Eli5: it’s said that creating larger highways doesn’t increase traffic flow because people who weren’t using it before will start. But isn’t that still a net gain?

Question

If people are being diverted from side streets to the highway because the highway is now wider, then that means side streets are cleared up. Not to mention the people who were taking side streets can now enjoy a quicker commute on the highway

In: Engineering

Answer 1

The convenience of singing is not the difference, it is the time.

Eg. If people are willing to drive 40 minutes to work and then you make a fast highway, they can then drive faster and live further away.

That’s the same for any journey. So it isn’t just more people on the roads, it is also the same people travelling further.