Metro Ranked in Top 50 Worst Traffic Delayed Cities

By Amy Lester, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- According to a new study, many people are hitting traffic throughout the metro. Oklahoma City ranks 46 in the country when it comes to traffic delays in urban areas.

People who drive in the metro expect Oklahoma City to be a lot lower on the list, though most think the traffic is troublesome.

"I think it's manageable. I don't usually have any trouble," said driver Debbie Neal.

"Compared to everywhere else, I think traffic in Oklahoma City is very, very mild," said Jeremy Halferty, a metro resident.

Some do admit they run into an occasional hassle on the highway.

"Morning traffic is bad other than that it flows pretty well throughout the city," said driver Gary Copeland.

Overall, drivers can't believe Oklahoma City ranked so high for traffic delays. The study also points out, people who drive in Oklahoma City waste 27 hours a year and 17 gallons of fuel in traffic.

"We're a far cry from having a real crisis on our hands," said Assistant City Engineer Laura Story.

Laura Story said Oklahoma City does far better than other areas. To improve our situation, Story believes the timing of street signals and public transportation are key.

"Right now we're not at a tipping scale or a tipping point that is a crisis for us, we do want to heed the information and use it wisely," Story said.

The city doesn't have to move too fast, the lack of traffic is already one of Oklahoma City's major selling points.

"I think that's one reason people live here. I just don't have any problem," said Neal.

The study was done by the Texas Transportation Institute. They looked at statistics for more than 400 urban areas from the 1980's until now.

Read the full report on urban mobility and traffic delays throughout the nation.