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From: jlilien@sdcrdcf.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.physics,net.auto
Subject: Re: physical laws of freeway traffic?
Message-ID: <332@sdcrdcf.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 16-Jun-83 09:49:22 EDT
Article-I.D.: sdcrdcf.332
Posted: Thu Jun 16 09:49:22 1983
Date-Received: Sun, 19-Jun-83 04:28:12 EDT
References: <1561@ihnss.UUCP>
Reply-To: jlilien@sdcrdcf.UUCP (Joel Lilienkamp)
Organization: System Development Corporation--a Burroughs Company
Lines: 28

Regarding freeways:  Here in Los Angeles, the main creator of snarls
on freeways are unmetered intersections (such as Santa Monica/San Diego
freeways interchange) and reductions in the number of lanes.  However,
the oscillating effect can be noticed where these do not occur.  I
suspect that the problem is that when stupid drivers begin going up a
hill, they don't understand that they need to give the engine more
throttle or the car will slow down.  This, plus the frustrated drivers
behind them that try to pass them by changing lanes causes the traffic
to slow.  Going down the hills has the opposite effect.  Since the traffic
is very thick (four or more lanes each way as far as the eye can see on
a clear day), one such foulup as this could affect traffic three or four
mile down the road.

Another problem on the freeways here is the impatient driver who is constantly
changing lanes to go a little faster.  The funny thing is that when several
of these types change from one lane to another at about the same time,
there is suddenly a lot of space made in the old lane so the traffic looks
as if it is moving faster.  And so they change again.

It is my belief that traffic would flow much better in rush our if drivers
would endeavor to maintain steady (if slowed) speed and reduce the lane
changes to a minimal.  And drivers that can't drive comfortably in such
traffic and handle it by slowing down to a crawl should choose other roads
to take or other times to drive.  There presence on the road at this time
is the greatest menace of all.  Such is a dream world though; it will
never happen!

	joel