The Physics Behind Traffic Jams
June 29, 2013 10:18 AM   Subscribe

Willam Beaty on conducting various experiments in Seattle traffic to try and make traffic travel more smoothly.
posted by reenum (1 comment total)

This post was deleted for the following reason: We've discussed (MeFi's own billb)'s traffic theories before. -- LobsterMitten



 
so this is great in concept, from the point of view of "we are all rational actors, let's act rationally to solve our problems." However, no matter how well I drive, the guy next to me will drive twice as bad, negating all the gains I have produced. Like any commons, what's needed is not people acting in their own best interest (which, if enlightened, will produce positive gains for everyone) but rather system that can contain the deluge of individuals in a way that produces positive outcomes, i.e. roads that actually are able to handle the amount of traffic that actually flows on them, rules that ensure people use the roads correctly (i.e. don't go slow on the left), and regulation that ensures the rules are being followed and the roads are being maintained.
posted by rebent at 10:24 AM on June 29, 2013


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