Why do Traffic Jams Occur out of Nowhere?

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  • Опубликовано: 22 дек 2024

Комментарии • 301

  • @bambufan3636
    @bambufan3636 7 лет назад +230

    I always knew the cause of traffic jams were all those a-holes in front of me!

    • @mr.aleximer
      @mr.aleximer 3 года назад +5

      well u were also in front of someone

    • @nolanszeto7099
      @nolanszeto7099 3 года назад +2

      well you (or anyone) may also be one of the ah of 100 other drivers

    • @Goggalor1990
      @Goggalor1990 2 года назад +1

      @@nolanszeto7099 nope. I drive at least the speed limit. no slowdown here

    • @kahbronne7834
      @kahbronne7834 2 года назад +2

      Yes it is I, the a-hole in front of you, in the flesh.

    • @danieljohn4014
      @danieljohn4014 2 года назад +1

      including you.

  • @Azivegu
    @Azivegu 7 лет назад +342

    Pro tip: While stuck in a traffic jam, dont just follow the car in front of you. Look at the car in front of the one before you and see its motion to predict when the car in front of you will make changes to it's speed. That way you improve your timing and keep traffic moving more fluidly. Also, try not to come to a complete stop. It's better to just keep driving at 5 m-/kph consistently than to speed up to 15 and then having to brake.

    • @FloorItDuh
      @FloorItDuh 7 лет назад +30

      Either you drive trucks for a living or you actually know how to drive. I do this myself and it's amazing how you can just keep going if you follow this simple method.

    • @Azivegu
      @Azivegu 7 лет назад +10

      Josh Leviton haha, not a truck driver and currently don't even own a car xD but I know several truckers and try to at least understand why congestion even happens in the first place. Not a perfect driver, but I try to be better

    • @isaackarjala7916
      @isaackarjala7916 6 лет назад +4

      I was doing that in traffic jam where we where limited to one lane. Dude behind me was getting annoyed and trying to rush me. I leaned my chair back and stuck my feet out the window.

    • @Wok_Agenda
      @Wok_Agenda 6 лет назад +3

      I try to do this but since those f suvs became an accessory it is difficult to see

    • @DashCamSerbia
      @DashCamSerbia 4 года назад +2

      99.9% of "drivers" don't understand this! >:(

  • @lifevest1
    @lifevest1 5 лет назад +149

    We need to revise driving tests. We need to teach people how to zipper merge properly and use all lanes in backups. We also need drivers tests to be retaken every 5 years to ensure said driver is still capable.

    • @kentaegreene7926
      @kentaegreene7926 2 года назад

      ruclips.net/video/MyKUBN-hIRM/видео.html

    • @eddy-nd7nh
      @eddy-nd7nh 2 года назад

      5 years is too soon f off

    • @schwaner1000
      @schwaner1000 Год назад +1

      No

    • @Jer19Jr
      @Jer19Jr Год назад +3

      And every 2 years past age 70

    • @skittlescopes4832
      @skittlescopes4832 Год назад +2

      Lol. Don’t even need that. Just make the tests harder… The tests in USA are so ridiculously easy

  • @LoveMashina93
    @LoveMashina93 Год назад +10

    I have had many jobs that require long distance travel, including driving a semi. I'd like to add on to what you're saying in the video. Traffic isn't always human error, it's human impatience and selfishness. "Rush Hour" for example. I tried to keep this short and sweet. I've thought about this quite a bit. I've listed a few things I believe cause around 90% of "Traffic". The truth is if we kept space, pace and drove smoother we'd all get home safer, and faster.
    What causes Phantom Jams: Human Psychology
    1. Tailgating. Often done to prevent people from getting in front of them, and to intimidate people to speed up. Causes people to over-brake out of fear of hitting the vehicle 3 feet in front of them every time they see brake lights resulting in chain reactions. Also, overaccelerating during stop-go traffic which then results in over-braking again.
    2. Lane Weaving. Often done to somehow win an imaginary race. Causes yourself or those you cut off to over-brake resulting in chain reactions.
    Rules of the Road: Preventing Traffic Jams and Accidents.
    1. Change lanes as early and as effortlessly as you can. Find adequate space to prevent person you're cutting in front of from having to slow down to create safe space. Only change lanes when necessary.
    2. Create adequate space for steady braking and those needing to change lanes.
    3. Keep as steady a pace as you're safely able. No sudden braking or overaccelerating that will result in having to suddenly brake.
    TL;DR Respect each other's space, keep a steady pace, change lanes early and signal. (3 Blinks+) Speeding/Weaving doesn't save anywhere near as much time as you think.

