Statistical Evaluation of Traffic Congestion, Accidents, and Pollution on S.G. Highway, Ahmedabad

Rapid urbanization and increasing vehicle ownership have significantly strained Ahmedabad’s transportation infrastructure, particularly along the Sarkhej–Gandhinagar (S.G.) Highway—one of the city’s most vital arterial corridors. This study presents a comprehensive statistical evaluation of traffic congestion, accident patterns, environmental impact, public transport usage, and commuter perception along this route. A mixed-methods research design was employed, integrating primary data (manual vehicle counts, Air Quality Index [AQI], noise level measurements, and structured surveys) with secondary data sourced from government records and news reports. Quantitative analysis was conducted using Microsoft Excel and Jamovi, applying t-tests, ANOVA, chi-square tests, and Pearson correlation to uncover statistically significant patterns and associations. Key findings indicate that weekday peak-hour traffic volume is significantly higher than on weekends, with intersections such as Somnath Chowk and Thaltej consistently experiencing the highest congestion. A strong positive correlation was found between traffic volume and both AQI and noise levels, underscoring severe environmental concerns. Survey results revealed that over 75% of respondents experience daily congestion, largely due to vehicle overflow and commercial-area crowding. While public dissatisfaction was high, chi-square tests showed no significant association between demographic variables (age, gender, occupation) and transport mode preference or congestion impact, suggesting the issue is widespread. The study concludes with recommendations for optimizing signal timings, expanding public transport infrastructure, enforcing pollution controls, and addressing accident-prone zones through engineering interventions. By offering a data-driven and multidimensional understanding of traffic behavior, this research provides actionable insights for urban planners, traffic authorities, and policymakers aiming to improve mobility, safety, and environmental sustainability along the S.G. Highway.