Highway expansions fail to ease traffic and harm the environment

State transportation departments nationwide are pushing highway expansions that increase traffic and emissions despite claiming these projects fight climate change.

David Zipper reports for Vox.

In short:

• Texas and other states argue that highway widening reduces emissions by easing traffic congestion, but evidence shows it leads to more cars and higher emissions.
• Induced demand, where increased road capacity leads to more driving, nullifies the initial congestion relief from highway expansions.
• Alternatives like mass transit and denser urban development can effectively reduce emissions and traffic.

Key quote:

“There’s enough research out there showing again and again that it doesn’t work. You would think they would know better.”

— Wes Marshall, licensed traffic engineer, urban planning professor at the University of Colorado-Denver, and author of the new book Killed by a Traffic Engineer

Why this matters:

Highway expansions exacerbate climate change by encouraging more driving and emissions. Redirecting funds toward sustainable transportation can better address environmental and traffic concerns.