    • @BarryMikokinju
      @BarryMikokinju 7 месяцев назад

      You appear to understand
      Wholly agree with all of it

    • @Levi-pn4uy
      @Levi-pn4uy 4 месяца назад +1

      Trucker myself. Totally agree. One thing I've noticed though is that when I signal a lane change, the traffic in the lane I want to move to floors it to get ahead of me before I move. Ends with me not being able to change lanes a lot of the time. I still signal of course, it's just very frustrating.

  • @winonadaphne6445
    @winonadaphne6445 5 лет назад +28

    wait why is watching the cars stop and go again so funny
    it's like watching a group of ducks waddle, pause for no reason, and waddle off again

    • @YouilAushana
      @YouilAushana 2 месяца назад

      Or Plato, Aristotle, marx, engels, Lenin, stalin, moa, Hitler, mousolini, biden and now harris

  • @joebloe4461
    @joebloe4461 7 лет назад +29

    I realized this in middle school gym class, when we would all run around the gym in a big circle. The areas with greater density moved slower because people slowed down to avoid collisions, and this caused a chain reaction.

    • @YouilAushana
      @YouilAushana 2 месяца назад +2

      It was the girls in the class. Selfish, self-centered and looking for attention by any means necessary

  • @rallypacific
    @rallypacific 7 лет назад +24

    Simply slowing without actually braking can really help. As soon as that brake light comes on that shockwave will start.

  • @phynx2006
    @phynx2006 7 лет назад +24

    I work for an Transportation Engineering Firm in Ontario, Canada and that was very well explained Sam, excellent job.

    • @YouFoundMiyes
      @YouFoundMiyes 4 года назад

      Hello, my name is Michael Eke. I'm currently a student of geography and environmental management; if you don't mind, I love to discuss something important with you, kindly get back to me here or through my email address; mychaeleke@gmail.com. Thank you.

  • @TRYtoHELPyou
    @TRYtoHELPyou 7 лет назад +46

    What's crazy... You leave a bit of a gap (large or small) so you can smooth out your own slowing and speeding to then smooth it out overall .... and people behind you want you to fill in the gap and ride the bumper of the person in front of you after passing you. That overhead footage was great! This makes me feel better about the way I drive...

    • @RustOnWheels
      @RustOnWheels 6 лет назад +2

      TRY to HELP you Yup. Two seconds distance makes driving smoother and safer. And then the dick with a BMW, Mercedes or Audi passes you by, tailgating the car in front of you and you have to get off the gas for the safe distance again, only to see another dick race in front. And if enough tailgating dicks are in front of you, tailgating each other, one will inevitably do something that will make them all brake very hard, slowing everything down. So much for your courteous traffic preventing driving…

    • @satan4518
      @satan4518 3 года назад +2

      @@RustOnWheels you just have to not exaggerate with the gap in front of you. Some of y’all motherfuckers will leave 2 miles of space in front of you and go 10 miles below speed limit. People got places to be, I always merge right if I’m going to be cruising.

  • @waynehearst317
    @waynehearst317 2 года назад +4

    how does this video not have millions of views? I know at least 100 million people have seriously lamented about this.

    • @pcongre
      @pcongre 2 месяца назад

      I mean... this video is not exactly wrong, but it's far from being complete - there's at least one reason for congestion that is much more relevant and that won't go away with e-car robotaxis or the like -> induced traffic

    • @waynehearst317
      @waynehearst317 2 месяца назад

      @@pcongre thats why we all need to have vehicles with dynamic speed control. My 2021 truck has it and I drove from Utah to California and mostly never touched the brakes or accelerator pedals. If the computer is maintaining your speed and distance, it takes the human fallacy out of the equation and traffic is minimized. And I don't want to hear about how you cant trust the technology, i'm old enough to remember those who resisted electric windows and door locks...for a decade people fought against them, now they're not even an option.

