> "induced demand" is just another way of saying "insufficient supply" because otherwise massive roads in the middle of nowhere would instantly fill with cars.

> "induced demand" is just another way of saying "insufficient supply" because otherwise massive roads in the middle of nowhere would instantly fill with cars. I don’t think anybody claims induced demand happens instantly and doesn’t have limits. It won’t happen instantly, but over time, a new road to the middle of nowhere will lead to people moving there, increasing traffic. Also, in the case of widening roads, part of induced demand is of people that used to leave early to avoid the traffic that now will leave home a bit later. That doesn’t increase demand for going from A to B, but does increase demand for going from A to B between 7 AM and 9 AM. Another effect is that, all other things being equal, using more space for roads decreases population density and thus increases distance traveled, also increasing road usage.