Istanbul drivers spent an average of 105 hours stuck in traffic in 2024, as the Turkish metropolis topped Europe’s congestion rankings, according to a new study using artificial intelligence to model accident-related delays.
The study, conducted by Dr. Hüseyin Korkmaz of Istanbul University, found that the city recorded 97,354 traffic accidents last year, contributing to the mounting gridlock in a city where congestion levels reached 41%, ranking it 35th globally.
Korkmaz, Türkiye’s first academic to receive a PhD in intelligent transportation systems, used official police data to develop a model estimating the impact of accidents on traffic delays. The findings showed that even minor collisions could cause significant disruptions—single-lane closures added at least 10 minutes to commute times, while crashes involving motorcycles or small trucks caused delays of up to 90 minutes.
“Traffic congestion isn’t just about volume—it’s about predictability and tolerance,” Korkmaz said. “Drivers already stressed by long commutes are easily impacted by even short delays.”
Most accidents occurred during peak commute hours—between 5:00 a.m. and 8:30 a.m., and 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.—on major arteries such as the D-100 highway, the TEM motorway and coastal roads. Fridays saw the highest number of incidents, primarily involving passenger vehicles.
The data revealed that from 2013 to 2021, Istanbul experienced more than 147,000 accidents, with nearly 100,000 causing congestion of up to 30 minutes.
Korkmaz said the city’s infrastructure and demographics exacerbate the problem. “Unless we address population growth and decentralize employment opportunities, traffic will not improve. Wider roads only solve the issue temporarily,” he said.
The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) is considering congestion pricing for high-traffic districts such as Kadıköy and Eminönü. However, Korkmaz emphasized that such measures must be paired with enhanced public transport. “Without reliable alternatives, restrictions on private vehicles will not work,” he said.
Parking and urban density also play a role. “In districts like Bağcılar and Küçükçekmece, streets narrowed by parked cars choke traffic flow,” he said, suggesting that new urban planning—particularly in the city’s northern areas near the new airport—could offer relief.
The study calls for long-term strategies integrating AI, better urban planning, and public transit development to tackle Istanbul’s persistent traffic woes.