Transportation Demand Management: A Smarter Approach to Traffic
There are two main ways to deal with traffic congestion. One is very expensive and only makes the problem worse in the long run: widening and expanding roads. While this might offer short-term relief, it ultimately encourages more people to drive, creating even more traffic. This is a well-documented phenomenon called induced demand.
When driving becomes faster or easier, people drive more. That leads to more cars on the road, more congestion, and higher infrastructure maintenance costs. I moved here in 1981 when the population was just 85,000, and there was far less traffic. Despite a lower population back then, our current traffic situation is worse. Why? Because we’ve sprawled outward and poured resources into expanding our road network instead of managing demand.
Progressive cities understand this. Instead of doubling down on car-centric infrastructure, they invest in alternative modes of transportation—public transit, cycling, and walking paths—that are cheaper to build and maintain, reduce pollution, promote health and safety, and improve overall quality of life.
Rather than spending millions to extend Sackville Road or expand intersections, we should be investing in public transit and active transportation options. Encouraging a modal shift means making driving a bit less convenient and more costly, while making transit, cycling, and walking more accessible, affordable, and appealing.
This is how we build a more sustainable, livable, and forward-thinking city.
Transportation Demand Management: A Smarter Approach to Traffic
There are two main ways to deal with traffic congestion. One is very expensive and only makes the problem worse in the long run: widening and expanding roads. While this might offer short-term relief, it ultimately encourages more people to drive, creating even more traffic. This is a well-documented phenomenon called induced demand.
When driving becomes faster or easier, people drive more. That leads to more cars on the road, more congestion, and higher infrastructure maintenance costs. I moved here in 1981 when the population was just 85,000, and there was far less traffic. Despite a lower population back then, our current traffic situation is worse. Why? Because we’ve sprawled outward and poured resources into expanding our road network instead of managing demand.
Progressive cities understand this. Instead of doubling down on car-centric infrastructure, they invest in alternative modes of transportation—public transit, cycling, and walking paths—that are cheaper to build and maintain, reduce pollution, promote health and safety, and improve overall quality of life.
Rather than spending millions to extend Sackville Road or expand intersections, we should be investing in public transit and active transportation options. Encouraging a modal shift means making driving a bit less convenient and more costly, while making transit, cycling, and walking more accessible, affordable, and appealing.
This is how we build a more sustainable, livable, and forward-thinking city.