Ningbo: A new first-tier city with smooth traffic

A view of Ningbo, Zhejiang province. [Photo/cnnb.com.cn]

Despite its population reaching 9.77 million in 2024, Ningbo remains one of China's least congested major cities. According to Baidu Maps' 2024 Annual China Urban Traffic Report, Ningbo ranks 66th in peak-hour congestion, retaining its position as the least congested new first-tier city.

In 2024, Ningbo's average commute time was 28.61 minutes, ranking 58th among the top 100 cities in the country, 2.05 minutes shorter than in 2023, and down three places in the ranking.

Ningbo has implemented smart signal optimization and expanded its green wave system, enabling smoother commutes. According to the report, Ningbo ranked 10th nationwide in the 2024 Traffic Light Commuting Satisfaction List among major cities in China.

Notably, Ningbo's green wave corridor ratio—defined as the percentage of main roads with at least four consecutive intersections having a green light pass rate above 20 percent—reached 12.02 percent, placing it 9th among major cities. This provides smoother journeys with fewer stops at red lights.

Additionally, Ningbo's traffic signal optimization center, established in 2021, has fine-tuned over 1,900 intersections to shorten wait times at traffic lights. By late 2024, 315 green wave corridors spanning 835.7 kilometers had been developed, streamlining urban traffic flow.

To further reduce congestion, Ningbo has extended Metro Line 4 and plans to launch Lines 7 and 8, alongside new bus routes.