How Highways Make Traffic Worse

Provided by: Vox |Published on: April 27, 2021

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Synopsis

This Vox video examines why highway expansion makes traffic worse for commuters, opening with the example of Houston's Katy Freeway.
The video describes some alternative approaches that may provide some solutions, including improving public transit options, enacting policies to disincentivize people from using highways, and removing highways altogether.

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Subjects: Engineering

Authors: Vox

Region: Texas

Languages: English

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Teaching Materials

Positives

This video is a great resource for explaining the complicated phenomenon of "induced demand," when increasing the availability of highway lanes actually does not solve the problem of traffic congestion.
This video can be a great case study for students to investigate relevant policies that are impacting climate change.

Prerequisites

An understanding of basic economic principles, such as supply and demand, would be helpful.
Consider introducing the term "induced demand" before viewing the video.

Differentiation & Implementation

This is a great video to incorporate into science classes, economics classes, or history classes because it discusses the environmental, social, and political aspects of the transportation problems we currently face in the United States.
Students can take time time to evaluate alternative solutions and weigh the pros and cons.
Teachers can make connections to students' background knowledge by asking them to discuss their experience with highways.

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How Highways Make Traffic Worse

Synopsis

Teaching Materials

Scientist Reviewed

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