traffic delay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "traffic delay" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where vehicles are slowed down or stopped due to various reasons such as accidents, road work, or congestion. Example: "Due to a traffic delay caused by an accident on the highway, I arrived late to the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

This is my sacred time and I don't mind the occassional traffic delay.

University of California, Berkeley

Theft-related blackouts idle businesses, snarl traffic, delay trains and rob the power companies of revenue.

The New York Times

Overloaded intersections cause lots of noise and pollution, and are a big cause of traffic delay.

The Economist

The traffic delay was one of the few times that fast-paced Memphis has been slowed this season.

The New York Times

In addition, we further consider end-to-end traffic delay requirements since the optimization of link weights for load-balancing and energy savings may introduce substantially increased traffic delay after link sleeping.

Computer Communications

In this paper, two methods to configure adaptive PDC wait time based on recent PMU traffic delay patterns are proposed.

Electric Power Systems Research

Secondary crash (SC) occurrences are major contributors to traffic delay and reduced safety, particularly in urban areas.

Accident Analysis & Prevention

However, there was little evidence for a consistent distinction between the early (challenge) and late (threat) introduction of traffic delay.

International Journal of Psychophysiology

From our perspective, the traffic delay and rerouting of pilgrims via the new Stonehenge visitor centre which opened last December, make the stones less accessible.

The Guardian - Opinion

The researchers collected their baseline data before and after the car-pooling policy was removed, using traffic delay – the minutes per kilometre someone must wait – as their metric.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"Our thematic is going to be — you're going to love this — that if you have an air-traffic delay that's not caused by weather, take the extra time at the airport and call your two senators and your congressman and demand they pass the modernization act," Gingrich enthused.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting a "traffic delay", provide specific details like the location, estimated duration, and cause, if known. This helps in giving a more comprehensive and useful message to the audience.

Common error

Avoid using "traffic delay" when you actually mean a "detour". A delay is a temporary setback, while a detour is a rerouting around a blocked area. Choose the term that accurately describes the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "traffic delay" primarily functions as a noun phrase. It names a specific situation or problem related to transportation. Ludwig's examples show its use in describing causes and effects of disruptions in traffic flow.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

44%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "traffic delay" is a common noun phrase used to describe situations where traffic flow is slowed or stopped. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts. It appears most frequently in scientific and news media sources, with a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication. When using the phrase, providing specific details is crucial, and it's important to distinguish it from related terms like "detour" to ensure accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

traffic congestion

Focuses more on the state of crowded roads.

traffic holdup

Informal way to describe traffic being stopped or delayed.

road closure

Indicates a complete blockage of traffic.

vehicle backup

Emphasizes the line of vehicles waiting.

travel disruption

A broader term including various impediments to travel.

gridlock

Implies a severe and extensive traffic jam.

commute interruption

Focuses on the effect on daily travel.

route impediment

More formal and general term for something blocking a route.

flow obstruction

Emphasizes the blockage of normal traffic flow.

transportation slowdown

Indicates a decrease in the speed of transportation.

FAQs

How can I use "traffic delay" in a sentence?

You can use "traffic delay" to describe a situation where vehicles are slowed down or stopped. For example, "Due to a "traffic delay" caused by an accident on the highway, I arrived late to the meeting."

What are some alternatives to "traffic delay"?

Alternatives include "traffic congestion", "road closure", or "vehicle backup", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "a traffic delay" or "the traffic delay"?

Both are correct depending on the context. "A traffic delay" refers to a single instance of a delay, while "the traffic delay" refers to a specific delay that has already been mentioned or is otherwise understood.

What's the difference between "traffic delay" and "traffic congestion"?

"Traffic delay" implies a slowing or stopping of traffic, while "traffic congestion" refers to the state of roads being crowded with vehicles. A "traffic delay" can cause congestion, and congestion can cause delays.