    • @pcongre
      @pcongre 2 месяца назад

      @@waynehearst317 sure, the technology will probably be trustworthy sometime in the future and help with human error - but again, the video doesn't even mention the main reason for congestion (i e induced traffic, which can't be countered through some future tech)

  • @phishENchimps
    @phishENchimps Год назад +6

    While driving through Vermont, I did encounter a few traffic jams, but they were a bit different. people didn't fight for each spot and the whole flow slowly moved. people also gave more space between each other, and with out someone racing up alongside, people respected it.

  • @M4B3THinSPACE
    @M4B3THinSPACE 7 лет назад +69

    They should re-do that circle car test again with driveless cars to see if a jam occurs

    • @squidgrill
      @squidgrill 6 лет назад +3

      M4B3THinSPACE It probably won’t, even if they aren’t coordinated with eachother if they were programmed to stay in the middle nothing should happen

    • @jaquelinealmazan1810
      @jaquelinealmazan1810 3 года назад +3

      @@squidgrill everything works in its theoretical form

  • @Westcoastmickey
    @Westcoastmickey Год назад +3

    you forgot the most important rule staying to the right lane unless you are passing someone

  • @mikegillihan4546
    @mikegillihan4546 5 лет назад +10

    The 3 second rule works great for following distance. It works well at all speeds. Sadly it is mostly unknown on California freeways.

  • @JeremyBX
    @JeremyBX 2 года назад +6

    I had a feelling that traffic was started by some guy cutting some other guy off 14 minutes ago, but that equation you showed us was insane, and now I have another reason for why they teach us so much seemingly absurd math concepts in college.

    • @wbeaty
      @wbeaty Год назад

      When traffic becomes "unstable," then even your own engine-variations will trigger a huge jam. It's not humans who do it. Instead, it's "supersaturation," plus a tiny bit of "noise" to act like a "seed." But yes, large noise from humans suddenly hitting the gas pedal, that will trigger the jam much earlier than otherwise.

  • @SpectralightPhoto
    @SpectralightPhoto 7 лет назад +4

    My favorite bumper sticker reads, "If I'm passing you on your right... you're an IDIOT!"

  • @gnetkuji
    @gnetkuji 7 лет назад +14

    I mean, trains work pretty good and they're already automated enough by virtue of having an exact set route to travel that they're very often on time in most places that use them.

    • @outhere8690
      @outhere8690 5 лет назад +2

      gnet kuji - exactly!

    • @micosstar
      @micosstar 11 месяцев назад

      concur with @gnetkuji!@@outhere8690

  • @cheyennenguyen9771
    @cheyennenguyen9771 5 лет назад +1

    thank you for simplifying the reason why instead of getting too technical

  • @averyellis
    @averyellis 6 месяцев назад +1

    1:05 “if we were all machines” a great case for automated driving, I say.

  • @superWTF64lol
    @superWTF64lol 7 лет назад +11

    *FOLLOWING*
    *DISTANCE*
    *IS*
    *VERY*
    *UNDERRATED*
    Nobody cares about it, but the best way to go is to match the speed of the vehicle in front of you at a safe distance.
    ALWAYS USE IT, it's safe, it helps traffic, isn't tailgating, and is always a great rule of thumb.
    Although you can't prevent traffic jams, it always makes traffic flow smoothly until one happens.
    It all comes down to the person at the front of traffic, where vehicles come into clumps from yellow light transitions. That person usually has a tendency to go faster, since he doesn't need to worry about vehicles being in front of him. Next, the people behind him follow suit, and soon the entire line of traffic moves faster.
    Just as long as the line of traffic can settle on a speed, everything goes so much faster, it's just when one person slows down that ruins the entire thing, which is most commonly not using the deceleration lane, or large vehicles like semi trucks

  • @averyellis
    @averyellis 6 месяцев назад

    I started noticing this when I was driving a lot in my 20s in the 90s. I’ve always kicked myself for not realizing this could have been an emerging market, but not like they offered courses in this back then.
    Mysterious slowdowns still fascinate me because they are like an echo of something that happened even hours ago.

