The Use of Braess’s Paradox for Urban Planning A Case Study Analysis in Downtown Seattle

Abstract

Braess's Paradox counterintuitively states that adding capacity to roads can sometimes increase travel time. The concept provides advocates of creating better traffic performance, new urban spaces for recreation, and more effective use of resources. This thesis uses Braess’s Paradox as a mathematical model to analyze the Seattle downtown road network. The Braess’s Paradox demonstrates how current travel demand, can be analyzed and the results used to increase overall mobility in an urban area. The research selects road segments for analysis which have the potential to demonstrate Braess’s Paradox and uses the results to inform changes that incorporate both technical data and the perspective of urban planning and policy.