“The phenomenon is known as induced demand. The result is an endless cycle in which congestion leads to highway expansion, which invites more trips, which brings back traffic…The pattern is so inevitable that economists have dubbed it the iron law of congestion.” #InducedTraffic
It’s an American Obsession. It’s Based on a Total Lie. We Have to Stop Before It’s Too Late.
The truth about what's happening on America's roads—and how we can stop it.
slate.com
December 17, 2025 at 4:34 AM
“The phenomenon is known as induced demand. The result is an endless cycle in which congestion leads to highway expansion, which invites more trips, which brings back traffic…The pattern is so inevitable that economists have dubbed it the iron law of congestion.” #InducedTraffic
Attention cities & states — remember this as you reconsider EVERY single massively expensive freeway and road widening project you’ve been working on for years, but very likely need to cancel in light of the #CimateEmergency, and the fact that they don’t actually work. #inducedTraffic #ClimateCrisis
January 11, 2025 at 6:05 AM
Attention cities & states — remember this as you reconsider EVERY single massively expensive freeway and road widening project you’ve been working on for years, but very likely need to cancel in light of the #CimateEmergency, and the fact that they don’t actually work. #inducedTraffic #ClimateCrisis
Utrecht has finalised plans for a new cycle route around the north of its city centre — a bypass for what’s now the busiest bikeway in the Netherlands.
I explore the background, history, local concerns, and the city’s next steps in my latest blog post/video.
I explore the background, history, local concerns, and the city’s next steps in my latest blog post/video.
Utrecht’s Northern Cycle Route: Easing the Pressure on the Historic Centre
Utrecht is planning a new high-quality cycling route, known as the Fietsroute om de Noord—literally the “Cycle Route around the North”. This new corridor is intended to relieve pressure on the city’s existing east-west cycle route, which runs straight through the historic city centre. Ironically, the current alignment was once widened specifically for car traffic. Beginning in the 1920s and continuing into the 1980s, entire rows of historic buildings were demolished to make space for cars.
bicycledutch.wordpress.com
July 17, 2025 at 11:31 AM
New from @flurfdesign.bsky.social "Many people think that the solution to traffic is adding more lanes and building more roads (as well as self-driving cars), but #InducedDemand shows that adding more capacity only makes traffic even worse in the long run"
#inducedtraffic #motonormativity #urbanism
#inducedtraffic #motonormativity #urbanism
The Biggest Myth About Fixing Traffic
YouTube video by flurfdesign
youtu.be
September 21, 2026 at 3:29 AM
New from @flurfdesign.bsky.social "Many people think that the solution to traffic is adding more lanes and building more roads (as well as self-driving cars), but #InducedDemand shows that adding more capacity only makes traffic even worse in the long run"
#inducedtraffic #motonormativity #urbanism
#inducedtraffic #motonormativity #urbanism
The State spent a billion Euro widening the M50 between 2006 and 2010.
By 2014, inevitably, traffic congestion had rebounded, to the extent that questions were once again being asked in the Dáil about *further* "upgrades to the road network".
There is nothing smart about #InducedTraffic.
By 2014, inevitably, traffic congestion had rebounded, to the extent that questions were once again being asked in the Dáil about *further* "upgrades to the road network".
There is nothing smart about #InducedTraffic.
The State has the financial capacity to take a more ambitious approach.
#BuildSmart
#BuildSmart
May 9, 2026 at 8:04 PM
The State spent a billion Euro widening the M50 between 2006 and 2010.
By 2014, inevitably, traffic congestion had rebounded, to the extent that questions were once again being asked in the Dáil about *further* "upgrades to the road network".
There is nothing smart about #InducedTraffic.
By 2014, inevitably, traffic congestion had rebounded, to the extent that questions were once again being asked in the Dáil about *further* "upgrades to the road network".
There is nothing smart about #InducedTraffic.
“We found there’s this perfect one-to-one relationship. If a city increased its road capacity by 10% then driving went up by 10%.” Still one of the best articles on why building bigger roads leads to more driving. Understanding “The Unbreakabke Law Of Congestion” aka #InducedDemand. Via @wired.com
What's Up With That: Building Bigger Roads Actually Makes Traffic Worse
The concept is called induced demand, which is economist-speak for when increasing the supply of something (like roads) makes people want that thing even more. Though some traffic engineers made note ...
www.wired.com
February 7, 2025 at 9:20 AM
The likes of Jack Chambers have no interest in the international evidence confirming the phenomenon of #InducedTraffic.
The promised congestion relief, even if temporary, is merely a sales pitch, and they know it.
