For decades, urban planners assumed that increasing highway capacity was the most effective solution to traffic congestion. Early municipal studies appeared to support this view, showing temporary drops in commute times following major road expansions. However, recent empirical research in transportation economics reveals that such expansions actually induce additional driving demand, ultimately returning congestion to pre-expansion levels. Consequently, contemporary planners are shifting their focus from expanding infrastructure to managing demand through congestion pricing and public transit investments.
In the passage, the word 'However' primarily serves to do which of the following?
- Signal a pivot from a traditional planning assumption to recent empirical findings that contradict itAnswer
- BIntroduce supporting evidence that reinforces the results of early municipal studies
- CProvide a specific example of contemporary public transit investment strategies
- DAttribute the findings of transportation economists to the personal preferences of urban planners
- EQualify the effectiveness of demand management strategies by presenting a major drawback
Answer
The transition word 'However' signals a pivot from a traditional planning assumption to recent empirical findings that contradict it.
The transition word 'However' functions as a structural pivot that contrasts the earlier belief in highway expansion with recent empirical evidence demonstrating that expanding highways does not solve congestion long-term.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Tracking Structural Pivots and Transitions