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• In the COVID era, it will become ever more important to track activity using alternative datasets. One useful indicator we like to follow is traffic volumes. We’re able to track them through GPS data across most countries.
• In this new daily report, we’ll feature the traffic data for the last seven days with reference to 2019 averages for context. The latest data shows:
○ US, most major European countries, HK and Singapore have seen their traffic collapse as people self-isolate (see web chart and next set of pages)
○ China traffic is more varied – Chongqing is almost back to normal levels, Beijing and Shanghai are at 50% levels (though weekends are very quiet) and Wuhan remains at very low levels
○ Within Europe, German and UK traffic is higher than other European countries
○ Tokyo and Sydney traffic appears to be high too – higher even than Beijing and Shanghai
• Let us know if you would like us to add any more cities
Figure 1: Traffic Intensity Over Last 7 Days
Source: TomTom, Macro Hive
US
Chart 1: New York: Road Congestion Levels
Source: TomTom, Macro Hive
Chart 2: Los Angeles: Road Congestion Levels
Source: TomTom, Macro Hive
Chart 3: Chicago: Road Congestion Levels
Source: TomTom, Macro Hive
Chart 4: Houston: Road Congestion Levels
Source: TomTom, Macro Hive
Chart 5: San Francisco: Road Congestion Levels
Source: TomTom, Macro Hive
China
Chart 6: Wuhan: Road Congestion Levels
Source: TomTom, Macro Hive
Chart 7: Shanghai: Road Congestion Levels
Source: TomTom, Macro Hive
Chart 8: Beijing: Road Congestion Levels
Source: TomTom, Macro Hive
Chart 9: Chongqing: Road Congestion Levels
Source: TomTom, Macro Hive
Chart 10: Shenzhen: Congestion Levels
Source: TomTom, Macro Hive
Japan
Chart 11: Tokyo: Road Congestion Levels
Source: TomTom, Macro Hive
Hong Kong
Chart 12: Hong Kong: Road Congestion Levels
Source: TomTom, Macro Hive
Singapore
Chart 13: Singapore: Road Congestion Levels
Source: TomTom, Macro Hive
Germany
Chart 14: Berlin: Road Congestion Levels
Source: TomTom, Macro Hive
Chart 15: Munich: Road Congestion Levels
Source: TomTom, Macro Hive
Chart 16: Frankfurt: Road Congestion Levels
Source: TomTom, Macro Hive
France
Chart 17: Paris: Road Congestion Levels
Source: TomTom, Macro Hive
Chart 18: Lyon: Road Congestion Levels
Source: TomTom, Macro Hive
UK
Chart 19: London: Road Congestion Levels
Source: TomTom, Macro Hive
Chart 20: Birmingham: Road Congestion Levels
Source: TomTom, Macro Hive
Chart 21: Glasgow: Road Congestion Levels
Source: TomTom, Macro Hive
Italy
Chart 22: Milan: Road Congestion Levels
Source: TomTom, Macro Hive
Chart 23: Rome: Road Congestion Levels
Source: TomTom, Macro Hive
Spain
Chart 24: Madrid: Road Congestion Levels
Source: TomTom, Macro Hive
Chart 25: Barcelona: Road Congestion Levels
Source: TomTom, Macro Hive
Sweden
Chart 26: Stockholm: Road Congestion Levels
Source: TomTom, Macro Hive
Norway
Chart 27: Oslo: Road Congestion Levels
Source: TomTom, Macro Hive
Australia
Chart 28: Sydney: Road Congestion Levels
Source: TomTom, Macro Hive
New Zealand
Chart 29: Auckland: Road Congestion Levels
Source: TomTom, Macro Hive
Bilal Hafeez is the CEO and Editor of Macro Hive. He spent over twenty years doing research at big banks – JPMorgan, Deutsche Bank, and Nomura, where he had various “Global Head” roles and did FX, rates and cross-markets research.
(The commentary contained in the above article does not constitute an offer or a solicitation, or a recommendation to implement or liquidate an investment or to carry out any other transaction. It should not be used as a basis for any investment decision or other decision. Any investment decision should be based on appropriate professional advice specific to your needs.)