  • @WetDoggo
    @WetDoggo 7 лет назад +5

    It's mostly unattended people who suddenly get frightened from the speed or people in front of them braking a bit, the unattended people are breaking faster and harder... More of those people behind them cause more breaking

  • @MRozzaqYusaliano
    @MRozzaqYusaliano 7 лет назад +13

    *mandatory CGP Grey reference*

    • @MRozzaqYusaliano
      @MRozzaqYusaliano 7 лет назад

      adolf hitler mandatory comment that mentioned your name and your deeds and connects them with the video

  • @MusiCaninesTheMusicalDogs
    @MusiCaninesTheMusicalDogs 7 лет назад +9

    It's been eleven years without a car for me, which means I almost forgot what traffic jams are.
    I use a bike most of the time.

    • @donkraus1991
      @donkraus1991 5 месяцев назад +1

      We do not own any cars. We have bicycles, take the bus, use the metro and our monthly expense for all of this is 70.00 / month for both of us, so 840.00 / yr. No tires,gas, insurance,and happier

  • @omarhern84
    @omarhern84 7 лет назад +9

    I like the car at 2:35 that bypasses all the traffic via the side route. We all see him, and we’re all made because we didn’t do it.

  • @davidjenson1570
    @davidjenson1570 7 лет назад +6

    I think it's called rubbernecking where someone starts looking at what the person in the car next to them is doing, and then everyone else is curious as to what that guy is looking at, and before you know it, everything is slowed down to ten miles an hour. Yes, that's probably right. It's all about us silly humans. :)

  • @cmuller1441
    @cmuller1441 7 лет назад +2

    The wave of cars breaking is not fading away because as it propagates drivers are breaking harder and harder until finally one completely stops. Solution: maintain a safe distance and try to keep it equal to the distance to the car following you. When someone breaks, try to react fast but gently (ideally by breaking less than the car before you but avoid bumping it...). Also avoid changing lanes because it creates a seed for the breaking wave.

  • @jaimie00
    @jaimie00 7 лет назад +50

    Bring on those driverless cars! No more need to own your own (but you could if you wanted), fewer accidents, fewer traffic jams, less overall time spent commuting...I want that future.

    • @Hugh.Manatee
      @Hugh.Manatee 7 лет назад +4

      Bring on our robot overlords please!

    • @FloorItDuh
      @FloorItDuh 7 лет назад +1

      Driving is a privilege not a right. If we actually made licensing requirements and testing that actually required you to study and have actual skill we would have a lot less problems but in the states we all but hand people a license and they are ill prepared to drive as a result and either develop bad habits that stick with them or just don't immediately have the knowledge necessary right off the bat to know how to drive properly and thus it effects everyone else on the road.

    • @beatersho3497
      @beatersho3497 7 лет назад +4

      No! I love driving! Driverless cars sounds terrible!

    • @matthewmann8951
      @matthewmann8951 6 лет назад +1

      Jaimes I love driving my classic cars, working on them the satisfaction brings me great joy, I am also aware that some people wish to not drive, every one should be able to do as 1 choses to do. I see driving as a privelage others see it as burdensome. Don't push driverless cars on me I won't push driven vehicles on any one as well. And we'll all be just so happy, Anyhoo happy motoring how ever you choose and I'll see you around the block. Thanks for sharing later my brother. Peace

  • @SlashinatorZ
    @SlashinatorZ 7 месяцев назад

    Just got out of a Houston category 5 traffic jam near the NRG center. I was driving back home from a different event.

  • @TiesOfZip
    @TiesOfZip Год назад +3

    It may new a relatively new idea to the people paid by the government to learn these things, but to anyone that actually pays attention while on their commute, this shit has been obvious for decades. All it takes is one idiot to overreact and stab the brakes and one more idiot to be too close and the cycle just perpetuates. Thanks captains obvious.

