Topic: Traffic
‘Bursting at the seams’: Cayman has outgrown its infrastructure
From the cargo port and the landfill to the airport and the energy grid, Cayman has outgrown its infrastructure and is facing a bill that could run to billions of dollars to catch up.
Government moving ahead with speed cameras
Government has taken the next step towards speed cameras and demerit points for traffic offences by seeking consultants to help implement a new Integrated Traffic Management and Enforcement System (ITMES) for the Cayman Islands.
Cayman reckons with mounting pedestrian collisions, some fatal
Two fatal pedestrian crashes within weeks of each other have intensified concern over pedestrian safety on Cayman’s busiest roads.
Six-mile solar canopy could help supply Cayman’s energy needs
Adding a solar canopy over a bike lane alongside the extended East–West Arterial highway would help solve Cayman’s energy problems and magnify the benefits of the road, according to analysis from environmental engineers.
Manifesto watch: Parties promise public transport, but who can deliver?
In the first of our six-part series on key election issues, we look at what the main contenders for government are promising on traffic and transport.
Can cameras curb Cayman’s need for speed?
What travels at over 90mph but hasn’t made any progress in decades? It sounds like the set-up to a joke, but the answer – Cayman’s speeding problem – is no laughing matter.
10 minutes on a Cayman road: Dangerously high speeds and missed revenue
Our 10-minute period of filming in West Bay would have raised $11,260 in revenue if each speeding driver had been fined.
Traffic survey: Most parents support school bus services
Nearly three-quarters of Cayman parents believe schools should provide transportation for students, according to a new survey by the Ministry of Transport.
Central George Town to see road closures this weekend
Drivers are being advised to avoid the centre of George Town this weekend due to temporary road closures that are likely to lead to...
MPs vote for stricter traffic rules and clampdown on phone use
MPs voted unanimously on Wednesday to improve Cayman's poor traffic safety record by passing a traffic bill to introduce a range of measures.
‘Hell on wheels’: Lawmakers support reducing speed limits
Cayman's legislators have unanimously voted for government to consider reducing speed limits and increasing traffic fines in a bid to curb rising road fatalities and daily collisions.
Frustrated residents address safety and housing issues after fatal stabbing
Windsor Park residents vocalised their frustrations with tenement yards and 'slum living', traffic woes and a never-ending fight against illegal parking to senior police...
Cayman turns to Bermuda for public transport insight
As Cayman's traffic woes continue, a UK duo tasked with charting a new course for public transport have turned to sister overseas territory Bermuda for insight.
Time to get rid of Grand Harbour roundabout?
A multi-million-dollar package of new roads, roundabout layouts and traffic signals is needed to prevent total gridlock on the main commuter route into George Town, according to a new report.
Beach Bay accident causes day of traffic gridlock
Motorists were caught in hour-long tailbacks Saturday after a crash close to Beach Bay left a large section of Shamrock Road closed for the entire day.
School-bus debate stuck in park as traffic chaos returns
While the new school term is one of excitement for students and teachers alike, the ensuing gridlock that accompanies the start of a new academic year is a nightmare for thousands of motorists.
Ebanks vows action on excessive speeding in Red Bay and Prospect
Infrastructure Minister Jay Ebanks has vowed to rally his National Road Authority troops to tour the Red Bay and Prospect constituencies this week in a bid to address speeding concerns.
Opposition to press gov’t on ReGen project status
When Parliament resumes sittings next week, government will face a barrage of Opposition questions, the most pressing being the status of the ReGen project and its financial close.
Future leaders say public transport overhaul will solve ‘traffic crisis’
Cayman’s young people want a “safe, reliable, clean, cost effective” public transport system featuring large, modern, regular buses and indented bus stops - but no more new roads.
Which way now: How will highway plan impact Cayman?
The Compass takes an in-depth look at some of the issues surrounding the planned extension of the East-West Arterial Highway and its likely impact on traffic, the environment and development.
Another 8,000 cars joined Cayman’s traffic jams in 2022
More than 8,000 additional vehicles were licensed to drive on Cayman’s roads last year, an increase of 22%, that pushed traffic jams to record levels.
Analyst: Public buses just one piece of traffic solution
A sustainable transport plan for Grand Cayman must consider all possible modes of mobility - from walking and biking to mass transit and sea ferries.
‘Serial traffic offender’ jailed for fake insurance documents
An aspiring lawyer, described as a ‘serial traffic offender’, has been jailed for 90 days for forging insurance documents.
Issues 2023: Ten top themes to watch over the year ahead
Cayman Compass issues editor James Whittaker looks at some of the key challenges, themes and opportunities facing the islands in the year ahead.
