---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: One expect summed it up by saying…"
description: "\"One expect summed it up by saying: \"Trying to cure traffic congestion by building more roads is like trying to cure obesity by loosening your belt.\" On..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ee/david-b-sandalow-231012_belts_one-expect-summed-it-up-by-saying-trying_694755.png"
---

#  One expect summed it up by saying: "Trying to cure traffic…

![“One expect summed it up by saying: &quot;Trying to cure traffic congestion by building more roads is like trying to cure obesity by loosening your belt.&quot; One study of 30 California counties over several decades found that, for every 10% increase in road capacity, traffic increased by 9% within four…” quote by David B. Sandalow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ee/david-b-sandalow-231012_belts_one-expect-summed-it-up-by-saying-trying_694755.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ee/david-b-sandalow-231012_belts_one-expect-summed-it-up-by-saying-trying_694755.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ee/david-b-sandalow-231012_belts_one-expect-summed-it-up-by-saying-trying_694755.png)

> “One expect summed it up by saying: "Trying to cure traffic congestion by building more roads is like trying to cure obesity by loosening your belt." One study of 30 California counties over several decades found that, for every 10% increase in road capacity, traffic increased by 9% within four years.”

David B. Sandalow

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Building more roads to ease traffic is as ineffective as loosening a belt to cure obesity; capacity increases invite demand.

**In simple terms:** More roads attract more traffic, similar to belts and obesity.

Key Takeaway

Focus on demand management, not just capacity.

Themes

urban planning traffic infrastructure behavioral economics environment

Mood

analytical critical

Type

analysis policy

When to use this quote

- city planning
- policy making
- public awareness

Key Concepts

transportation economics system dynamics

Questions to Reflect On

- How can demand‑side strategies reduce traffic?
- What alternatives replace road expansion?

A Different Perspective

Capacity alone cannot solve congestion; complementary measures needed.

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[California](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/california/) [Climate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/climate/) [Obesity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/obesity/) [Traffic congestion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/traffic-congestion/)

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