Re blocking roads: in this example If there are 9000 cars instead of 4000, the new road doesn’t make any difference, and if there are more than 9000, the new road helps. With 10000 it brings commutes from 95 minutes to 90. With 20000 it brings them from 145 to 90.
And if there are 3000 cars, the original commute is 60 minutes and it remains 60; fewer than 3000, the new road is helpful.
As I understand it, this is true in general. If you add a road, it might slow things down within a certain level of demand (here, 3000-9000 cars), but outside that it will be either helpful or indifferent. Cite, but it’s not open access and I don’t remember how I got hold of the full paper.
“it’s a fast-paced, complicated world—either understand something, or have an opinion on it. there’s no time for both”
The Unpleasantness of Pain For Humans and Other Animals
Why Blocking Roads Can Speed Up Traffic
Why I Think I Win My Bets
The onward march of the new young fogey
FYI, this is the original source of that top line you’re quoting: http://asofterworld.com/index.php?id=740
(the alt-text might[n’t] also be noteworthy to you, which reads “Understanding is for terrorists.”)
Re blocking roads: in this example If there are 9000 cars instead of 4000, the new road doesn’t make any difference, and if there are more than 9000, the new road helps. With 10000 it brings commutes from 95 minutes to 90. With 20000 it brings them from 145 to 90.
And if there are 3000 cars, the original commute is 60 minutes and it remains 60; fewer than 3000, the new road is helpful.
As I understand it, this is true in general. If you add a road, it might slow things down within a certain level of demand (here, 3000-9000 cars), but outside that it will be either helpful or indifferent. Cite, but it’s not open access and I don’t remember how I got hold of the full paper.