Anti-traffic destroys traffic - how to alleviate traffic jams

TomF

While surfing I found an essay on how to make traffic move faster by driving slower. It is at <http://www.globalideasbank.org/SD/SD-120.HTML>

TomF

Here's the anti-traffic theorist's FAQ site. It's great reading, and leads you into his larger site.

<http://amasci.com/amateur/traffic/tfaq.html>

Borzoi

Interesting but anecdotal tales from WW2 would suggest that he's wrong. Allied truck convoys had two disciplines
British - Everybody goes at a steady 30mph (or whatever) and keeps the convoy integrity.
American - Everybody goes as fast as possible, convoy integrity is secondary.

Guess what, the yanks convoys would arrive first.

I'd suggest that the slow but steady driver takes as long or longer to get to his destination, but is moving for most of that time, so percieves the trip as less frustrating and faster.

As for the "I'll take it upon myself to manage the traffic" attitude, some people do deserve a good kicking

a_ominous

I've a vague recollection of seeing something similar mentioned on a programme presented by Alan Alda (of M*A*S*H) on Discovery channel.
The particular issue was trying to improve traffic flow after an accident in a tunnel. There were traffic cameras all over the place so things could be closely monitored.

The best flow of traffic was achieved when the cops had an empty road ahead of the accident. Traffic got up to max permitted speed quickly making good progress.
The overall flow of traffic was slower when there was a partial lane opening/closure where cars had to change lane to get around the incident.

I'm sure the programme will be repeated on Discovery at some stage