I briefly researched the topic on Wikipedia but was left with no real good answers. I can see high volumes causing this in the right lanes where cars are merging in, but in the speed lane there appears to be no good explanation. Also, a co-worker and I have noticed that traffic is best on days with OK weather but that are overcast. A bright sun seems to have a negative impact on flow.
2006-10-06 05:01:25 · 10 answers · asked by industrialtorture 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Commuting
stupid people!!!!
2006-10-06 05:09:18 · answer #1 · answered by suri cruise 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Every car's change in speed propagates through traffic to a much greater extent than we think it would. Also, that propagation takes time; its effect isn't going to be felt right away at a distance. Cars merging into the right lanes are gradually moving into the left lanes, and that increase in car density will eventually cause a slowdown. When traffic is moving along at 65, but dense, one slowdown can have a particuarly strong effect, and that effect is felt far back, a signficant amount of time after it occurs, so it seems like it's caused by nothing, when it really isn't.
2006-10-06 20:51:56 · answer #2 · answered by James L 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Engineers have used fluid mechanics to accurately estimate traffic behavior. If there is a little turbulence introduced into a freely flowing stream - the slowing fluid is transmitted back to the rest of the flowing fluid. If the turbulenced is removed - the free flow is quickly restored.
2006-10-09 08:27:10 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is called a rolling stall. One vehicle slows down a little, for whatever reason. The one behind sees the braking so brakes a little harder (not knowing how much the one in front is going to slow), and the effect ripples back until it results in vehicles coming to a complete stop.
2006-10-06 05:12:31 · answer #4 · answered by Graham M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
idiot drivers!!! Someone taps on their brakes and it can affect traffic flow for hours. They say that an overcast day is the best for driving.
2006-10-06 05:08:47 · answer #5 · answered by Tazaor 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
To much traffic, road hogs, unexperienced drivers, lookyloos, slow drivers.....
Slow drivers keep in the slow lane and fastlane drivers should try to keep up, these would lessen bottlenecks :)
2006-10-06 05:07:10 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think it's that everyone changes lanes when it is busy, thinking the other lane is going to go faster.
2006-10-06 05:05:57 · answer #7 · answered by bookkeeper 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lots of cars, limited amount of space
2006-10-06 17:19:21 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Someone farted and everyone is slowing down to catch a whiff.
2006-10-06 05:10:49 · answer #9 · answered by pooterosa 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
a Chinese guy trying to drive an standart car
2006-10-06 05:04:28 · answer #10 · answered by layjc01 3 · 1⤊ 3⤋