Recurrent congestion in urban areas costs Canadians between $2.3 billion and $3.7 billion per year (in 2002 dollar values), according to a new study. More than 90% of this cost is associated with the time lost in traffic to drivers and passengers; 7% occurs because of fuel consumed; and 3% is from increased greenhouse gas emissions. The study, "The Cost of Urban Congestion in Canada", commissioned by Transport Canada (TC), examined Canada's nine largest urban areas including Quebec City, Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver. TC commissioned the study in 2002 as a long-term project to better understand the nature and extent of congestion in Canada and to develop a consistent approach to estimating related costs. To obtain a summary and backgrounder on the study please visit www.tc.gc.ca/programs/Environment/EconomicAnalysis/menu.htm or call Cristobal Miller at (613) 991-6409.