The Highway That Made Traffic Worse

The paradox behind the consequences of adding and closing roads in a congested city.

Nobody expected that closing 42nd street in New York City would reduce the congestion in the area.

That was back in 1990, and it’s only one of many similar examples that defy common sense.

Contrary to popular belief, adding new roads can increase traffic congestion, while closing existing roads can lead to a better traffic flow overall.

This is one of the …