For critics of widening projects, the prime example of induced demand is the Katy Freeway in Houston, one of the widest highways in the world with 26 lanes.
Immediately after Katy’s last expansion, in 2008, the project was hailed as a success. But within five years, peak hour travel times on the freeway were longer than before the expansion.
Matt Turner, an economics professor at Brown University and co-author of the 2009 study on congestion, said adding lanes is a fine solution if the goal is to get more cars on the road. But most highway expansion projects, including those in progress in Texas, cite reducing traffic as a primary goal.
“If you keep adding lanes because you want to reduce traffic congestion, you have to be really determined not to learn from history,” Dr. Turner said.
This is completely backwards. Increasing population density means people can afford to live closer to work & resources. Low density means they have to drive 50 miles a day to get anywhere, and thus need more lanes.
Think about this…ever been to a large sporting event in a huge arena? Think of a sold out NFL game. The stadiums are designed to get people in and out quickly. Lots of people in a out quickly.
It’s a fucking disaster, every game, every time.
Now imagine doing that daily just to get to work. That’s what you’re proposing here.