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The latent demand in road traffic

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The latent demand in road traffic

Between 2000 and 2012, the use of the main road network increased by 16. From
this increase was estimated to be about one-eighth (approx. 2%)
additional car use called ‘ ’ by the same period
realized road extensions.

Download 'The latent demand in road traffic'

PDF document | 35 pages | 702 kB

Document (research publication) | 30-10-2014 | Han van der Loop

Download 'Summary of latent demand in road traffic'

PDF document | 4 pages | 86 kB

In places where road capacity is due to previous congestion problems
extensive, a significant increase in peak periods in particular is often seen
traffic. This mainly concerns existing traffic that is used by the
congestion previously diverted to other routes or avoided the strikers. Next to it
the road extension also evokes completely new car use, for example because
people in the new situation choose the car and move further away
travel destinations. However, this effect is relatively limited.

The Knowledge Institute for Mobility Policy (KiM) concludes this in the
publication 'The latent demand in road traffic', commissioned by the
Directorate-General for Accessibility of the Ministry of Infrastructure and
Environment. “ Widening roads makes no sense, because that provides much extra
traffic so that they are full again in no time. ” A frequently heard
pronunciation. Reality shows a more nuanced picture.

The KiM defines the ‘ latent demand ’ as the increase in car use per
24 hours on the entire motorway network (in number of vehicle kilometers traveled), which
arises as a result of the expansion of that network. The size of the extra
car use that becomes manifest in capacity expansion differs greatly per
extension. On average, five years after the capacity of the road network
has been expanded by 10%, an effect is expected from 3 to 5% extra car use
on the network.

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The Knowledge Institute for Mobility Policy (KiM) provides knowledge for the mobility policy of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management (IenW)

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