'Pedestrian Congestion' Hurts the Economy Too

There's an economic cost for making pedestrians wait at stoplights, according to a new study.

1 minute read

September 5, 2017, 10:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


New Zealand

science photo / Shutterstock

"Pedestrian congestion" is costing Auckland $186 million every year, reports James Pasley.

Pasley is sharing the results of a new study called "Investigating the Economic Value of Walking in the Auckland City Centre," which was presented to the Auckland Council recently. The study put a monetary value on the time pedestrians spend waiting at stoplights.

Commuters in Auckland have been choosing non-automobile modes of transportation at levels not seen since the 1950s, according to the article.  In many parts of the city center, pedestrians far outnumber cars.  Planners in the city have already responded: "Six out of eight of the key objectives in Auckland's 20-year "city centre masterplan" were around improving pedestrian connections in the city," reports Pasley.

Hat tip to Angie Schmitt.

Monday, September 4, 2017 in Aukland Now

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 11, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Rendering of Shirley Chisholm Village four-story housing development with person biking in front.

San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning

SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.

June 8, 2025 - Fast Company

Yellow single-seat Japanese electric vehicle drivign down road.

The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs

The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.

June 6, 2025 - PC Magazine

Tall modern condo buildings on both sides of CN Tower rising in middle.

Toronto Condo Sales Drop 75%

In two of Canada’s most expensive cities, more condos were built than ever — and sales are plummeting.

6 seconds ago - Financial Post

Two people walking away from camera through pedestrian plaza in street in Richmond, Virginia with purple and white city bus moving in background.

Vehicle-related Deaths Drop 29% in Richmond, VA

The seventh year of the city's Vision Zero strategy also cut the number of people killed in alcohol-related crashes by half.

1 hour ago - WRIC

White Waymo autonomous car driving fast down city street with blurred background at night.

Seattle's Plan for Adopting Driverless Cars

Equity, safety, accessibility and affordability are front of mind as the city prepares for robotaxis and other autonomous vehicles.

June 16 - Smart Cities Dive