    • @KevinDurette
      @KevinDurette 11 месяцев назад

      and then after stabbing their brakes, they'll put on a temper tantrum by not accelerating again just a show everyone either how angry they are or how safe they are, as if it doesn't count unless somebody sees you braking

  • @Malconten
    @Malconten 7 лет назад +3

    A "poorly time lane change" AKA - a dick move. I've seen this about everytime I go for a drive, and that's not only on highways.

  • @OneUpdateataTime
    @OneUpdateataTime 7 лет назад +2

    I've never been more prepared for driverless cars

  • @FloorItDuh
    @FloorItDuh 7 лет назад +37

    Simple solution, don't be an RJW (road justice warrior as I call them). You're not a cop. don't camp the left lane if you aren't passing or speeding and if someone wants to go faster than you just let them be on their way. It's not your problem. Another thing is don't be a dick in general. If someone wants to get over let them over. On top of that if you know you're getting off prepare well in advance so you aren't swapping lanes at the last minute. This will cut down on phantom jams especially during commutes where there is no accidents. I was stationed in Germany for 2 years and people commonly followed these similar rules as well as the zipper method and traffic jams outside of accidents on the autobahn were rare.
    Literally on my commute people slow down unnecessarily for turns and as a result it causes phantom traffic jams that last for an hour for no reason.

    • @SuperVstech
      @SuperVstech 7 лет назад +2

      Josh Leviton ... yup.
      Here in NC, a law was shot down to make it illegal to hog the left lane...
      The gist of the rejection was, punishing law abiding drivers traveling the correct speed in the passing lane should not be the officers goal...
      Stupid.
      The goal of the officers should be to prevent accidents. And shitty drivers camping in the passing lane causes hot headed drivers to rapidly change lanes, and drive even shittier...

    • @Quintinohthree
      @Quintinohthree 7 лет назад +1

      Josh Leviton A nice game to play with middle lane hoggers on 3-or-more-lane roads: overtake on their left, move over two lanes to the right (making sure to indicate before and during each lane change and to stay in front of them for a little while before the second land change), then slow down and have them overtake you. If you're lucky, they'll get the message and move over to the right lane. If not, repeat untill they do or you figure you've got better things to do with your time.
      Anyway, lane discipline and driving at a constant speed preferably one that many others on the same stretch of road have adopted are no doubt the best ways to prevent traffic jams. On my way to and from work I'll often find rows of cars bumper to bumper in the left lane (2-lane highway) going a bit less than the 120k speed limit and occasionally overtaking a truck doing their electronically limited 80k in the right lane or some other car doing maybe 100k. Meanwhile I try to also do 120k taking advantage of my adjustable speed limiter (essentially cruise control except with a maximum rather than a minimum speed) to keep my speed as constant as possible and I'll be switching lanes to stay in the right lane unless I'm overtaking a slower vehicle. All this time I think of how dangerous staying in the left lane can be when a car in front of such a line suddenly brakes and everyone behind them barely has time to respond, but then I think to myself of all that space ahead of me that keeps me safe.

    • @notsoperfectlyme7276
      @notsoperfectlyme7276 7 лет назад +2

      I stay in the left lane when driving through down town to avoid all the mix master business.....people taking 3 lanes at a time in the last possible second, people merging on/ off, etc....(that, and my exit is a left exit) If some jackass wants to ride my butt I will make a change IF and ONLY IF I can do so safely. Otherwise, they are going to have to simmer till it is possible. I am not going to wreck my car because someone else wants to drive like a fool, especially when I am already going well over the speed limit.
      The fool that whips around 70mph traffic doing 90 has only him/herself to blame when s/he eventually crashes.

    • @BlueScapegoat
      @BlueScapegoat 7 лет назад +1

      In heavily congested city traffic where the left lane is clogged anyway, like what it sounds like you're describing, this makes sense. There's this grey inbetween where Josh is talking about where people hold up traffic for no reason. If there's nobody in front of you, and people behind you, you're in the wrong lane.

    • @ZechsMerquise73
      @ZechsMerquise73 7 лет назад +2

      About phantom jams, people need to be ready before the car in front of them begins to accelerate. I see so many drivers act as if a stopped or slowed car in front of them is a stop sign. They wait until there's a whole car length or more in front before they begin to drive again. It really annoys me when I leave someone like that in the dust and then suddenly they're right behind me again because having a terrible reaction time isn't enough, they have to speed too.

