TOPIC 71 Traffic here in Waymarsh is becoming a problem Although just three years ago a state traffic survey showed that the typical driving commuter took 20 minutes to get to work the commute now takes closer to 40 minutes according to the survey just co

The author recommends that Waymarsh could follow the policy implemented in Garville in solving the traffic problem. To substantiate this recommendation, the author points out that people take more time to get to work now according two surveys. The author also cites that the commuting time in Garville have reduced significantly after government carry out a policy. Close check of these supporting evidences, however, reveal that it leads little credible support to the recommendation.

Firstly, in order to assess the author’s claims, we would need the evidence that whether or not average commute distance that people from Waymarsh take to work daily have changed significantly in the past 3 years. Perhaps the average commute distance has increased significantly. For example, most of residents may have been moved from the center of Waymarsh to the suburb, where they could have a breath of fresh air. Specifically, three years ago, the average commute distance maybe 4 miles. But it may rise to 20 miles now. Comparing these two data, we would easily found that people who driving longer distance would spend more time on commuting. Clearly, if we verify that the average commute distance have extended dramatically, it would weaken the author’s argument that the traffic problem result in the longer commuting time.

Secondly, another piece of evidence about the proportion of automobiles using for commuting during the rush hours would be helpful in evaluating the conclusion. It is possible that commuter’s cars only account for a few percentages. If Waymarsh is a tourist resort, attracting people all over the world, tourist cars would occupy a very high percentage . On the contrary, commuting cars only account for a smaller percentage. Such as 500 tourist bus verse 50 commuting cars in roads of Waymarsh. In that case, even Waymarsh display the policy, which encouraging commuters sharing rides to work, the total number of vehicles would not decrease significantly. So traffic congestion would be still there. It would undermine the author’s claims if we evinced that commuting cars merely had occupied a few percentage in the total vehicles.

Thirdly, we would also need to know the economic condition of Waymarsh to make evaluations. How much financial income and expenses for government of Waymarsh? We do not know. If they have had big fiscal deficits, it would impossible for them to pay for free gas. Moreover, Garvill has took the measure only one year, it may affordable for them. Whether government able to pay the spending of free gas in two years or five years is remain unknown. If it turn out that the economic condition of Waymarsh was apparently grim, it would significantly impaired the author’s conclusion.

In conclusion, the author cannot justify the recommendation on the basis of the evidence provided in the letter. To bolster it, the author must provide the distance for commuting in the two surveys, the proportion of different automobiles during the rush hours, and financial situation in Waymarsh.