Daily commuting in Barbados has become an exercise in patience as motorists and other road users endure persistent traffic congestion, particularly during peak hours. With more than 180,000 vehicles using the island’s road network, gridlock has become a regular feature of modern travel.
Daily commuting in Barbados has become an exercise in patience as motorists and other road users endure persistent traffic congestion, particularly during peak hours. With more than 180,000 vehicles using the island’s road network, gridlock has become a regular feature of modern travel.
The situation has caused traffic planners to explore all avenues in search of solutions to combat the ubiquitous traffic jams. Welcoming all recommendations, the Ministry of Transport and Works conducted a series of public consultations as recently as early 2026 in a search for traffic management solutions aimed at easing the congestion and improving the efficiency of the transport system.
The chaotic state of affairs inspired research by sustainable development and resilience consultant, Dr. Danielle Evanson. She successfully defended her thesis ‘To Drive or Not to Drive: Scenarios to effectively Fuel a Sustainable Mobility Transition in Barbados by 2030’, to earn a PhD in Natural Resource Management from The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Faculty of Science and Technology in 2025.
Dr. Evanson argued that while Barbados has made notable strides in renewable energy, the transport sector, which is one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, has lagged behind with no clear roadmap for transformation.
Using a combination of public surveys, focus groups, and consultations with transport professionals, she explored how Barbadians travel, what shapes their choices, and what barriers exist to change.
Her findings revealed that reliance on private vehicles is influenced by several factors, including personal preference, unreliable public transport, limited accessibility, as well as safety concerns for pedestrians and cyclists.
Sustainable mobility
These challenges, she noted, are reinforced by social norms and past planning decisions, and have effectively locked the country into a car-based transport system.
“The scenarios demonstrated that for a society so heavily dependent on cars, much deeper changes are needed in land use planning, public transport improvement, and behavioural change beyond switching to electric vehicles.”
According to her, reducing the need for travel and switching to more efficient modes like cycling and buses are just as, if not even more important than moving to cleaner fuels.
Beyond the daily congestion, the rapid rise in vehicle ownership has also put a strain on the existing infrastructure, and the research pointed out that road expansion would increase congestion rather than alleviate it, as driver demand would increase.
Dr. Evanson completed her research in 2024 and the relevance of her work is already evident as its recommendations align with recent national policy developments, including the updated climate commitments and the development of a National Sustainable Mobility Plan.
“Now I am grateful to have the opportunity to lead the Mission Barbados Decarbonisation sub-committee in developing our first national sustainable mobility plan. I am excited that my research is able to contribute to this important work, and I look forward to all of Barbados giving their input to this process and shaping our future transport system.”
Dr. Evanson’s work contributes to academic understanding while also positioning Barbados to move effectively toward a greener and more inclusive transport future.