The main aims are to "open up" land for development & to accommodate traffic growth.
The promised congestion relief, even if temporary, is merely a sales pitch, and they know it.
The main aims are to "open up" land for development & to accommodate traffic growth.
A second ring road -- this time mostly a motorway-like one -- in and around urban Galway will not reduce congestion for long.
All the Irish and international examples and evidence show that congestion will be back to being as bad or worse within a year or two.
All the Irish and international examples and evidence show that congestion will be back to being as bad or worse within a year or two.
I see. A ring road will be the first thing designated as "critical infrastructure" under this new scheme.
www.independent.ie/irish-news/g...
www.independent.ie/irish-news/g...
July 19, 2026 at 4:11 PM
The likes of Jack Chambers have no interest in the international evidence confirming the phenomenon of #InducedTraffic.
The promised congestion relief, even if temporary, is merely a sales pitch, and they know it.
The main aims are to "open up" land for development & to accommodate traffic growth.
The promised congestion relief, even if temporary, is merely a sales pitch, and they know it.
The main aims are to "open up" land for development & to accommodate traffic growth.
What is common knowledge in your field, but shocks outsiders?
Highway expansion makes traffic worse and increases greenhouse gas pollution. And reallocating road space to create bus lanes can speed up car traffic. #InducedTraffic #TrafficEvaporation
Highway expansion makes traffic worse and increases greenhouse gas pollution. And reallocating road space to create bus lanes can speed up car traffic. #InducedTraffic #TrafficEvaporation
What is common knowledge in your field, but shocks outsiders?
PR people outnumber journalists by at least 6 to 1.
PR people outnumber journalists by at least 6 to 1.
What is common knowledge in your field, but shocks outsiders?
Food systems are the #2 contributor to climate change, the #1 driver of deforestation, the #1 driver of biodiversity loss on land, and the #1 user of freshwater.
(It follows that food systems contain many solutions to these problems.)
Food systems are the #2 contributor to climate change, the #1 driver of deforestation, the #1 driver of biodiversity loss on land, and the #1 user of freshwater.
(It follows that food systems contain many solutions to these problems.)
November 14, 2024 at 8:02 PM
What is common knowledge in your field, but shocks outsiders?
Highway expansion makes traffic worse and increases greenhouse gas pollution. And reallocating road space to create bus lanes can speed up car traffic. #InducedTraffic #TrafficEvaporation
Highway expansion makes traffic worse and increases greenhouse gas pollution. And reallocating road space to create bus lanes can speed up car traffic. #InducedTraffic #TrafficEvaporation
CJV member @ericdoherty.bsky.social asks a simple question in today's Province Letters: "Why spend billions to make traffic congestion worse, and make it more likely that more towns like Jasper will burn?" theprovince.com/opinion/lett... #bcpoli #InducedTraffic
August 21, 2024 at 3:54 AM
CJV member @ericdoherty.bsky.social asks a simple question in today's Province Letters: "Why spend billions to make traffic congestion worse, and make it more likely that more towns like Jasper will burn?" theprovince.com/opinion/lett... #bcpoli #InducedTraffic
Does any @news.rte.ie reporter ever challenge Government ministers and officials in State agencies regarding their grandiose claims about road construction and transport?
Do they ever go back and check the news archives and departmental reports?
Do they ever read the research on #InducedTraffic?
Do they ever go back and check the news archives and departmental reports?
Do they ever read the research on #InducedTraffic?
Labour TD for Kildare South Mark Wall said that many motorways into the city have become "car parks", adding that the M7/N7 has seen a lot of delays in particular
www.rte.ie/news/regiona...
www.rte.ie/news/regiona...
Thousands of people 'trapped' on M7 every day, Dáil hears
"Thousands" of people are spending their lives stuck in traffic to Dublin, the Dáil has heard.
www.rte.ie
November 20, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Does any @news.rte.ie reporter ever challenge Government ministers and officials in State agencies regarding their grandiose claims about road construction and transport?
Do they ever go back and check the news archives and departmental reports?
Do they ever read the research on #InducedTraffic?
Do they ever go back and check the news archives and departmental reports?
Do they ever read the research on #InducedTraffic?
It has been known for many decades that #InducedTraffic is the inevitable outcome of road expansion projects. All the relevant State agencies have this information, yet they proceed as if it doesn't matter.
bsky.app/profile/cosa...
bsky.app/profile/cosa...
Official response from Irish state–
Galway City Council: don't care.
Galway County Council: don't care.
Dept of Transport: don't care.
TII: don't care.
NTA: don't care.
ACP: don't care.
Galway City Council: don't care.
