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IMO - Ans is C
So the GAP here is they directly concludes if we increase the traffic flow by 25% then it automatically means people would not stop in red signal traffic that much or assuming they have reduce signal stoppage less then 20 %.
In my view only option C is making sense other's are irrelevant to fill this gap.
A - Timeline not needed Unrelated irrelvant
B- Mechanical malfunctions again outside irrelevant info
D - It doesn't compare with old date but it gives us new data in different way and conclude
E - Money constraint $12 M not valuable at all.

So C - Make sense it gives some hint after traffic flow improvemnt it may incrrease overall tarffic and could be the reason still people need to wait more so this make sense. Thanks!

Bunuel
The city of Metropolis aims to reduce morning traffic congestion in the downtown core, defined as the average time spent waiting at red lights, by 20%. To achieve this, the city council has installed a new, highly advanced synchronization system for all traffic lights, an investment that cost $12 million. Since this system can increase the number of vehicles that pass through major intersections every hour by an average of 25%, the city council concludes that the installation of the new system will ensure that the city meets its congestion reduction target.

The argument above is flawed in that it:

(A) fails to establish a clear timeline for when the 20% reduction in congestion is expected to occur.
(B) fails to consider whether the advanced synchronization system will experience mechanical malfunctions or software errors during its initial implementation phase.
(C) assumes that the increased traffic flow through major intersections will not encourage more people to drive to the downtown core.
(D) provides statistical data from a new system but does not compare its performance with the city’s previous, older traffic light system.
(E) does not justify the $12 million investment by showing that the monetary benefits of reducing congestion will exceed the cost of the new system.

 


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A. Timeline is not relevant
B. Mechanical failures are a speculation
C. Yas! If roads get faster, more people may chose to drive downtown. which will offset the improvement and achievement may not be possible
D. But 25% is already an implied comparison
E. Irrelevant, conclusion is about congestion. not investments.
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CM aims to reduce morning traffic RL by 20%.
To achieve this, CC installed new system ($12 m)
Every hour 25% more vehicles pass through major IS.
Concludes installation of new system will ensure that city meets its congestion reduction target.

A. This talks about timeline......Wrong
B. The current system might also experience it. We can’t be sure about current or nee system inthis aspect.....Wrong
C. As a result of installation of new system if more people start start driving through the major intersections. Then the problem of morning congestion might still persist. While making the conclusion, CC did not considered whether number of people driving on mjaor intersections will increase or not. .........Correct
D. This is already done in the argument.........Wrong
E. Justification of money is mot dicussed ........Wrong

C
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A. Irrelevant as the timeline is irrelevant. The argument is looking at whether the goal will be achieved or not. It doesent look at when the reduction occurs.
B. Irrelevant as every possible random aspect cant be considered. The argument assumes system functions as described and possible failures are just speculations.
C. Relevant as this points a direct possible flaw here. If the system encourages more people to drive, then the total volume of car increases, which would make the 25% efficiency gained irrelevant and prevent the city from hitting its 20% wait time reduction target. This directly attacks the assumption between capacity to reduced congestion
D. Irrelevant as we already know the new system increases effciency by 25%. We arent looking for a flaw in comparison, but whether the increased effciency actually does reduce congestion and reduce waiting time
E. Irrelevant as the city council's goal is purely operational and doesent look at the financial aspect of their investment. Whether its a good investment financially or not is irrelevant if the operational aspect is achieved.

C.
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A Timing is a detail, but the real issue is whether the 25% flow increase actually leads to a 20% wait time drop.

B Technical problems are possible, but the argument's logical gap is about traffic behavior, not reliability.

C Correct. If traffic moves faster, more people may choose to drive during rush hour, which could cancel out the gains.

D A comparison might be nice, but the argument's conclusion depend on whether throughput increase equals wait time reduction.

E The argument is about whether the target will be met, not about whether the investment is cost effective.

IMO C
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Passage analysis,
Aim: reduce avg time spent waiting at the red light by 20%
Method: HASS for traffic lights, increasing 25% no of vehicles passing through an hour.
Conclusion: meet the target.

Question analysis,
Find the flaw.

A. This is incorrect. Since it talks about avg. in two scenarios, with or without HASS.
B.Not part of our context. Not bothered about the logistics. Only bothered about if implemented whether it will meet the target.
C.Correct answer. Number of vehicle per hour increases the target wont be possible to meet.
D.Irrelevant.
E.Totally out of context. Not concerned about the cost.

Bunuel
The city of Metropolis aims to reduce morning traffic congestion in the downtown core, defined as the average time spent waiting at red lights, by 20%. To achieve this, the city council has installed a new, highly advanced synchronization system for all traffic lights, an investment that cost $12 million. Since this system can increase the number of vehicles that pass through major intersections every hour by an average of 25%, the city council concludes that the installation of the new system will ensure that the city meets its congestion reduction target.

The argument above is flawed in that it:

(A) fails to establish a clear timeline for when the 20% reduction in congestion is expected to occur.
(B) fails to consider whether the advanced synchronization system will experience mechanical malfunctions or software errors during its initial implementation phase.
(C) assumes that the increased traffic flow through major intersections will not encourage more people to drive to the downtown core.
(D) provides statistical data from a new system but does not compare its performance with the city’s previous, older traffic light system.
(E) does not justify the $12 million investment by showing that the monetary benefits of reducing congestion will exceed the cost of the new system.

 


This question was provided by Manhattan Prep
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A The argument doesn't specify a timeline, but that's not the real logical problem.

B Potential malfunctions aren't the issue, the flaw is in the reasoning, not the technology.

C The argument wrongly assumes that faster traffic won't attract extra drivers. Correct answer.

D Comparing old and new systems isn't necessary to spot the reasoning gap.

E Cost-effectiveness is beside the point. The claim is about meeting a target, not about money.

The answer is C
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Option - C will be the correct answer, because if the number of vehicle increase, the conclusion will weaken
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