  • @wakcedout
    @wakcedout 10 месяцев назад

    The roads you show…..ohhhh how those stretches are my bane and sooo damn many people on them are usually in their damn phone paying zero attention, or jumping ahead to get the one car length when everything’s a clusterfuck.
    It’s usually when I’m trying to get out of that area when I deal with the worst of that…..to say it aggravates me would be an understatement lol.

  • @JeroenTrappers
    @JeroenTrappers 7 лет назад +2

    Humans will never have adequate responses. There's always some jerk on the road causing these kinds of shockwave jams. In the Netherlands there is an app that will reward you to "regulate" traffic dynamically, trying to compensate for too much traffic.

    • @Quintinohthree
      @Quintinohthree 7 лет назад +1

      Jeroen Trappers I've never heard of this app. What's it called?

  • @inyobill
    @inyobill 3 года назад +1

    Why do people wait leaving a stop light to allow 2-3 times the space in front of them than they will typically allow when moving at 120 kmh?

  • @TheSmokekoke
    @TheSmokekoke 7 лет назад +2

    I think soon there will be enough self driving cars for my idea to work. What if not necessary all cars will be without a driver but instead whenever a bunch of cars are in a jam they enter a synch mode so they will automated only in the given instance

  • @thefierydemon9364
    @thefierydemon9364 6 месяцев назад +4

    so basically traffic jams happens from people just being ignorant.

  • @jasonvengroff1396
    @jasonvengroff1396 7 лет назад +1

    Ya not sure how I got here ...
    But Ya great Video this deserves a lot more hits ...
    it's genius!!!!!
    Peace

  • @kfrank73
    @kfrank73 Год назад

    I mean, this video is like so seriously good!

  • @air1fire
    @air1fire 6 лет назад +1

    This is beautiful in a way.

  • @charde9739
    @charde9739 2 месяца назад

    One of the stupidest things that ever came into existence is the hands-free phone model, where you can glue your phone to your windshield right in front of your eyes so you can watch movies as you’re driving on a busy freeway

  • @busyrand
    @busyrand 7 лет назад

    Beautiful City... Very informative video!

  • @Track1productions
    @Track1productions Год назад +1

    So the reason is exactly what I thought it was bad driving

  • @ZGamingGuy
    @ZGamingGuy 4 года назад +1

    I blame the ass hats that just HAVE to wait till the last second to get off the exit lane, and force everyone behind to stop. Is it really so hard to just go the God damn speed limit

  • @jenni1948
    @jenni1948 2 года назад

    I’m in the middle of traffic… always had this question on my mind when i was little… today I search it up… i learned something new. Keep in mind… I’m 20 😂

  • @mrmacross
    @mrmacross Год назад +1

    You give humanity too much credit. It's often not the result of innocent mistakes, but rather some dude decided to speed up, cut into your lane, and then hit the brakes. Yeah, said guy probably didn't intend on causing a chain reaction traffic jam, but he tried to save himself as much time as possible and didn't care for the ramifications. And there are a lot of those guys on the road.
    In other words, traffic jams are often empirical examples of the prisoner's dilemma.

  • @ripwolfe
    @ripwolfe 7 лет назад +12

    It's worse than just human error that causes these jams; it's bad habits and outright inattention to the rest of the highway. Folks who don't accelerate going up an hill to keep highway speeds, or people who simply pace each other. At least once a day, on a mostly empty freeway, I'll see someone just randomly tap their brakes to some phantom menace despite no other car being ahead or behind them -- do that on slightly more congested roads and watch the traffic build up.

    • @boomstick900
      @boomstick900 7 лет назад

      I suspect that a fair few of those people who tap the brakes for seemingly no reason, are actually driving with their left foot hovering over the brake pedal at all times. That was my younger sister's first instinct, she thought the left pedal was for her left foot, and the right pedal for her right foot.

