The usual ‘solution’ to a congested road network is to widen
roads or build more freeways. However, it has been proven that building more
road space does not relieve congestion in the long term. It just encourages
longer or extra trips, with demand for even more roads, or induced demand.
Building lots of roads makes cities bland and alienating, and difficult to walk,
bike or take PT in, unfair to people who can’t or don’t drive. Also, the amount
of roads needed to satisfy every possible travel need is impractical, consuming
large amounts of land, and, unbelievably expensive
On the other hand investment in public transport or active
transport (walking and biking) are cheaper and carry more passengers than road
investments. They also take up less land and are future-proof; they not only
can cater for population growth but will stay useful with global warming and
peak oil.
In conclusion, building lots of roads will not solve congestion
problems, which reminds me of a good quote by Orlando, Florida traffic engineer
Walter Kulash, “Widening roads to solve traffic congestion is like loosening
your belt to cure obesity”. If drivers want more roads
then at the very least they should pay for them.
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