Which statement best describes induced demand?

Which statement best describes induced demand?

• A. It reduces transit use.
• B. It causes traffic to increase and negate benefits.
• C. It automatically passes environmental approvals.
• D. It lowers emissions.

Answer: (B)

Induced demand is the idea that expanding road capacity tends to invite more driving. When more lanes or existing roads are widened, the cost and effort of a trip drop, making driving more attractive. This often stimulates new trips and can encourage development along the corridor, so traffic grows to fill the new capacity. As a result, the initial travel-time gains fade, and congestion can end up at about the same level or even worse than before. That’s why simply expanding roads often doesn’t deliver long-term relief and why planners consider demand-management approaches like congestion pricing or improving transit. The statement that best captures induced demand is that it causes traffic to increase and negate benefits; the other options don’t describe this effect and can be about unrelated ideas.

Induced demand is the idea that expanding road capacity tends to invite more driving. When more lanes or existing roads are widened, the cost and effort of a trip drop, making driving more attractive. This often stimulates new trips and can encourage development along the corridor, so traffic grows to fill the new capacity. As a result, the initial travel-time gains fade, and congestion can end up at about the same level or even worse than before. That’s why simply expanding roads often doesn’t deliver long-term relief and why planners consider demand-management approaches like congestion pricing or improving transit. The statement that best captures induced demand is that it causes traffic to increase and negate benefits; the other options don’t describe this effect and can be about unrelated ideas.