A comprehensive analysis of traffic management was conducted across fifteen metropolitan districts by a city planning commission. The research reveale...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
A comprehensive analysis of traffic management was conducted across fifteen metropolitan districts by a city planning commission. The research revealed two distinct approaches currently in use: while traditional grid-based street systems remain the standard infrastructure choice for most urban areas, some districts have adopted adaptive traffic routing networks capable of real-time adjustments to signal timing and lane configurations. During peak traffic periods, districts utilizing adaptive systems demonstrated significantly superior flow performance compared to their conventional counterparts. The commission's data also showed a notable pattern: areas experiencing chronic rush-hour congestion that regularly exceeds capacity thresholds were more likely to have implemented these adaptive networks. Based on this evidence, it can be concluded that ______
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
adaptive routing technology may be connected to improved congestion management capabilities.
metropolitan districts face more severe traffic challenges than smaller urban areas do.
conventional grid systems will likely become obsolete as adaptive networks expand.
districts with better traffic flow will soon abandon adaptive networks for conventional approaches.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "A comprehensive analysis of traffic management was conducted across fifteen metropolitan districts by a city planning commission." |
|
| "The research revealed two distinct approaches currently in use:" |
|
| "while traditional grid-based street systems remain the standard infrastructure choice for most urban areas," |
|
| "some districts have adopted adaptive traffic routing networks capable of real-time adjustments to signal timing and lane configurations." |
|
| "During peak traffic periods, districts utilizing adaptive systems demonstrated significantly superior flow performance compared to their conventional counterparts." |
|
| "The commission's data also showed a notable pattern:" |
|
| "areas experiencing chronic rush-hour congestion that regularly exceeds capacity thresholds were more likely to have implemented these adaptive networks." |
|
Main Point and Argument Flow
- Main Point: Research comparing traditional and adaptive traffic systems found that adaptive networks perform better during peak periods and are more commonly implemented in areas with chronic congestion problems.
- Argument Flow: The passage presents a research study comparing two traffic management approaches. It establishes that most areas use traditional grid systems while some have adopted adaptive networks. The research findings show adaptive systems outperform traditional ones during peak traffic and reveals a correlation between chronic congestion problems and adaptive network implementation.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
This is a fill-in-the-blank question asking us to choose the best logical connector. The answer must create the right relationship between what comes before and after the blank.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The evidence shows us two key things: (1) adaptive systems demonstrated superior flow performance during peak periods compared to conventional systems, and (2) areas with chronic congestion problems were more likely to have implemented adaptive networks.
- The correct conclusion should connect these findings logically, recognizing that there appears to be a relationship between adaptive technology and better congestion management, without overstating what we can conclude from this evidence.
adaptive routing technology may be connected to improved congestion management capabilities.
- Suggests a connection between adaptive routing technology and improved congestion management.
- This matches our prethinking - it uses cautious language ("may be") that appropriately reflects the evidence without overstating conclusions.
- Directly supported by both key findings.
metropolitan districts face more severe traffic challenges than smaller urban areas do.
- Claims metropolitan districts face more severe challenges than smaller urban areas.
- The passage only discusses metropolitan districts - we have no information about smaller urban areas to make this comparison.
conventional grid systems will likely become obsolete as adaptive networks expand.
- Predicts that conventional grid systems "will likely become obsolete."
- This goes far beyond what the evidence supports - we know adaptive systems perform better, but that doesn't mean conventional systems will disappear.
districts with better traffic flow will soon abandon adaptive networks for conventional approaches.
- Claims districts with better traffic flow will abandon adaptive networks for conventional approaches.
- This directly contradicts the evidence showing adaptive systems have superior performance.