TomTom collected data from its Tele Atlas business system GPS data to determine what streets were "congested." In order to qualify a driver has to travel at only 70% or less than the posted speed limits. And while cities like Los Angeles and New York make the top five, it's actually Seattle, Washington at the top of the pile with 43% of the roads considered congested. Full details in the gallery.

Rank: 20th
City: Houston, Texas
% Of Roads Congested: 23%
Population: 2.24 million

Rank: 19th
City: Portland, Oregon
% Of Roads Congested: 23%
Population: 557,706

Rank: 18th
City: San Juan, Puerto Rico
% Of Roads Congested: 24%
Population: 422,655

Rank: 17th
City: Long Island, New York
% Of Roads Congested: 24%
Population: 7.45 million

Rank: 16th
City: Phoenix, Arizona
% Of Roads Congested:
Population: 1.57 million

Rank: 15th
City: Austin, Texas
% Of Roads Congested: 25%
Population: 757,688

Rank: 14th
City: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
% Of Roads Congested: 25%
Population: 1.54 million

Rank: 13th
City: Fairfax County, Virginia
% Of Roads Congested: 26%
Population: 1.02 million

Rank: 12th
City: Boston, Massachusetts
% Of Roads Congested: 27%
Population: 620,535

Rank: 11th
City: Atlanta, Georgia
% Of Roads Congested: 27%
Population: 537,958

Rank: 10th
City: Oakland, California
% Of Roads Congested: 28%
Population: 645,345

Rank: 9th
City: Alexandria, Virginia
% Of Roads Congested: 28%
Population: 140,024

Rank: 8th
City: San Jose, California
% Of Roads Congested: 29%
Population: 948,279

Rank: 7th
City: Washington, D.C.
% Of Roads Congested: 30%
Population: 591,833

Rank: 6th
City: New York, New York
% Of Roads Congested: 31%
Population: 8.37 million

Rank: 5th
City: San Francisco, California
% Of Roads Congested: 35%
Population:

Rank: 4th
City: Montgomery County, Maryland
% Of Roads Congested: 37%
Population: 808,976

Rank: 3rd
City: Chicago, Illinois
% Of Roads Congested: 37%
Population: 2.85 million

Rank: 2nd
City: Los Angeles, California
% Of Roads Congested: 38%
Population: 3.83 million

Rank: 1st
City: Seattle, Washington
% Of Roads Congested: 43%
Population: 602,000

Stanković’s Eko is a marvel of user interface design: instant comprehension without manuals. Apart from easing the common anxiety caused by a lack of information about a traffic light’s timing, Eko also has an environmental aspect: if you can see that it’s going to take a while for it to turn green, you can shut your engine off and conserve fuel.

An added and perhaps unintended benefit is readily available infrastructure for stoplight-to-stoplight races.

Just so you can launch from your optimal rev range and teach that punk in the Honda a lesson. But: shhh! Don’t tell your local lawmaker.

Photo Credit: Damjan Stanković

Watch CBS News Videos OnlineI watched the above Mo Rocca segment on CBS "This Morning" this weekend featuring Dr. Gerald Wilde, a professor of psychology at Ontario's Queens University. Wilde theorizes — in something he calls "risk homeostasis" — that everyone has his or her own fixed level of acceptable risk. When the level of risk in a part of the individual's life changes, there will be a corresponding rise or fall in risk elsewhere to bring the overall risk back to that individual's equilibrium. Wilde argues that the same is true of larger human systems, like a population of drivers. He argues that street signs designed to make us safer actually make us drive more carelessly by sort of nanny-ing us into complacency.

A new traffic movement called "naked streets," being practiced in the city of Drachten in the Netherlands seeks to change that. The small city spearheaded the change of 20 four-way intersections into traffic circles with no signage. The net result? One intersection went from between two and four people dying each year to zero people dying since 2003. In another, the removal of traffic lights has resulted in accidents falling from thirty-six in the four years before it was introduced to two in the next two years. Not only that but they've been more efficient — thanks to overall increases in efficiency from traffic circles — with the average time for each vehicle to cross the junction falling from 50 seconds to 30 seconds, despite a rise in the volume of traffic. Why? Because people are paying attention to traffic, they're going slower and they're communicating with each other.

