Traffic Jams explained by Japanese Researchers, cured by Bikehugger

by Dave R.

March 4, 2008 · 9:48 PM

Cool video and explanation of why traffic jams occur on otherwise un-obstructed roads, courtesy of New Journal of Physics and the The Lede blog at the New York Times. Apparently the key factor is traffic density. As a multi-modal commuter I see (and participate) in these all the time. The funny thing is that this justifies the smug feeling you’re getting as you blow by the car-muters stuck in traffic – you’re not just going faster, you’re doing your part to reduce vehicle density and pointless traffic jams. Try not to lord it over the trapped-in-traffic though, they’re already frustrated enough.

2 Comments

Brent Shultz

March 4, 2008 · 9:17 PM

Reminded me of a site I came upon several years ago that digs into the cause and effect of “traffic waves”:
http://www.eskimo.com/~billb/amateur/traffic/traffic1.html

I get to watch this effect every day at a four-way intersection that’s is backed up one to two blocks in either direction leading in, with almost no cars to be seen immediately after. Feels pretty nice to roll right on by all of them in the bike lane…

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cafn8

March 5, 2008 · 5:59 AM

Brent Schultz, I’m glad you remembered where to find that. I’ve seen it too, but couldn’t remember where. The nice thing to know is that drivers can help to disperse the traffic waves by increasing following distances and avoiding sudden changes in speed. That assumes, of course that nobody fills the space that you’re leaving in front of yourself, causing you you brake suddenly.

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