MCO: Waze data reveals stunning drop in road traffic

MCO: Waze data reveals stunning drop in road traffic

With the movement control order (MCO) in place, it’s not surprising to know that there are significantly less cars on the road. But have you ever wondered just how significant the reduction is like?

According to data collected by Waze, Malaysian users are driving 80% fewer kilometres during this MCO period compared to the daily average in February (based on a two-week period from February 11 to 25). In contrast, Waze users globally are driving 60% fewer kilometres in the same two-week period.

Based on the graph below, a huge spike was observed on March 17 (a day before the first phase of the MCO came into effect) as people journeyed home. Some also drove out to stock up on essentials. On March 18, the graph nosedived, showing that Waze users have at least halved their travelling distance.


Click to enlarge

Over the ensuing days, the percentage quickly dropped to 80% before plateauing around 80% to 90%. In Italy, one of the worst hit countries ravaged by the Covid-19 disease, has caused driving to drop by over 90%.

In doing its bid to help, Waze has activated its community and network of partners across its Volunteer Communities, Waze for Cities programmes, and more, to support crisis response. Waze also launched a Covid-19 Landing Page, urging governments around toe world to contribute data on medical testing centres and emergency food distribution centres to help improve its maps for users.

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Matthew H Tong

An ardent believer that fun cars need not be fast and fast cars may not always be fun. Matt advocates the purity and simplicity of manually swapping cogs while coping in silence of its impending doom. Matt's not hot. Never hot.

 

Comments

  • Why So Serious on Apr 16, 2020 at 11:50 am

    Wha..? A 3 year old can tell you that! What’s the point of this article?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 0
  • Fudgemesideways on Apr 16, 2020 at 12:01 pm

    Water is wet.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
  • vivizurianti on Apr 16, 2020 at 12:34 pm

    Syukur x1000….with less traffic, air quality improved. Ppl staying next to mainroad sides would enjoy more peace and quiet.

    Now, if only ppl can go out for fresh air and exercise……Oh wait, duduk rumah….

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
  • heybadigol (Member) on Apr 16, 2020 at 2:53 pm

    Its probably because Malaysians drive a lot on normal days. Hence why the reduction is 80% compared to other countries, which reduce on average 60%. Having said that, still see car Youtubers, especially American ones, still driving around. At least UK ones seem to be cutting down non essential driving. Also, not all countries started lockdown and MCO at the same time. Think UK started a bit later than Malaysia. Once we see more April data, then it will make more sense, as by then almost the entire world has been on lockdown or something like that.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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