eastern Distributor, Sydney
insights.transurban.com
9
Figure 6: EXPECTED CHANGE IN THE NUMBER OF DAYS PEOPLE TRAVEL TO THEIR WORKPLACE (OR TRAVEL AROUND FOR THEIR JOB) Expected change in the number of days people travel to their workplace (or travel around for their job) Decrease Stay the same Increase Unsure
Australia - average
7%
68%
22%
Sydney
5%
67%
25%
Melbourne
8% 68%
20%
Brisbane
8% 70%
20%
Greater Washington Area
7% 64%
24%
Montreal
7% 69%
20%
Q. In the next 12 months, do you expect the number of days you travel to your workplace or place of study to.
Figure 7: REASONS PEOPLE EXPECT TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF DAYS THEY TRAVEL TO THEIR WORKPLACE Reasons people expect to increase the number of days they travel to their workplace
Greater Washington Area
Australia
Montreal
Required by my workplace
51%
40%
48%
Increased productivity
27%
43%
37%
Maintaining work relationships
31%
26%
33%
Increased collaboration
24%
22%
28%
Job security
23%
33%
23%
Undertake tasks that can't be done from home
23%
20%
18%
Poor internet quality at home
11%
6%
15%
Reduced distractions
15%
17%
14%
On-boarding new staff / establishing relationships
14%
11%
11%
Video conference fatigue
8%
8%
10%
Creating separation between my work and my home
15%
15%
8%
Other
4%
1%
4%
Q. Which, if any, of the following reasons would you consider increasing the number of days you travel to work?
insights.transurban.com
10
How people get to work or study Private vehicles far outweigh other modes of transport as the main way people get to work or study. More than 60% of Australian respondents use their private vehicle to commute while 30% take public transport
Commuters in the Greater Washington Area are the most reliant on private cars with 82% choosing that mode of transport. In Montreal, 71% use private vehicles to commute compared to 17% using public transport.
(Figure 8). This result is consistent with last year’s survey findings. The highest users of private vehicles in Australia are in Brisbane (67%) and Melbourne (64%).
Figure 8: MAIN MODE OF TRANSPORT USED TO COMMUTE TO (OR TRAVEL AROUND FOR) WORK/STUDY Main mode of transport used to commute to (or travel around for) work/study
2022 2023 2024
Australia - average
2022
2023
2024
Private vehicles
64%
61%
61%
Public transport
25%
30%
30%
Active transport
7%
7%
6%
Sydney
2022
2023
2024
Private vehicles
57%
55%
53%
Public transport
34%
37%
38%
Active transport
6%
6%
6%
Melbourne
2022
2023
2024
Private vehicles
66%
64%
64%
Public transport
24%
27%
27%
Active transport
6%
6%
8%
Brisbane
2022
2023
2024
Private vehicles
70%
64%
67%
Public transport
18%
24%
25%
Active transport
7%
8%
5%
Greater Washington Area 2022
2023
2024
Private vehicles
85%
85%
82%
Public transport
6%
5%
8%
Active transport
4%
6%
5%
Montreal
2022
2023
2024
Private vehicles
66%
73%
71%
Public transport
18%
13%
17%
Active transport
9%
9%
9%
Q. What type of transport do you mainly use to travel to your workplace/place of study (or travel around for work/study) currently? Even if you use multiple modes of transport during your commute, please select the main mode you use.
insights.transurban.com
11
Section 3: Cost of living and transport costs
$
Cost of living is the most important issue nominated as requiring focus
Groceries and fuel are the top cost-of-living concerns impacting household budgets
Most people do not regularly consider the price of fuel when making travel decisions
People use toll roads to take the most direct route and save time
This section looks at the top cost-of-living concerns impacting people’s household budgets, and the different factors people consider when making transport choices.
Cost of living Predictably, given the current macro- economic conditions, cost of living emerged as the top issue impacting people across all cities surveyed. The concern about cost of living remained consistent in most cities in 2024, aside from the Greater Washington Area where there was an increase in concern by almost 10% from last year. In Australia, 76% listed cost of living as the top issue requiring focus, followed by housing affordability and housing supply. In Greater Washington, jobs and economic growth came second to cost of living; and in Montreal, hospitals and healthcare were the second most important issue. Looking at specific cost-of-living concerns, the top expenses impacting household budgets remained consistent across all cities in 2024, with groceries again ranking as the top cost-of-living concern, followed by fuel.
internet providers; delaying large purchases such as upgrading a car; and cancelling subscriptions or memberships (Figure 12 and Figure 14). In Greater Washington, most people are delaying large purchases, cancelling subscriptions or memberships and automating their savings by splitting money into savings and spending accounts. (Figure 13).
