Why New Roads Can Create Traffic

Adding a new road to a network can paradoxically make traffic worse for everyone. Instead of easing congestion, the additional shortcut often causes drivers to create bottlenecks that slow down the entire system.

This phenomenon occurs because individual drivers act in their own best interest by choosing the fastest route, which collectively leads to an inefficient outcome. When a new path opens, everyone rushes to use it, causing gridlock that wasn't there before. Interestingly, closing certain roads can sometimes improve travel times by forcing traffic to spread out. It is a classic example of how selfish choices don't always lead to the best results for a group.