Mathematicians compute traffic jams

[streaky]

Mathematicians have built a model which shows that heavy braking by one motorist can trigger traffic jams miles behind.

Any user of the M25 could have told them that!

Streaky

[Dogwatch]

Surely it's the reason for the heavy braking which should be investigated - tailgating, dreaming, someone pulls a lane change on you.

Human behaviour doesn't lend itself to mathematical analysis though.

[cptsideways]

Blimey & next they'll work out in five years time that the heavy braking is caused by following too close & not looking far enough ahead


I take it these mathameticians don't drive then

[iaha]

It's probably been looked at before, but here's an interesting model showing the actions that lead to jams

http://www.mtreiber.de/MicroApplet

[Brite spark]

showed this on police camera action a few years ago, car brakes heavily, car behind more so, etc, etc etc until it stops.

Then went onto say that this is why they have the variable speed signs/matrix thus they can slow the traffic down, resulting in no jams but miffed motorists wondering why the signs were there in the first place. However that arguement really doesn't stand up, traffic is already moving at 70ish, signs reduce limit to 50, car brakes, car behind him brakes harder, car behind him brakes harder, etc etc

[Brite spark]

Dogwatch said:

Surely it's the reason for the heavy braking which should be investigated - tailgating, dreaming, someone pulls a lane change on you.

Human behaviour doesn't lend itself to mathematical analysis though.

does that mean they should ban the highways agency from using their current livery?

[Fort Jefferson]

streaky said:

Mathematicians have built a model which shows that heavy braking by one motorist can trigger traffic jams miles behind.

Any user of the M25 could have told them that!

Streaky

Well give them a Blue Peter badge, that has been known, 25 years before the M25 was built.

[SLCZ3]

A very interesting simulation which to my mind is evidence for the addition of an additional lane to all motorways, including the A1, to prevent congestion.
Easy access to the inside lane from the access ramp is obviously a key item so perhaps the highway code should be changed, from matching speed as you join the inside lane, to vehicles already on the inside lane manouvering to allow access from the access ramp.

[streaky]

SLCZ3 said:

A very interesting simulation which to my mind is evidence for the addition of an additional lane to all motorways, including the A1, to prevent congestion.
Easy access to the inside lane from the access ramp is obviously a key item so perhaps the highway code should be changed, from matching speed as you join the inside lane, to vehicles already on the inside lane manouvering to allow access from the access ramp.

As many councils are putting solid white lines across filter lanes and squaring off junctions, it might not be too long before some idiot suggests that similar action on the Motorways will reduce accidents ... not! - Streaky