Concern about insurance premiums was the biggest increase on Australian (Figure 9) and Greater Washington (Figure 10) household budgets from last year – both coming in fourth on the list – while in Montreal the biggest increase was rent (Figure 11). When it comes to saving money, the top three ‘big decisions’ people in Australia and Montreal are taking include: switching energy and
insights.transurban.com
12
Concern about household expenses – Australia v3 Figure 9: CONCERN ABOUT HOUSEHOLD EXPENSES – AUSTRALIA
2024 2023 2022
2024
2023
2022
Groceries
62%
61%
56%
Petrol
51%
50%
63%
Electricity
45%
55%
49%
Insurance premiums
37%
29%
27%
Mortgage repayments
32%
32%
24%
Rent
27%
25%
26%
Council rates
23%
20%
22%
Vehicle registration
19%
19%
21%
Vehicle maintenance
18%
16%
18%
Medical bills
18%
14%
15%
Gas (for heating or cooking)
14%
20%
18%
Phone / internet
10%
9%
10%
Public transport fares
9%
7%
9%
Medication
8%
8%
8%
Tolls
7%
6%
8%
School fees
7%
6%
7%
Parking
4%
4%
8%
Vehicle repayments
4%
4%
5%
Childcare
4%
5%
5%
Electric vehicle road user charges 1%
2%
2%
Q. Which expenses are you most concerned about? By concerned we mean the expenses you worry about with increases in cost and your ability to manage those increases in your budget. Please select up to five expenses.
insights.transurban.com
13
Figure 10: CONCERN ABOUT HOUSEHOLD EXPENSES – GREATER WASHINGTON AREA Concern about household expenses – Greater Washington Area v3
2024 2023 2022
2024
2023
2022
Groceries
63%
65%
66%
Gas for driving
45%
51%
61%
Electricity
32%
33%
37%
Insurance premiums
32%
25%
26%
Vehicle maintenance
30%
34%
33%
Rent
30%
25%
31%
Local and state taxes
26%
24%
1%
Medical bills
24%
26%
26%
Phone / internet
20%
21%
24%
Medication
17%
16%
21%
Mortgage repayments
14%
15%
18%
Gas (for heating or cooking)
10%
11%
18%
Vehicle repayments
7%
11%
12%
Vehicle registration
7%
5%
6%
School fees
7%
5%
5%
Tolls
4%
3%
7%
Childcare
4%
4%
5%
Parking
3%
3%
5%
Public transportation fares 2%
3%
4%
Q. Which expenses are you most concerned about? By concerned we mean the expenses you worry about with increases in cost and your ability to manage those increases in your budget. Please select up to five expenses.
insights.transurban.com
14
Figure 11: CONCERN ABOUT HOUSEHOLD EXPENSES – MONTREAL Concern about household expenses – Montreal v3 2024 2023 2022
2024
2023
2022
Groceries
68%
68%
65%
Gas for driving
39%
45%
61%
Rent
38%
29%
29%
Local and state taxes
29%
26%
9%
Vehicle maintenance
28%
26%
27%
Electricity
27%
28%
29%
Insurance premiums
25%
22%
24%
Phone / internet
22%
23%
27%
Mortgage repayments
21%
22%
19%
Medication
14%
14%
16%
Medical bills
13%
12%
16%
Vehicle registration
11%
6%
5%
Vehicle repayments
10%
10%
10%
Gas (for heating or cooking)
8%
12%
13%
School fees
7%
8%
9%
Public transport fares
6%
5%
8%
Childcare
4%
4%
6%
Parking
3%
3%
8%
Tolls
1%
1%
2%
Q. Which expenses are you most concerned about? By concerned we mean the expenses you worry about with increases in cost and your ability to manage those increases in your budget. Please select up to five expenses.
