HIGHLIGHTS:  A study found there are fewer people commuting around 9:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M. now thanks to flexible work hours.  But the “midday rush hour” is worse than ever.  In some cities, it’s created a situation where there’s basically a mini rush hour all day long.

FULL STORY:  This could be good news or bad news depending on when you head off to work . . .

A study found rush hour is evolving.  There aren’t as many cars on the road pre-9:00 A.M. anymore, because traffic is getting more spaced out.  But in a lot of cities, that means there’s a mini rush hour ALL DAY LONG now.

The report found the “midday rush hour” is worse than ever.  There are almost as many cars on the road at noon as there are at 9:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M.  It’s been the general trend since covid hit and flexible hybrid schedules became a thing.

You’d think spreading it out might mean there’d NEVER be a rush hour.  But another report found public transportation never fully rebounded after the pandemic.  So there are just more cars on the road.

The traffic analyst behind the report said there’s “less of a morning commute, less of an evening commute, and much more afternoon activity” now.  And maybe get used to it.  He called it the “new normal.” 

(CNBC)