I remember several years ago seeing a system of springs set up to support a weight. When one of the springs was removed, the weight went up, contrary to common sense. This was used as an example of why adding a road could make traffic worse. My co-workers are sceptical of this, and I can find nothing on Google. Any one else remeber this?
To clarify, the weight was hanging from the springs.
The only way I can think your example would work is if a weight is hanging by a number of springs which are pulling up and the spring you are removing was pushing down. If you remove it, the weight moves up.
So what does this prove with respect to traffic? I haven’t the foggiest.
Dan,
Two things pop into my head:
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The spring was in compression whilst apparently aiding in support of the sprung mass, hence removal cause the other springs to retract some.
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The spring was so weak, such as a slinky would be, that it’s mass was supported by the sprung mass, hence it’s removal caused the others to retract some.
You’ll have to ask a urban planning person about how these relate to road construction. Perhaps new roads attract more traffic than they’re able to handle(that would be #2). A super high capacity,but not too direct, throughfare that actually increases commute time might be an example of #1.
:o Shame, shame, misuse of “it’s” for “its” twice in the same sentence.