The traffic is so bad here that I don't want to drive between 4-7 p.m. Do you live in that type of area?

Question

The problem here really isn't the volume of traffic. I mean, it's heavy but it is not the worst in the nation. But the roads are all one lane and around rush hour the people flood the streets with cars. Hundreds backed up at stoplights. Waves and waves of cars. Poor road planning I think. The roads were never widened to handle this type of situation. This is in suburban Chicago.

Answer 1

I visited the suburbs of Chicago in February and saw the TRAFFIC.  I thought it was caused by people avoiding the toll roads.

I live in Southern California which has FREEways (and a couple of toll roads).  Thankfully there has been a lot of lanes added to the freeways and side streets in the last 10 years...and is still ongoing.

Employers have offered a wide variety of work schedules to help with the traffic situation.  At my work there are starting times of 6, 7, 7:30, 8, 9 and 10 AM.  Most work 8 hours and some have a lunch break.  

Because of the rise in gasoline (currently 3.79 to $4.05)  more people are car and van pooling.  Which helps with the congestion.

My department is talking about working a 9/80 schedule.  Meaning working an hour later, but having a day off every other week.  I don't want to give up my 3 PM off time.  The traffic is so much lighter at than at 4.