The Power Broker #6: Mike Schur
99% Invisible
More Bridges, More Problems
The construction of new parkways and bridges to alleviate traffic issues in New York City revealed a consistent pattern where the new infrastructure initially eased traffic for a short period, only to worsen the congestion over time. This phenomenon highlighted the concept of induced demand in urban planning, where adding more lanes or bridges does not solve traffic problems but rather attracts more vehicles, perpetuating the need for further infrastructure expansion. This insight challenges the traditional assumption that building more bridges and roads would disperse traffic and underscores the principle that urban design actions can inadvertently generate more demand for transportation.
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