    • @Quintinohthree
      @Quintinohthree 7 лет назад +3

      boomstick900 Should have started her on a manual car. She wouldn't have thought that when confronted with three pedals.
      To be fair, not all cars have a dead pedal to rest the left foot on.

    • @MusiCaninesTheMusicalDogs
      @MusiCaninesTheMusicalDogs 7 лет назад

      Adam Kecskes Yup. The problem is always the others. Always.

  • @blackkittycat15
    @blackkittycat15 Год назад

    So many people call engineers smart, but every one I met relies too much on math instead of observation. Then again my solution would be public transit, I went to Japan and loved how easy it was to get anywhere. The Tokyo subway was great, and for traveling further trains and buses go to most towns.

  • @PricillaPrincess
    @PricillaPrincess 2 года назад

    Watching this in traffic right now! What should’ve been a 10 minute drive became a 50 minute drive real quick.

  • @morningcoffee3121
    @morningcoffee3121 7 лет назад +18

    here's a simpler solution...BETTER MASS TRANSPORTATION!!! although self-driving cars sounds great, the problem comes from the human driver AND the number of cars in general. With human drivers naturally shockwave traffic will occur and placing robots to drive will pose the same number of problems it should be fixing. Better mass transportation on the other hand would seem to be a better option as it puts a high density of commuters in the same place which means less low density cars on the road and wether the vehicle is human operated or self-driving this will solve the two problems. But that's just my opinion, I live in the Philippines and the traffic here is terrible...from what I have observe without better mass transportation people will buy cars for their own convenience adding more cars to cause traffic and the public utility vehicles (jeepneys, the equivalent of city buses but worst) here are bad or more specifically the drivers as they make sharp turns from the middle of the road to the side to unload the passengers this causes a shockwave traffic immediately esspecially when there's a lot of cars behind.

    • @contrarianduude3463
      @contrarianduude3463 6 лет назад

      I've lived in some pretty big cities that had mass transits systems. The buses, trolleys and trains were virtually empty. Most people just want their own little travel bubble(car). L.A. is a prime example of this. Instead they just keep building more roads. Traffic would be going along at 20 MPH and i would zip past a bus with 8 people on it(I was on a motorcycle).

  • @timholstpetersen79
    @timholstpetersen79 Год назад +1

    I've long had a suspicion that unnecessary braking (turning on the brake light) will cause jams. The guyy in fron of you brakes (instead of just lifting his foot off of the speeder), you brake because you think there is an obstrction in front of him, the guy behind you does the same, and so on... and I suspect this will only get a lot worse, with modern electric cars, that turn on the brake light without you touching the brake pedal.

    • @IM-qy7mf
      @IM-qy7mf Год назад

      It's always the other person's fault, isn't it? Unless you're following too close, you wouldn't need to brake hard, if at all. And if you brake hard, then the person in front of you likely slammed their brakes *for a good reason* . In addition to all that is mentioned in this video, teaching people to have a basic level of trust and respect in their fellow driver's abilities would also do a ton of good for the collective.
      What you see as "unnecessary" was necessary enough for that driver.

    • @kellymcdermott2546
      @kellymcdermott2546 22 дня назад

      There are 2 kinds of driver: 1) accelerator drivers; they will slow down by lifting off the accelerator.
      2) brake drivers; They will slow down by using the BRAKES, EVERY time, eveen when brakes are not necesary, often over brake then acelerate back up to target speed.

  • @Gk2003m
    @Gk2003m 5 месяцев назад

    2:18: it’s not ‘theory’. It’s HYPOTHESIS. All those equations and whatnot were valid attempts to come to terms with the problem of traffic, but they were not theories. It’s maddening to watch who set themselves up as ‘authorities’ utterly fail to grasp the enormous gulf between a theory and a hypothesis.

  • @kevinmcdonald5316
    @kevinmcdonald5316 5 лет назад +3

    Who else is watching this while in a traffic jam?

    • @timsalman8358
      @timsalman8358 5 лет назад

      Kevin Mcdonald I know I am😂😂

  • @KevinDurette
    @KevinDurette 11 месяцев назад

    Our driver education is always, "Slow down. Slow down." Now we wonder why everyone hovers over their brake pedal, always ready to grossly overreact instead of judging and estimating. People also don't know how to drive in compromised traction conditions because they think the brake pedal is the "safe" pedal when a little smooth steering was all it would have taken to keep them out of the guardrail.

