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Path: utzoo!linus!genrad!decvax!harpo!floyd!whuxlb!egb
From: egb@whuxlb.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.physics
Subject: Re: physical laws of freeway traffic? - (nf)
Message-ID: <1192@whuxlb.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 24-Jun-83 13:53:35 EDT
Article-I.D.: whuxlb.1192
Posted: Fri Jun 24 13:53:35 1983
Date-Received: Sat, 25-Jun-83 01:43:08 EDT
Lines: 24

#R:ihnss:-156100:whuxlb:6500008:000:898
whuxlb!egb    Jun 24 13:53:00 1983

I dislike the speed up/slow down thing on freeways also.
Several weeks back during a two hour trip on the NJ Turnpike,
I ran into several of the "local moving congestions". After
poking along at about 50 mph for a while, I finally arrived
at the problem. In each case, someone was driving their
car in the middle (of three) lanes at a speed considerably
less than everyone around. Hence, everyone slowed and passed
the .*&^%!~? person at a speed of about 5 mph more than
this turkey was driving. After passing everyone speeded
up to 65 mph again. The lines of cars in all three lines
behind the turkey extended for about 1/2 mile in all cases.

I guess, by the time some people get to the turkey, the turkey
has turned off on an exit. In that case the reason is never seen.

Incidentally, this also happens when the car in question has
a bubble gum machine on its roof.


		Ed Bradford
		harpo!egb