insights.transurban.com
15
Figure 12: WAYS TO SAVE: BIGGER DECISIONS – AUSTRALIA Ways to save: bigger decisions – Australia
2024 2023
63% 58%
Switching energy providers/phone/internet plans
62% 59%
Delaying large purchases (e.g. upgrading your car)
58% 52%
Cancelling subscriptions or memberships
57% 54%
Automating your savings (e.g. splitting pay into savings and spending accounts)
49% 47%
Switching/cancelling insurance policies (e.g. health)
46% 47%
Cancelling travel plans/travelling locally instead
45% 46%
Additional work hours or finding additional part-time work
Reducing borrowing behaviour (e.g. payday loans, ‘buy now, pay later’) or cancelling some/all credit cards
41% 38%
29% 29%
Refinancing home loan (to reduce interest) or selling investment properties
23% 21%
Delaying further study/qualifications
18% 16%
Selling vehicle(s)
16% 16%
Moving back home with parents/family
14% 12%
Selling investment properties
Q. Thinking about how you are managing your finances more generally, which (if any) of the following things are you currently doing to save money (if applicable to you)?
insights.transurban.com
16
Figure 13: WAYS TO SAVE: BIGGER DECISIONS – GREATER WASHINGTON AREA Ways to save: bigger decisions – Greater Washington Area
2024 2023
59% 58%
Delaying large purchases (e.g. upgrading your car)
54% 51%
Cancelling subscriptions or memberships
47% 49%
Automating your savings (e.g. splitting pay into savings and spending accounts)
41% 41%
Additional work hours or finding additional part-time work
Reducing borrowing behaviour (e.g. payday loans, ‘buy now, pay later’) or cancelling some/all credit cards
40% 38%
40% 43%
Cancelling travel plans/travelling locally instead
35% 32%
Switching energy providers/ phone/internet plans
26% 31%
Switching/cancelling insurance policies (e.g. health)
20% 21%
Delaying further study/qualifications
17% 15%
Moving back home with parents/family
14% 13%
Selling vehicle(s)
13% 14%
Selling investment properties
Q. Thinking about how you are managing your finances more generally, which (if any) of the following things are you currently doing to save money (if applicable to you)?
insights.transurban.com
17
Figure 14: WAYS TO SAVE: BIGGER DECISIONS – MONTREAL Ways to save: bigger decisions – Montreal
2024 2023
63% 58%
Switching energy providers/phone/internet plans
62% 59%
Delaying large purchases (e.g. upgrading your car)
58% 52%
Cancelling subscriptions or memberships
57% 54%
Automating your savings (e.g. splitting pay into savings and spending accounts)
49% 47%
Switching/cancelling insurance policies (e.g. health)
46% 47%
Cancelling travel plans/travelling locally instead
45% 46%
Additional work hours or finding additional part-time work
Reducing borrowing behaviour (e.g. payday loans, ‘buy now, pay later’) or cancelling some/all credit cards
41% 38%
29% 29%
Refinancing home loan (to reduce interest) or selling investment properties
23% 21%
Delaying further study/qualifications
18% 16%
Selling vehicle(s)
16% 16%
Moving back home with parents/family
14% 12%
Selling investment properties
Q. Thinking about how you are managing your finances more generally, which (if any) of the following things are you currently doing to save money (if applicable to you)?
insights.transurban.com
18
Transport costs The price of fuel is still the top transport-related cost-of-living concern for 2024 across all cities surveyed, despite a slight drop in North America. Concern about the price of fuel dropped 6% in Greater Washington and Montreal compared to 2023, but it remains the second biggest concern on overall household budgets. While in Australia, there was a small increase of 1%, with 51% of Australians also ranking fuel as the second highest expense causing stress on the household budget (Figure 9).
Of the Australian cities surveyed, the biggest concern about fuel prices was in Brisbane where 56% of people ranked it as a top cost of living concern. This comes after Brisbane recorded the highest average retail petrol prices of Australia’s largest cities in the March 2024 quarter. 3 Despite fuel being a top cost of living concern across all cities, most people surveyed do not consider, or only occasionally consider, the price of fuel when making travel choices (Figures 15-18).
In Australia, 71% of commuters do not, or only occasionally, consider the price of fuel when making decisions about their daily trips. In North America, almost half of daily commuters do not consider the price of fuel when making travel decisions.