Galway County Council: don't care.
Dept of Transport: don't care.
TII: don't care.
NTA: don't care.
ACP: don't care.
If you widen that highway
you won’t reduce emissions
or congestion.
What you WILL do
is spend a lot of public money
to induce even more cars
emitting even more GHGs and pollution
in the same or worse congestion
with people still demanding that you widen the highway.
Period.
you won’t reduce emissions
or congestion.
What you WILL do
is spend a lot of public money
to induce even more cars
emitting even more GHGs and pollution
in the same or worse congestion
with people still demanding that you widen the highway.
Period.
May 1, 2026 at 12:16 PM
It has been known for many decades that #InducedTraffic is the inevitable outcome of road expansion projects. All the relevant State agencies have this information, yet they proceed as if it doesn't matter.
bsky.app/profile/cosa...
bsky.app/profile/cosa...
#Melbourne already has more motorways than many cities of its size. The massively expensive $26b North East Link is known as "the missing link" ... it sounds kinda final, but just as that one gets built, there's always another one being planned 🙁 #InducedTraffic
July 13, 2025 at 10:01 PM
#Melbourne already has more motorways than many cities of its size. The massively expensive $26b North East Link is known as "the missing link" ... it sounds kinda final, but just as that one gets built, there's always another one being planned 🙁 #InducedTraffic
No one lives out there. It's #InducedDemand, #InducedTraffic and not good for our city. The cost to build through fed-protected wetland will be more than they think. #yqrcc #circus
May 29, 2026 at 1:58 AM
No one lives out there. It's #InducedDemand, #InducedTraffic and not good for our city. The cost to build through fed-protected wetland will be more than they think. #yqrcc #circus
I oppose this extension of Prince of Wales through ecologically sensitive land. It's a huge spend for some convenience and we can't afford it. Quit promoting #CarCulture. #InducedTraffic #FundTransit #yqrcc
Conservationists oppose proposed new road through Wascana Conservation Park | CBC News
Ducks Unlimited Canada and the Wascana View Action Committee say a road through the wetlands would damage the local ecology and present flooding concerns.
www.cbc.ca
December 6, 2025 at 5:09 PM
I oppose this extension of Prince of Wales through ecologically sensitive land. It's a huge spend for some convenience and we can't afford it. Quit promoting #CarCulture. #InducedTraffic #FundTransit #yqrcc
Populist FF & FG politicians in Galway have been demanding a second ring road for decades.
The proposed #N6GCRR is projected to increase CO2 emissions by 49% versus the Do Nothing option *regardless of whether EV targets are met*.
Why? Because of higher vehicle km travelled due to #InducedTraffic.
The proposed #N6GCRR is projected to increase CO2 emissions by 49% versus the Do Nothing option *regardless of whether EV targets are met*.
Why? Because of higher vehicle km travelled due to #InducedTraffic.
The new Government will justify renewed spending on roads on climate grounds because in the future, all cars will be electric. But last year, only 14% of new car sales were electric, and until that reaches 100%..
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
New roads investment planned by Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil after Green exit
Series of referendums on issues such as housing and water ‘highly unlikely’, negotiators say
www.irishtimes.com
January 6, 2025 at 10:09 AM
Populist FF & FG politicians in Galway have been demanding a second ring road for decades.
The proposed #N6GCRR is projected to increase CO2 emissions by 49% versus the Do Nothing option *regardless of whether EV targets are met*.
Why? Because of higher vehicle km travelled due to #InducedTraffic.
The proposed #N6GCRR is projected to increase CO2 emissions by 49% versus the Do Nothing option *regardless of whether EV targets are met*.
Why? Because of higher vehicle km travelled due to #InducedTraffic.
Good news from Switserland: the Swiss people understand what #InducedDemand is !
Lewis Mumford explained us in 1955 that
"Adding highway lanes to deal with traffic congestion is like loosening your belt to cure obesity."
#JevonsParadox #InducedTraffic
www.swissinfo.ch/eng/swiss-po...
Lewis Mumford explained us in 1955 that
"Adding highway lanes to deal with traffic congestion is like loosening your belt to cure obesity."
#JevonsParadox #InducedTraffic
www.swissinfo.ch/eng/swiss-po...
Swiss reject plans for bigger motorways and extra rights for landlords
Swiss voters had their say on Sunday on a set of ballots which went right down to the wire.
www.swissinfo.ch
November 25, 2024 at 2:24 PM
Good news from Switserland: the Swiss people understand what #InducedDemand is !
Lewis Mumford explained us in 1955 that
"Adding highway lanes to deal with traffic congestion is like loosening your belt to cure obesity."
