Conclusion: The Mayor prefers CP (Congestion Pricing) over TC (Traffic Calming) as solution for traffic management
Arguments
1. CP -> charges a fee -> incentivizes the use of public transport / off-peak travel + reduction of carbon emission -> efficient management of large-scale urban gridlock
2. LC benefits on safety and livability at the neighborhood level have little effect on regional traffic volume
Missing link/assumption
- If CP charges a fee -> influences use of public transport. How if it influences side effect / increase traffic in non-fee track?
The possible answer
1. Strengthen -> Statement 1Why? 80% of urban air pollution originates from regional commuters. Working on CP can solve this issue of pollution.
2. Weakening -> Statement 5Why? Traffic displacement, which implication of the policy, weakens the conclusion. The assumption that there are no side effects of implementing a higher fee is attacked and weakens the conclusion.
Why others might be wrong
S2 -> irrelevant. Building more lanes not aligned with the arguments stated
S3 -> irrelevant. idling cars in heavy gridlock is not aligned with the argument's assumption
S4 -> irrelevant. Comparing the safety of pedestrians and reductions of urban congestion is not aligned with the arguments.
Bunuel
City C is considering two urban planning concepts for traffic management: traffic calming and congestion pricing. Traffic calming involves physical design changes to streets, such as speed bumps, roundabouts, and curb extensions, that are intended to slow vehicles and improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists. In contrast, congestion pricing is a market-based strategy that charges drivers a fee to enter high-traffic zones during peak hours, aiming to reduce the total volume of cars by incentivizing the use of public transit or off-peak travel. Although traffic calming would likely increase safety and livability at a neighborhood level, the mayor asserts that it does little to reduce regional traffic volume, so she favors congestion pricing for its reduction of carbon emissions and efficient management of large-scale urban gridlock.
Select
Strengthen for the statement that would, if true, most strengthen the mayor’s position, and select
Weaken for the statement that would, if true, most weaken the mayor’s position. Make only two selections, one in each column.