Figure 15: INFLUENCE OF FUEL PRICE ON TRAVEL CHOICES – AUSTRALIA Influence of fuel price on travel choices – Australia Not at all Occasionally All the time I'm not sure
Commuting 2024 38%
33%
23% 6%
2023
45%
30%
21% 5%
2022
26%
35%
34% 5%
Short trips (under an hour) 2024 37%
37%
22%
2023
41%
36%
19%
2022
32%
39%
27%
Long trips (over an hour) 2024 28%
39%
29%
2023
31%
37%
28%
2022
14%
37%
46%
Q. To what extent, if at all, do you think the price of petrol/gas influenced your transport and travel choices over the last six months?
3 Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) Quarterly report on the Australian petroleum market – March quarter 2024
insights.transurban.com
19
Figure 16: INFLUENCE OF FUEL PRICE ON TRAVEL CHOICES – GREATER WASHINGTON AREA Influence of fuel price on travel choices – Greater Washington Area
Not at all
Occasionally All the time I'm not sure
Commuting 2024 49%
22%
22% 6%
2023
51%
20%
21% 8%
2022
32%
26%
38%
Short trips (under an hour) 2024 41%
34%
22%
2023
41%
32%
23% 5%
2022
32%
36%
31%
Long trips (over an hour) 2024 32%
32%
32%
2023
32%
32%
32% 5%
2022
15%
26%
57%
Q. To what extent, if at all, do you think the price of petrol/gas influenced your transport and travel choices over the last six months?
Figure 17: INFLUENCE OF FUEL PRICE ON TRAVEL CHOICES – MONTREAL Influence of fuel price on travel choices – Montreal
Not at all
Occasionally All the time I'm not sure
Commuting 2024 48%
28%
18% 6%
2023
48%
23%
20% 9%
2022
37%
24%
29% 10%
Short trips (under an hour) 2024 40%
37%
19%
2023
40%
32%
23% 5%
2022
33%
37%
25%
Long trips (over an hour) 2024 32%
37%
27% 5%
2023
33%
35%
27%
2022
15%
38%
43%
Q. To what extent, if at all, do you think the price of petrol/gas influenced your transport and travel choices over the last six months?
insights.transurban.com
20
Why and when people choose toll roads Most people are relatively infrequent users of toll roads. In both Australia and North America, most people use
When deciding to use a toll road, people are doing so because it provides them with the most direct route, saves time and helps them avoid traffic. The ability to save on fuel costs – a top cost of living concern – is also a key consideration due to quicker trip times on toll roads (Figure 19).
Most people use toll roads less than once a week
toll roads less than once a week. Daily commuters make up the smallest percentage of toll road users across all cities surveyed (Figure 18).
People use toll roads to take the most direct route, save time, and avoid traffic
Figure 18: FREQUENCY OF TOLL ROAD USE Frequency of toll road use
Greater Washington Area
Sydney
Melbourne
Brisbane
Montreal
Commuter Once a day or more Frequent Once a week or more Infrequent Once a month or more Intermittent Once a year or more
1%
4%
2%
3%
2%
21%
31%
21%
16%
10%
21%
22%
23%
14%
7%
32%
25%
37%
27%
18%
Non-user Less than once a year or never
26%
18%
18%
40%
62%
Q. How often do you travel on any road, bridge, or tunnel you must pay to use, otherwise known as a toll road?
Figure 19: REASONS FOR USING TOLL ROADS Reasons for using toll roads
Greater Washington Area
Sydney
Melbourne
Brisbane
Montreal
Most direct route
47%
49%
52%
54%
43%
Saves time
61%
61%
58%
46%
42%
Less traffic
30%
24%
29%
26%
30%
Saves fuel (shorter overall drive time)
22%
20%
23%
19%
16%
No other transport option available (e.g. un-tolled road, public transport)
14%
12%
12%
21%
15%
Safer to drive on
13%
11%
9%
13%
14%
More consistent travel times
18%
22%
16%
17%
11%
Other reason
2%
3%
3%
2%
4%
Fewer greenhouse gas emissions
4%
3%
3%
6%
4%
Q. Why do you use toll roads? Please select all that apply.
insights.transurban.com
21
Section 4: Congestion and transport infrastructure development
Most people believe governments should work with the private sector to fund the delivery of new roads and major upgrades to existing roads, with the majority thinking it should be a mix of public and private investment
70% of Australians concerned about traffic congestion; 80% concerned about potential levels of congestion in a decade
54% of North American respondents are concerned about the current levels of congestion
This section looks at understanding people’s views about traffic congestion and attitudes towards transport infrastructure development.