#JevonsParadox #InducedTraffic
www.swissinfo.ch/eng/swiss-po...
Lewis Mumford explained us in 1955 that
"Adding highway lanes to deal with traffic congestion is like loosening your belt to cure obesity."
#JevonsParadox #InducedTraffic
www.swissinfo.ch/eng/swiss-po...
"Since the M50 opened in the 1990s, it has been a victim of its own success; almost as soon as it was completed in the mid-2000s, a plan was enacted to expand it. This expansion provided some alleviation for a few years, but congestion quickly returned."
#InducedTraffic is a guaranteed outcome.
#InducedTraffic is a guaranteed outcome.
How do you solve a problem like the M50? The capital needs this road to operate efficiently, but congestion means it's just not serving the needs of the people of the region, write @briancaulfield.bsky.social & Matthew Ward @tcddublin.bsky.social @researchireland.ie www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2...
How do you solve a problem like the M50?
The capital city needs this road to operate efficiently, but congestion means the M50 is just not serving the needs of the people of the region
www.rte.ie
May 1, 2026 at 12:07 PM
"Since the M50 opened in the 1990s, it has been a victim of its own success; almost as soon as it was completed in the mid-2000s, a plan was enacted to expand it. This expansion provided some alleviation for a few years, but congestion quickly returned."
#InducedTraffic is a guaranteed outcome.
#InducedTraffic is a guaranteed outcome.
As shared by @brenttoderian.bsky.social via X:
“It means you spend a lot of money now for a very short-term benefit"
“I guess for $300 billion dollars we were hoping for something a little more dramatic”
#JevonsParadox isn’t a death metal band. It’s #inducedTraffic
Search for ABCTV show “Utopia”
“It means you spend a lot of money now for a very short-term benefit"
“I guess for $300 billion dollars we were hoping for something a little more dramatic”
#JevonsParadox isn’t a death metal band. It’s #inducedTraffic
Search for ABCTV show “Utopia”
April 28, 2025 at 11:45 AM
As shared by @brenttoderian.bsky.social via X:
“It means you spend a lot of money now for a very short-term benefit"
“I guess for $300 billion dollars we were hoping for something a little more dramatic”
#JevonsParadox isn’t a death metal band. It’s #inducedTraffic
Search for ABCTV show “Utopia”
“It means you spend a lot of money now for a very short-term benefit"
“I guess for $300 billion dollars we were hoping for something a little more dramatic”
#JevonsParadox isn’t a death metal band. It’s #inducedTraffic
Search for ABCTV show “Utopia”
From CTV News : #Ottawa councillor fires back at province over bike lane restrictions
People in the vox pop thinking that more car lanes = less traffic 🫠
@bikeottawa.bsky.social
#bikeott #inducedtraffic #onpoli
People in the vox pop thinking that more car lanes = less traffic 🫠
@bikeottawa.bsky.social
#bikeott #inducedtraffic #onpoli
Ottawa councillor fires back at province over bike lane restrictions
YouTube video by CTV News
youtu.be
October 23, 2024 at 12:31 PM
From CTV News : #Ottawa councillor fires back at province over bike lane restrictions
People in the vox pop thinking that more car lanes = less traffic 🫠
@bikeottawa.bsky.social
#bikeott #inducedtraffic #onpoli
People in the vox pop thinking that more car lanes = less traffic 🫠
@bikeottawa.bsky.social
#bikeott #inducedtraffic #onpoli
"Expanding the road network is not the answer to alleviating congestion, as evidence shows that expanding road capacity actually induces growth in traffic volumes."
#InducedTraffic
#GalwayCityRingRoad
www.connachttribune.ie/news/traffic...
#InducedTraffic
#GalwayCityRingRoad
www.connachttribune.ie/news/traffic...
Traffic jams are set to cost Galway city €107m a year
The economic cost of traffic congestion in Galway City is set to more than treble to €107 million in the next two decades.
www.connachttribune.ie
March 6, 2026 at 4:21 PM
"Expanding the road network is not the answer to alleviating congestion, as evidence shows that expanding road capacity actually induces growth in traffic volumes."
#InducedTraffic
#GalwayCityRingRoad
www.connachttribune.ie/news/traffic...
#InducedTraffic
#GalwayCityRingRoad
www.connachttribune.ie/news/traffic...
In a sense, this is not news.
TII has occasionally acknowledged the fact of #InducedTraffic.
However, when it comes to choosing demand management over road expansion, they have said that such measures are in the political arena.
TII are quite happy to keep building roads, regardless of outcomes.
