In an effort to reduce traffic congestion in downtown Whitmore during the morning rush-hour, the city's transportation commission constructed a new highway connecting Whitmore directly with its northern suburbs. But since the completion of the highway, traffic congestion in downtown Whitmore has actually increased during the morning rush-hour.
Which of the following, if true, would best explain the increase in traffic congestion?
(A) More commuters to downtown Whitmore come from the southern suburbs than from the northern suburbs.
(B) Because the new highway gives downtown Whitmore residents easy access to the northern suburbs, several new businesses have opened adjacent to the highway in the northern suburbs.
(C) Many who live and work in the northern suburbs have begun to use the highway as a way to access downtown Whitmore's nightlife.
(D) The convenience of the new highway has encouraged many commuters from the northern suburbs to drive to work in downtown Whitmore rather than take public transportation.
(E) The majority of people who work in downtown Whitmore also live in downtown Whitmore.
(A) More commuters to downtown Whitmore come from the southern suburbs than from the northern suburbs. Since the highway connects the northern suburbs to downtown Whitmore, the density of southern Whitmore being greater does not explain the increase in congestion, since it does not address any potential changed situation after the highway was built. Eliminate.
(B) Because the new highway gives downtown Whitmore residents easy access to the northern suburbs, several new businesses have opened adjacent to the highway in the northern suburbs. The congestion has increased in downtown Whitmore while this option gives a possible explanation for increased congestion in the northern suburbs. Eliminate.
(C) Many who live and work in the northern suburbs have begun to use the highway as a way to access downtown Whitmore's nightlife. The congestion has increased during the morning rush hour while this option gives a possible explanation for increased congestion at night. Eliminate.
(D) The convenience of the new highway has encouraged many commuters from the northern suburbs to drive to work in downtown Whitmore rather than take public transportation. Correct answer. If people are moving from using public transportation to using their private vehicles, this would increase the number of vehicles on the road during the morning rush hour and this increase congestion.
(E) The majority of people who work in downtown Whitmore also live in downtown Whitmore. There is no implication of changed situation after construction of the highway. Eliminate.