AUSTIN, Texas — With schools back in session for in-person learning, the Austin Transportation Department said traffic in Austin is increasing.
But Managing Engineer Jen Duthie said the impact isn't the same compared to pre-pandemic years. Duthie said she usually sees a 10% jump in traffic during the back-to-school period.
This year, traffic only increased a few percentage points when Austin ISD went back to school and a little bit more when the University of Texas at Austin started classes on Wednesday.
But as people continue to move to Austin, Duthie said “there’s certainly a possibility” for higher levels of traffic than before the pandemic.
“That said, there [are] a lot more remote work possibilities that employees are offering than ever before. There are more virtual learning opportunities,” Duthie said. “And so, we are still seeing lower traffic than pre-pandemic times, and we expect that to continue through the fall.”
If you’re commuting to school or work and are noticing a change in traffic, Duthie said peak traffic hours are from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
She shared these tips with KVUE to help relieve traffic and make your commute less stressful:
- If you can, adjust your schedule to position your commute during non-peak hours
- Work from home if you can, even if it's just a few days a week
- If you have to commute during peak hours, consider not driving alone. Use transit, bike or walk
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