Congestion levels
Population growth is likely to put further pressure on transport infrastructure with the biggest increases concentrated in urban areas including Melbourne and South East Queensland. Over the next two decades, Australia is expected to grow by more than 7 million people. 4 Furthermore, in Australia, road freight is forecast to increase by almost 80% by from 2020 to 2050. 5
In North America, 54% are concerned about congestion now, and even more – 63% – are concerned about the levels of gridlock they may face in a decade. Washington, D.C. is ranked the second most congested city in the country. In 2023, commuters spent an extra 86 hours in the car during rush hour due to congestion.
In Australia, 70% of survey respondents are concerned about current levels of congestion, while 80% fear it will be worse in a decade (Figure 20). In Melbourne and Brisbane concern is the highest where almost half of respondents say they are “completely concerned” about congestion in 10 years’ time and the ability for transport infrastructure to keep pace with population growth.
Population growth 6
2023 congestion level 7
Brisbane
~40%
25%
Melbourne
~35%
26%
Sydney
~25%
30%
Greater Washington Area
~16%
25%
Montreal
~14%
27%
4 Australian Bureau of Statistics. Population Projections, Australia, November 2023 5 Navigating Australia's Freight Future, National Freight Data Hub 6 Deloitte Access Economics (DAE) Sep22 Land Use Forecasts; PSG (Pritchett Steinbeck Group, Inc.), January 2023 release. 7 Percentage represents average additional time (in percentage) lost to traffic in 2023, compared to driving in free-flowing conditions. Source: TomTom data.
insights.transurban.com
22
Figure 20: CONCERN ABOUT CONGESTION NOW AND IN 10 YEARS' TIME Concern about congestion now and in 10 years’ time Not at all concerned Somewhat unconcerned Neither concerned nor unconcerned Somewhat concerned Completely concerned
Australia - average Now
8%
18%
49%
21%
In 10 years' time
13%
37%
43%
Sydney Now
10%
21%
45%
19%
In 10 years' time
7% 14%
39%
38%
Melbourne Now
7% 18%
50%
21%
In 10 years' time
12%
36%
45%
Brisbane Now
9% 15%
52%
21%
In 10 years' time
12%
35%
47%
greater Washington Area Now
14% 10%
21%
38%
18%
In 10 years' time
10% 7% 18%
34%
31%
Montreal Now
9% 13%
26%
39% 13%
In 10 years' time
8% 10%
21%
30%
31%
Q. How concerned are you about the issue of increased traffic congestion in your state/territory/province – both now and in ten years’ time when the population is expected to have increased?
Logan Motorway, Greater Brisbane
insights.transurban.com
23
Avoiding peak hour
In Australia, around 30% of respondents also said they had no choice but to travel in peak hour due to obligations such as school drop off.
Those in Australia who have the ability to adjust their work hours are mostly doing so to beat the peak, with 84% either regularly or occasionally travelling outside rush hour. However, 33% of people in Australia said that while their workplaces allowed flexible start/finish times, it was not encouraged (Figure 23), while in North America only 24% felt the same way.
In North America, 61% of respondents are more likely to be able to adjust their working hours to avoid peak travel times compared to 52% of Australian respondents (Figure 21). For those who are able to change their work start and finish times, most did so regularly – Greater Washington Area (59%); Montreal (57%) and Australia (53%) (Figure 22).
Figure 21: ABILITY TO ADJUST WORK START AND END TIMES TO AVOID PEAK/RUSH HOUR TRAVEL Ability to adjust work start and end times to avoid peak/rush hour travel Yes No
38%
41%
48%
52%
59%
62%
Australia
Greater Washington Area
Montreal
Q. If your job or shift requires you to commute during peak/rush hour travel times, are you able to adjust your work start and end times?
WestConnex, Sydney
insights.transurban.com
24
Figure 22: FREQUENCY OF RUSH HOUR AVOIDANCE Frequency of rush hour avoidance Regular Occasional Rare Does not apply
Australia
53%
28%
16%
Greater Washington Area
59%
25%
14%
Montreal
57%
23%
17%
Q. How often do you avoid travelling during peak/rush hour? Asked only of those whose workplace allows them to adjust their work start and end times. Excludes respondents for whom this does not apply (e.g. those who travel in the opposite direction).