TII has occasionally acknowledged the fact of #InducedTraffic.
However, when it comes to choosing demand management over road expansion, they have said that such measures are in the political arena.
TII are quite happy to keep building roads, regardless of outcomes.
December 3, 2025 at 8:51 AM
In a sense, this is not news.
TII has occasionally acknowledged the fact of #InducedTraffic.
However, when it comes to choosing demand management over road expansion, they have said that such measures are in the political arena.
TII are quite happy to keep building roads, regardless of outcomes.
TII has occasionally acknowledged the fact of #InducedTraffic.
However, when it comes to choosing demand management over road expansion, they have said that such measures are in the political arena.
TII are quite happy to keep building roads, regardless of outcomes.
Via CBC News: #Ontario tables bill to give it veto power over bike lanes
youtu.be/Vyt9_ny0dZY
#onpoli #bikeTO #inducedtraffic
youtu.be/Vyt9_ny0dZY
#onpoli #bikeTO #inducedtraffic
Ontario tables bill to give it veto power over bike lanes
YouTube video by CBC News: The National
youtu.be
October 22, 2024 at 12:22 PM
Via CBC News: #Ontario tables bill to give it veto power over bike lanes
youtu.be/Vyt9_ny0dZY
#onpoli #bikeTO #inducedtraffic
youtu.be/Vyt9_ny0dZY
#onpoli #bikeTO #inducedtraffic
One year later:
"The opening of the Killaloe Bypass and Brian Boru Bridge has improved access to East Clare and contributed to increased visitor numbers."
#InducedTraffic
www.clareecho.ie/traffic-ward...
"The opening of the Killaloe Bypass and Brian Boru Bridge has improved access to East Clare and contributed to increased visitor numbers."
#InducedTraffic
www.clareecho.ie/traffic-ward...
Traffic warden proposed for East Clare amid growing parking pressures - Clare Echo
A DEDICATED traffic warden for the Killaloe Municipal District is to be considered by Clare County Council as parking pressures continue to grow across East Clare.
www.clareecho.ie
August 14, 2026 at 2:07 PM
One year later:
"The opening of the Killaloe Bypass and Brian Boru Bridge has improved access to East Clare and contributed to increased visitor numbers."
#InducedTraffic
www.clareecho.ie/traffic-ward...
"The opening of the Killaloe Bypass and Brian Boru Bridge has improved access to East Clare and contributed to increased visitor numbers."
#InducedTraffic
www.clareecho.ie/traffic-ward...
#Inducedtraffic #BraessParadoxon Darüber hat der Mathematiker Dietrich Braess 1968 seine Dissertation verfasst . "Veranschaulichung der Tatsache , dass eine zusätzliche Handlungsoption unter der Annahme rationaler Einzelentscheidungen zu einer Verschlechterung der Situation für alle führen kann ."
May 5, 2026 at 7:02 AM
#Inducedtraffic #BraessParadoxon Darüber hat der Mathematiker Dietrich Braess 1968 seine Dissertation verfasst . "Veranschaulichung der Tatsache , dass eine zusätzliche Handlungsoption unter der Annahme rationaler Einzelentscheidungen zu einer Verschlechterung der Situation für alle führen kann ."
Via @linpoonsays.bsky.social on CityLab @bloomberg.com
"Conservative lawmakers have long blamed bikeways for #Toronto’s traffic tie-ups [...] and many suburbanites who commute by car have argued that adding a driving lane would relieve gridlock."
#ONpoli #bikeTO #TOpoli #bill212 #inducedtraffic
"Conservative lawmakers have long blamed bikeways for #Toronto’s traffic tie-ups [...] and many suburbanites who commute by car have argued that adding a driving lane would relieve gridlock."
#ONpoli #bikeTO #TOpoli #bill212 #inducedtraffic
Why Ontario Wants to Rip Out Toronto’s New Bike Lanes
Also today: The dark new era of urban destruction, and Riyadh’s metro partially opens to ease congestion.
www.bloomberg.com
December 2, 2024 at 6:53 PM
Via @linpoonsays.bsky.social on CityLab @bloomberg.com
"Conservative lawmakers have long blamed bikeways for #Toronto’s traffic tie-ups [...] and many suburbanites who commute by car have argued that adding a driving lane would relieve gridlock."
#ONpoli #bikeTO #TOpoli #bill212 #inducedtraffic
"Conservative lawmakers have long blamed bikeways for #Toronto’s traffic tie-ups [...] and many suburbanites who commute by car have argued that adding a driving lane would relieve gridlock."
#ONpoli #bikeTO #TOpoli #bill212 #inducedtraffic