Owen Paterson, the Dutch Transport Minister, visited Drachten to see the implementation in action. "The idea is to create space where there is mild anxiety among everyone so they all behave cautiously. No one thunders along at 30mph on a high street thinking that they have priority." Mr Paterson said that putting up more speed limit signs and painting more lines on the road had failed to make streets safer. "Instead of the State laying down the rules, we need to give responsibility back to road users. It's about creating an environment where it just doesn't feel right to drive faster than 20mph." We couldn't have said it better ourselves.

Now the experiment's moving beyond the little Dutch city and into the bright lights of London — the first major city that may attempt to order traffic through disorder. Boris Johnson, the city's mayor, is behind an effort to switch off traffic lights in the city's center. The NYT Wheels Blog tell us

"The experiment is slated for around Westminster Abbey (at the intersection of Victoria Street and Strutton Ground) and will last six weeks. For the first two weeks, the lights will operate as normal. The lights will be shut off the following two weeks, and then turned back on for the final two weeks. Closed-circuit cameras and license-plate recognition cameras will monitor driver and pedestrian response."

If the experiment's successful, London could switch off as many as 20% of the city's 400-plus traffic lights.

While we're not entirely convinced all signs should be removed. Frankly, we're concerned that leaving the decision of which drivers are "driving too fast for the conditions" to law enforcement leaves some serious potential for abuse. But, the idea of smart traffic circles still may make sense in many intersections. Really, anything to get rid of the idiots who think a stop sign is nothing more than a yield sign would be great. [via CBS News, NYT Wheels Blog, Times Online]

The event took place in 2005 and clogged up roads for more than five hours. Photos of the event are now on display as part of an exhibit entitled "Auto. Dream And Material" on display at the Laboral Centro de Arte y Creacion Industrial in Gijon, Spain. [Laboral Centro De Arte via Inhabitat]

FORD MOTOR COMPANY LAUNCHES 'DRIVING SKILLS FOR LIFE' TRAINING IN CHINA

Successful global program is adapted to suit China's driving environment

SHANGHAI, China, June 12, 2009 — Ford Motor Company today launched its global Driving Skills for Life (DSFL) driver education program in China, together with its joint venture, Changan Ford Mazda Automobile Co., Ltd. and Jiangling Motors Co., Ltd.

Driving Skills for Life training sessions will be conducted through the end of August at 62 full-service Ford dealerships in 22 Chinese cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing and Nanjing. DSFL is offered free to program trainees, and Ford plans to have more than 3,000 drivers participate in the training this year.

The DSFL training has been customized for China to reflect the local driving environment and road conditions, and will mix classroom learning and practical training to help increase awareness of safe driving techniques and teach skills that can help drivers improve fuel efficiency.

"Ford is committed to contributing to Chinese society and being a leading advocate for road safety and environmental protection. The Driving Skills for Life program is dedicated to promoting driving techniques that result in improved safety, improved fuel economy and a better environment," said Robert Graziano, Chairman and CEO of Ford Motor China. "The DSFL program leverages our company's expertise, and will engage our employees and dealers to really help make a difference in the local communities."

Reducing the toll of road traffic accidents across the Asia Pacific region is a key objective of the Driving Skills for Life program. The World Health Organization estimates that road traffic accidents will become the third-leading cause of premature death for all ages by 2020, accounting for a staggering 1.3 million deaths every year.

As one of the world's fastest growing auto markets, China has a high percentage of first-time car-buyers and drivers on its roads. Ford strongly believes that programs like Driving Skills for Life are critical to address growing concerns about road safety in the emerging markets of its Asia Pacific and Africa region, including China.

"Road safety is becoming a serious issue in China, and it's one that is very relevant to our business. We are confident that the Driving Skills for Life program will help raise awareness of safe driving practices among China's drivers," said Jeffrey Shen, President of Changan Ford Mazda Automobile Co., Ltd. "It's our goal to help cultivate a driving culture that values road safety and environmental protection behind the wheel."

