CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- A two-year traffic study, compiled by retired UNC Charlotte professor David Hartgen, finds traffic in Charlotte could be as congested as traffic in Los Angeles in 20 years.

The study suggests improving the road system in Charlotte could bring in an extra $22 billion a year to the area, by making families and businesses operate more efficiently.

"Every minute you spend in traffic is a minute you'd prefer to be spending doing something else," said Hartgen.

His solution includes synchronizing traffic lights, making more left hand turn lanes and removing bottlenecks on interstates.

Hartgen also said city leaders should focus on improving congestion in certain geographic areas like the UNC-Charlotte campus, Concord Mills, Charlotte-Douglas Airport, and suburbs like Fort Mill, S.C.

The Charlotte Department of Transportation said the report has valid points, but a tight budget makes it difficult to address all of the road projects.

"Certainly over time our congestion will get worse unless we find a funding source to alleviate that," said CDOT director Danny Pleasant.

Hartgen said the city's priority right now should be to finish construction of I-485.