Hyderabad residents lose 198 hours of sleep a year

HYDERABAD: Traffic congestion during peak hours and rising night-time temperatures are costing Hyderabad residents about 198 hours of sleep every year, according to findings cited from the TomTom Traffic Index and a study by US-based Climate Central.

Traffic congestion accounts for 123 hours of lost sleep a year, while higher night-time temperatures account for another 75 hours.

The findings highlight two urban factors beyond personal problems, mental health conditions and illness that are increasingly affecting sleep in metropolitan cities.

Traffic restrictions extended at Vaishali Nagar Railway Underpass till October 14

Peak-hour traffic costs residents 123 hours a year

Traffic on city roads is heavier in the morning and evening than during other periods. These periods are commonly referred to as peak hours. The TomTom report found that evening traffic is heavier than morning congestion.

A city resident loses about 123 hours a year because of traffic congestion during peak hours — equivalent to nearly five additional days spent on the road.

According to the TomTom report, Hyderabad recorded a traffic congestion level of 55.5%. The Netherlands-based technology company publishes an annual report under its Traffic Index. Its survey covered 500 cities across 62 countries in Asia, Europe, South America, North America and Australia.

Evening commute takes longer, cutting into sleep

A 10-km journey in Hyderabad takes an average of 32.37 minutes under normal conditions. During the evening peak, the average journey time rises to 38.5 minutes as vehicle speeds fall.

Hyderabad has more than 80 lakh vehicles, while public transport has not received the same level of preference, the copy said. The average speed of vehicles in the city, which should ideally be around 25-30 kmph, is currently about 15 kmph. During evening peak hours, it falls to around 10 kmph.

The longer commuting time leaves residents with less time to sleep at night.

Rising night temperatures cost 75 hours of sleep

Even after reaching home after a long commute, rising night-time temperatures are making it harder for city residents to sleep. Climate Central, a US-based organisation, found that Hyderabad residents lose about 75 hours of sleep a year because of warmer nights.

The study covered 1,338 cities worldwide.

Concrete buildings and tar roads absorb heat during the day and release it slowly after sunset, preventing temperatures from falling quickly at night, according to the study.

Among the cities listed in the report, Warangal records a higher annual loss of sleep from rising temperatures than Hyderabad, at 82 hours.