Safe driving is economical
Nowadays a fuel-efficient driving style is no longer an option, but a real necessity. The introduction of this program is also timely for the reason. In addition to teaching basic safety skills, Driving Skills for Life will teach drivers how to improve fuel efficiency by up to 25 percent.

Key focal points of the training include methods to drive more economically with reduced environmental impact. Economical driving trainings cover topics of anticipating road conditions, applying fuel-efficient driving techniques, avoiding speeding and keeping a vehicle properly maintained for optimal fuel economy.

"The techniques used for safe driving are essentially the same for economical, fuel-efficient motoring," said Chi Linbing, a trainer from CFMA. "So, driving steadily at a reasonable engine speeds is not only safer, but can also help drivers improve fuel efficiency, as well as reduce CO2 emissions."

As Ford's first automotive investment in China, Jiangling Motors Co. Ltd. (JMC) also participates in the campaign and encourages the public to save energy.

Driving Skills for Life was established in the United States in 2003 by the not-for-profit Ford Motor Company Fund, the U.S. Governors Highway Safety Association, and a panel of safety experts, to teach drivers the necessary skills for safe driving beyond what is learned in standard driver training programs.

The DSFL program was launched last year in four of Ford's Asia Pacific and Africa markets – including Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam – and is on its way to becoming the company's first truly region-wide CSR initiative. More than 5,400 drivers participated in the DSFL training in 2008. The China launch represents the latest component of a global campaign that has helped educate more than 320,000 motorists to date, including both the U.S. and European initiatives.

[via allworldcars]

Location: Germany
We always knew something was up with those crazy Germans and apparently the only time to stop is for little red fairy hugs.

Location: Australia
Officially named a '14 lanterns' signal, it would officially piss us off.

Location: Germany
Again, ze crazy Germans, this time with their ultra annoyingly positive, forward thinking traffic signals.

Location: Unknown
The only execution that'll happen is when you're stop to read this traffic signal while it's green.

Location: Germany
These signals attempt to learn you some sweet street crossing skills.

Location: Amsterdam
Look, even the bicyclists get traffic signals.

Location: Cambridge
Don't worry, be happy that you're getting ready to get stuck in traffic on your way home from a super long day at work. Kill it with fire. Now.

Location: Germany
Could the signal be any higher or any more distracting?

Location: Copenhagen
Damn bicyclists again. Can't they just learn to keep a sense of awareness when traveling on the streets?

Location: Italy
Silly Italians and your sexy-time designer traffic signals.

Location: Australia
How convenient that the Australians get a countdown clock letting them know how soon they can resume honning.

Location: Unknown
Mobile traffic signal? Damn the man and his sneaky ways.

Location: Japan
The Japanese borrowed the countdown idea from Oz and in typical Japanese fashion, made it impossible to actually understand, but it certainly looks cool.

Location: Unknown, but likely Jamaica
There's nothing like getting your smoke on while cruising in traffic. Great idea.

Location: London
Get. Out. It doesn't get much more confusing than this.

After the city sealed off Broadway to traffic at Times Square and at Herald Square, from 35th to 33rd Streets, where it intersects with the Avenue of Americas, that might be a logical question. Especially when on Monday — Memorial Day — the Times Square Alliance, a group that represents local businesses, set out 350 lawn chairs and 26 chaise lounges.

While you shouldn't expect to see traffic-limiting measures such as the Times Square shutdown to hit places like LA or Detroit with their limited mass transit options, in other large cities with a developed alternative to appliance-driving, expect to see more of this.

And you know what? We're OK with it. That may seem anti-auto to some, but frankly, we're sick of cars being ruined by commuters. This desire for independence while commuting has turned cars into something more akin to refrigerators — a commodity. So in a time when once-proud automakers have developed into milquetoast shadows of the icons they once were, we're happy to see commuters forced to look at alternatives to their Camccordibus and taxis. Get off the roads and onto a bus or subway, you McDonald's breakfast sandwich-eating, 7-11 big gulp-drinking cows — they're for enthusiasts. Or, as is the case on this small patch of asphalt in the Big Apple — the lawn chairs. [via NYT]

Photo Credit: Marc Isler @ Flickr

Modern Cairo was built to house four million people. It has now swelled to some 17 million which is why narrow two-way streets on the banks of the River Nile, are by 0900 local time transformed into four-lane carriageways.

