Which statement best describes induced demand?

• A. It reduces transit use.
• B. It causes traffic to increase and negate benefits.
• C. It automatically passes environmental approvals.
• D. It lowers emissions.

Answer: (B)

Induced demand is the idea that expanding road capacity tends to invite more driving. When more lanes or existing roads are widened, the cost and effort of a trip drop, making driving more attractive. This often stimulates new trips and can encourage development along the corridor, so traffic grows to fill the new capacity. As a result, the initial travel-time gains fade, and congestion can end up at about the same level or even worse than before. That’s why simply expanding roads often doesn’t deliver long-term relief and why planners consider demand-management approaches like congestion pricing or improving transit. The statement that best captures induced demand is that it causes traffic to increase and negate benefits; the other options don’t describe this effect and can be about unrelated ideas.