From mopeds to monorails: 12 ideas to fix Cayman’s traffic mayhem
With Cayman's traffic mayhem hitting the headlines again, we examine 12 of the most talked about solutions to one of the island's perennial problems.
Poll: What should be done to fix traffic in Cayman?
Traffic in Cayman came to a standstill last week with the closure of streets in George Town on Friday for Pirates Fest activities. What is the solution to the worsening gridlock gripping the island?
Police staffer on trial for alleged breaching of public’s trust after ‘road rage’
A police support staff member is on trial for allegedly breaching the public's trust by using the police database to access sensitive information, to track down and confront a driver following a bout of early morning 'road rage'.
More cars than ever on school commutes
It’s the beginning of the new school year, and the increase in activity in Cayman Islands classrooms is only matched (almost) by the increase in roadway traffic during morning and afternoon commutes.
Editorial: If building roads can’t resolve the traffic problem long term, why is it...
It’s time to stop solving old problems with outdated solutions. Roads can only ever be a single ingredient in the recipe for remedying what is essentially a transport and planning problem.
Cayman Ferries suspends Newlands water taxi service
Cayman Ferries has suspended its commuter water taxi service from Newlands to Camana Bay temporarily.
The future of rush hour: The story in data
As Grand Cayman’s population continues to increase, the island’s traffic problems are unlikely to go away.
Thinking outside the lanes: Other ideas to beat traffic
While the NRA’s remit is largely road building, the agency had put forward a number of other ideas, based on its research that could be considered to impact traffic.
Think traffic is bad now? Imagine rush hour 2036
Commutes from North Side to George Town could clock in at well over two hours within a decade without extensive upgrades to the road network, National Roads Authority data suggests.
The parent trip: Lack of options forces children to rely on parents’ cars
A group of students from Cayman International School is delving into the island’s traffic problems.
We need to solve our traffic issues
As we all know, Cayman has too many vehicles on its roads. I have written about setting new speed limits to include kilometres per...
Getting traffic under control
Ideas put forward to solve the alarming issue of traffic congestion in Cayman at the moment make interesting reading. Indeed, the decision as to...
Buses stuck in park as ‘red tape’ holds up driver recruitment
Do you know the name of Cayman’s first financial secretary, the colour of the underside of a parrot’s wings in flight or the distance in miles between George Town and Miami? If the answer is no, then you might not want to apply for a job as a bus driver in the Cayman Islands.
Special report: Rethinking Rush Hour
Traffic is a climate problem, a quality of life problem, a resource drain and a catalyst for development. In a special report, the Compass, examines one of the island's most persistent issues.
Opinion: Congestion charges could change commuter habits
Guest columnist Julian Morris argues that charging to use the roads during peak times could be one of the only ways to make a serious impact on traffic in Cayman.
Sustainable Cayman seeks rethink of road building plans
As the Cayman Islands looks for solutions to escalating traffic challenges, Sustainable Cayman is urging government to prioritise quality of life and environmental protection.
Motorists face congestion as cruise ship returns
Traffic congestion built up along Seafarers Way on Monday morning Cayman saw the return of its first cruise ship in two years.
Public transport reform planned as traffic woes mount
With rush-hour gridlock paralysing Grand Cayman’s roads, government is taking the first steps towards creating a comprehensive public transport system on the island.
As traffic woes mount, NRA plans for environmental study of highway extension
An environmental impact assessment on the final stages of the East-West Arterial highway is expected 'soon', according to National Roads Authority managing director Edward Howard.
Premier: New local access road to relieve Red Bay traffic woes
Premier Alden McLaughlin has said agreement has been reached with Grand Harbour and Davenport Development for a local access road for the Red Bay and Prospect communities to ease traffic woes in the area.
Police vehicles involved in crash
The RCIPS Traffic and Roads Policing Unit launched an investigation Wednesday after two police vehicles were involved in a collision.
Interactive: From sewers and sub-sea cables to prisons and power generation
In a series of stories, journalist James Whittaker takes a look at how population growth affects every aspect of infrastructure in the Cayman Islands.
Destination 100,000: Will Cayman’s growth continue post COVID-19?
COVID-19 may have caused a dip in Cayman's population but the long-term trajectory of the island is one of exponential growth. In a special feature we look at the benefits and the challenges of such rapid growth and ask whether the upward curve will resume in the post COVID-19 world.
UPDATE: Shamrock Road reopens following crash
The eastbound lanes of Shamrock Road have been closed near the Hurley's roundabout following a traffic accident in the area.
Sinkhole appears on South Sound Road
A sinkhole has opened up on South Sound Road, in the vicinity of the Rugby Club grounds.
