Traffic Jams Are Good News

Several transportation experts are arguing that the costs of congestion are overstated, and that there are benefits to congestion.

1 minute read

July 31, 2003, 4:00 AM PDT

By Chris Steins @planetizen


" 'Congestion is inevitable. Get used to it,' said Anthony Downs, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, whose soon-to-be published book 'Still Stuck in Traffic' will begin with a chapter titled: 'The Benefits of Congestion.' In a recent transportation journal article, Taylor said that traffic jams offer evidence of economic and social vitality and that empty roads are a sign of failure."

Thanks to Chris Steins

Wednesday, July 30, 2003 in The Los Angeles Times

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