Figure 23: REASONS FOR NOT AVOIDING PEAK/RUSH HOUR TRAVEL Reasons for not avoiding peak/rush hour travel Australia Greater Washington Area Montreal
Greater Washington Area
Australia
Montreal
I don't mind travelling during peak/rush hour Other obligations require me to travel during peak/rush hour (e.g. school drop-off) Flexible start/end times are allowed, but not encouraged in my workplace (e.g. frowned up by my manager)
33%
36%
39%
30%
32%
31%
33%
24%
24%
I find it easier to travel during peak/rush hour
9%
11%
13%
Other reason
4%
6%
4%
I prefer travelling during peak/rush hour
7%
6%
4%
Q. Which of the following are reasons why you don’t/can’t avoid travelling during peak/rush hour more often? Please select all that apply.
insights.transurban.com
25
How to fund transport infrastructure Transport infrastructure is one of many public priorities competing for funding at a time when governments face high levels of debt.
Smart infrastructure includes coordinated traffic lights and variable speed limits as well as technologies on managed motorways such as toll roads including electronic lane use and variable messaging signs, CCTV and automated incident detection.
The private sector in Australia has helped plug funding gaps has to deliver critical transport infrastructure through public- private partnership arrangements. Most respondents – 74% – think a mix of smarter infrastructure to improve traffic flow and more public transport are the keys to relieving congestion, followed by more and improved roads in congested areas (Figure 25).
In Australia, 65% of respondents think that governments should meet their infrastructure needs through a mixture of public and private funding. While in the United States, 68% of respondents favour this funding mechanism (Figure 24).
Figure 24: ROLE OF PRIVATE SECTOR IN FUNDING AND DELIVERY OF ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE Role of private sector in funding and delivery of road infrastructure
Governments should allow private investment Governments should allow a mix of government and private investment Governments should never allow private investment
Australia 2024
11%
65%
24%
2023
10%
64%
26%
2022
16%
62%
22%
greater Washington Area 2024 17%
68%
15%
2023
16%
66%
18%
2022
16%
67%
17%
Montreal 2024
20%
59%
21%
2023
41%
41%
19%
2022
21%
58%
22%
Q. To what extent do you think government should seek private investment to help fund the delivery of new roads and major upgrades to existing roads? Private investors receive a financial return from either the government or users of the roads.
insights.transurban.com
26
Figure 25: MEASURES GOVERNMENTS SHOULD TAKE TO REDUCE OR AVOID FUTURE CONGESTION Measures governments should take to reduce or avoid future congestion
Greater Washington Area
Sydney
Melbourne
Brisbane
Montreal
Smarter roads: Invest in smart infrastructure to improve traffic flow (e.g. coordinated traffic lights, variable speed limits, variable direction roads) More public transport: Add more public transport services or routes in congested areas More lanes: Build more roads (or widen roads) in congested areas Prioritize public transport: Add more bus lanes, bus-only roads in congested areas More active transport: Build more bicycle infrastructure and walking tracks in congested areas Fewer larger vehicles: Tax large vehicles that take up more road and parking space
43%
50%
51%
50%
45%
51%
51%
51%
42%
39%
34%
40%
39%
44%
35%
32%
29%
36%
24%
34%
20%
17%
19%
16%
17%
18%
23%
16%
15%
17%
More e-transport: Build specific facilities for e-bikes and e-scooters in congested areas More smaller vehicles: Provide incentives to buy smaller vehicles that take up less road and parking space Fewer vehicles: Add a congestion charge for driving and parking in congested areas
10%
8%
8%
8%
16%
18%
17%
15%
14%
16%
15%
11%
11%
9%
12%
Q. Which measures should the government take to reduce or avoid future congestion? Select up to three options.
CityLink, Melbourne
insights.transurban.com
27
Australia
Melbourne (head office) Level 31, Tower 5, Collins Square 727 Collins Street Docklands Victoria 3008
Phone +61 3 8656 8900 Fax +61 3 8656 8585
North America
Greater Washington Area Suite T500, 7900 Westpark Drive Tysons, VA 22102
Phone +1 571-419-6100 Email corporate@transurban.com
Find us
insights.transurban.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online