Traffic gridlock as historic blaze closes highway
Traffic ground to a standstill Monday morning as the landfill fire caused the closure of a large section of the Esterley Tibbetts Highway.
The Great Rush Hour Race
Four commuters, four different modes of transport, two routes, one race. Car vs. bike, kayak vs. bus. To conclude our month-long series investigating causes of, and potential solutions to, the island’s traffic troubles, we wanted to challenge the assumption that the car is still the best way to travel in Cayman. So we put it to the test in a rush-hour race.
Electric rides help commuters dodge traffic
From electric scooters to one-wheel e-skateboards, new types of battery powered vehicles are helping a growing number of commuters dodge the traffic.
Planning to improve traffic flow
As Cayman looks to update its Development Plan for the first time in more than two decades, managing traffic has moved up the list of priorities.
New app for bus passengers
A new smartphone app is making it possible for some passengers to check the location of their bus. Set up by a group of public transport drivers, the K-Bus app has been launched, initially with nine buses.
Bike-share business popular with tourists
Opposite the Westin hotel on West Bay Road, a couple unloads groceries and beach towels from the basket of a distinctive green-and-white bicycle.
The car that rents by the minute…
In the plush interior of the Arch Automotive showroom in Camana Bay, I push a button on my smartphone and a map lights up with four ‘Zun’ icons, indicating the location of available vehicles.
Flex close to liftoff, despite challenges
When two young Caymanian entrepreneurs set up transport app, Flex, their vision was to bring an Uber-style service to the Caribbean.
Stuck in traffic? There’s an app for that
At one of Cayman’s biggest businesses, the conversation about congestion is going beyond talk. Dart’s internal innovation unit, known as Dart Labs, is road testing solutions.
Developer aims to cut traffic by cutting journeys
Cayman’s traffic congestion woes are as much about where people live and work as they are about the number of cars they own.
Driving standards a ‘deep concern’
When asked about the driving standards in Cayman I always ask what the questioner personally believes. I have yet to receive a positive response. It is always one of deep concern.
Would Cayman ditch private cars for the bus?
Government is considering bigger buses and new routes as it seeks to improve public transport and encourage people to leave their cars behind, says Rosa Harris, chair of the Public Transport Board.
Almost 400 bus complaints in 2019
There were nearly 400 complaints filed with the Public Transport Board in 2019 – the vast majority of them concerning bus drivers who failed to follow their set routes.
Taxi fares more transparent, but still expensive
A local taxi fare app, CI:GO, now allows riders to calculate cab prices before they buckle up.
The app, launched in August 2019, answered public...
Virtual highways: How smart data is shaping Cayman’s future road network
The National Roads Authority is using a new $50,000 traffic modelling software suite to test the impact of road projects in the virtual world before it starts pouring concrete. The simulator is helping make the case for a series of "quick win" projects at pinch points in and around George Town. Longer term it could be used to test the viability of everything from public transport to flyovers and causeways across the North Sound.
Road projects focus on quick wins
The National Roads Authority is focussing on five main projects over the next two years.
With just over $40 million in the budget, engineers are already at work on what they believe will be ‘quick wins’ when it comes to cutting traffic congestion. Sophisticated software has been used to build the roads in the virtual world prior to construction to assess their likely impact.
A tale of two territories: How Bermuda deals with traffic
As policymakers in Cayman seek to find solutions to growing congestion on the roads, they could do worse than looking 1,300 miles to the north, to Bermuda.
Green groups urge caution on road building
Environmental groups are calling for sustainable solutions to Cayman’s traffic problems.
Both the National Trust and Sustainable Cayman have cautioned against building new lanes and extending highways to deal with the problem.
‘Traffic a top business concern’
Lost time is lost money and Cayman's business sector is feeling the impact of all those hours wasted in traffic. The Compass talked to Chamber of Commerce CEO to get the group's verdict on the issue.
‘Airport transfers can take an hour’
Traffic is impacting more than just commuters, it is causing issues for tourists too. Cayman Islands Tourism Association president Theresa Leacock-Broderick talked to the Compass about the problem and some potential solutions.
One commuter’s experiment – tracking time lost to traffic
How much time does the average Cayman commuter waste in traffic? It’s a question many of us have plenty of time to ponder on the long, slow drive into George Town. Compass journalist James Whittaker tracked his own commute as part of an experiment to see how we might rank globally in terms of time lost in traffic.
Innovation could change the way we move
Columnist Graham Morse imagines how embracing cutting edge technology could change the way we move.
Five ways the world fights traffic congestion
Five approaches that have been tried around the world and how they fared.