Drivers swerve with the greatest dexterity into the tiniest of spaces. Nearly every car or bus carries the scars of battle.

The rules are pretty simple. Full-beam headlights and blaring horns somewhere behind usually mean you are about to be overtaken - or undertaken - at high speed, even though there is no space between your car and that concrete wall beside you.

One more business opportunity, it seems, for flying cars. Proper flying cars, that is, in the Jetsons manner.

Source: BBC, Photo Credit: KHALED DESOUKI/AFP/Getty Images

The good news is 2008 saw a major decrease in traffic, with drivers in the 100 largest metropolitan areas dealing with a 29% decrease in congestion on average. The bad news is we're seeing it because of an increase in gas prices, which led to less driving and more carpooling, and a decrease in jobs, which led to more people sitting on the couch hoping their unemployment doesn't run out so they can afford to keep their benefits. It's a vicious circle. Much like the pain we're seeing in these community-by-community breakdowns of the most congested intersections in these 20 most congested metro areas.

1. Los Angeles	2. New York	3. Chicago	4. Dallas Fort Worth
5. Washington, D.C.	6. Houston	7. San Francisco	8. Boston
9. Seattle	10. Minneapolis-St. Paul	11. Philadelphia	12. Atlanta
13. Phoenix	14. Miami	15. San Diego	16. Denver
17. Baltimore	18. San Jose	19. Detroit	20. Riverside-San Bernardino

Though traffic does correlate to population rank, with the top four metropolitan areas also in the four worst cities for traffic, there are some anomalies. The Washington, D.C.-Arlington-Alexandria area is only the eighth most populous region in the country but is the fifth worst when it comes to traffic due to its high capacity of employment in the area and the lack of good housing stock for middle class families within "The Beltway" area.

Detroit is 11th largest in terms of population but only has the 19th worst traffic situation, primarily because of a 47% decrease in traffic year-over-year due to the economy and dramatic job loss. The collapse of the housing market hit Riverside-San Bernardino, a.k.a. the Inland Empire, hardest of all. The area saw a drop of 57% in traffic congestion, which is almost the same as the 55% drop in median home prices. While there's probably not a 1:1 ratio between the change in home values and congestion, they're likely connected.

Areas less affected by the housing market still experienced decreases in traffic, but at a lower level. For instance, home prices in Dallas remained stable and traffic congestion only decreased by 13% year-over-year, causing Dallas to move up to the fourth most congested city.

Los Angeles, New York City and Chicago are, as expected, still the worst cities for traffic in America. Los Angeles is so bad that peak hour congestion in Los Angeles is twice what it is in Chicago. The combination of a large population and low density makes L.A. even worse than the more populous New York. Compared to the Big Apple, Los Angeles also has fewer mass transit options.

Click on any of the cities above to see their current rank, population, congestion change and worst time of day for traffic. You can also view a gallery of the 100 worst intersections that fall within each city. A look at the hotspots reveal a few similar trends: intersecting highways, two-lane sections with onramps and merging lanes.

If you're reading this post it means you've actually made it home or made it to work. Congrats. There's probably someone still stuck in traffic.

[via Forbes, Google Earth]

[Source: Forbes]

Click Here To Get Back To The 20 Most Traffic-Congested Cities In America

[Source: Forbes]

Click Here To Get Back To The 20 Most Traffic-Congested Cities In America

[Source: Forbes]

Click Here To Get Back To The 20 Most Traffic-Congested Cities In America

[Source: Forbes]

Click Here To Get Back To The 20 Most Traffic-Congested Cities In America

[Source: Forbes]

Click Here To Get Back To The 20 Most Traffic-Congested Cities In America

[Source: Forbes]

Click Here To Get Back To The 20 Most Traffic-Congested Cities In America

[Source: Forbes]

Click Here To Get Back To The 20 Most Traffic-Congested Cities In America

[Source: Forbes]

Click Here To Get Back To The 20 Most Traffic-Congested Cities In America