The European Conference of Ministers of Transport (ECMT) began its two-day annual meeting, dedicated this year to congestion issues, in Sofia on Wednesday.
Bulgaria holds the rotating presidency of ECMT and, as such, is hosting the event that will gather ministers from 44 full and eight associate members.
Traffic congestion in all its forms is responsible for losses that reach up to 1% of gross domestic product in some of the more congested countries, according to ECMT data.
As traffic, car ownership and trade expand, congestion is worsening, since capacity growth severely lags behind.
Congestion costs could triple in the next twenty years, according to the organisation's forecasts, unless resolute and concerted action is taken.