  • @1anya7d
    @1anya7d 6 лет назад

    I love his humor

  • @crystlejenson4003
    @crystlejenson4003 2 года назад

    Everyone at weddings tapped on my shoulder saying you're next so I started doing it at funerals

  • @aknightthatsaysnee5259
    @aknightthatsaysnee5259 6 лет назад +1

    Imagine being a teenager when all there is are driverless cars?! LOL

  • @mikemicalroman
    @mikemicalroman 11 месяцев назад

    I like how the only solution proposed to fix ths was jokingly "Robot cars". As if public transportation hasn't been proven to be better at getting people to their destinations faster and safer. I live in Houston, one of the worst cities in comuter time. I wish we had trains

  • @bugattiveyron2923
    @bugattiveyron2923 6 лет назад

    0:03 - Hey Vsauce, Michael here.

  • @ilovechocolate70
    @ilovechocolate70 5 лет назад

    Great channel :)

  • @robd1859
    @robd1859 2 года назад +1

    Because idiots will create an accident and then decide they're going to just stop right in the middle of the damn interstate rather than pulling to the side of the road. This ladies and gentlemen is what creates the traffic jam but you can't fix stupid

  • @cupfulofeathers
    @cupfulofeathers 7 лет назад

    Great video! I was wondering this recently, so thanks for anticipating my needs! :P

  • @teriscallon
    @teriscallon 7 лет назад

    this makes a ton of sense

  • @jameseldridge3445
    @jameseldridge3445 2 года назад +1

    It’s literally one slow person who clogs it. If everyone had a sense of urgency they would never happen.

  • @LeahandLevi
    @LeahandLevi 7 лет назад

    I feel like there a call for public transit in here somewhere???

    • @squidgrill
      @squidgrill 6 лет назад

      Levi Hildebrand unfortunately most American cities are fucking huge and most public transport (other than busses I suppose) would be expensive. They were prettt much just built for cars, hopefully that can change, though.

  • @butchpam
    @butchpam 10 месяцев назад

    Funny. Liked and subscribed too fellow vloggers

  • @jaredwblack
    @jaredwblack 7 лет назад

    I'll bet the traffic is one thing Craig doesn't miss about Chicago!

  • @lejonsewell2755
    @lejonsewell2755 Год назад

    So why do they happen at the same times in the same area day after day!?

  • @BlueScapegoat
    @BlueScapegoat 7 лет назад +1

    People that hit the brakes for no reason. Just coast. When you hit the brakes for no reason, the guy behind you hits the brakes because he thinks you're stopping. It turns off your cruise control because it has to. Use the cancel button if you need to slow down and you're not braking.
    I daily drive a tall vehicle and I see the chain of idiots braking for no reason in front of me and I just gradually slow down to try to absorb their effect on the 500 drivers behind me. Even when I drive one of my lower cars I leave a bit of extra gap and coast for a bit before braking because 90% of the time the guy in front of me is just stabbing the pedal out of fear

  • @joshuaking5519
    @joshuaking5519 Год назад +1

    So in other words, Idiots. That’s why there’s traffic.

  • @bonniegaither3994
    @bonniegaither3994 3 года назад

    It’s like Christmas lights one person slows down they all slow down.

  • @nikkiabasargin9337
    @nikkiabasargin9337 2 года назад

    Watching this during traffic jam

  • @MrAdriansoto21
    @MrAdriansoto21 7 лет назад

    Haha "Host, Traffic Enthusiast."

  • @chrisst8922
    @chrisst8922 Год назад

    It's gotta be because of all the speed limits. No wonder there's queues when everybody can't put their foot down.

  • @creeib
    @creeib 11 месяцев назад

    You are NOT stuck in traffic.
    You are the traffic

  • @77soundwave77
    @77soundwave77 3 года назад +1

    In my country, from my observation it's always the bad lane changes that screws up the entire flow and cause jams.
    These shitty drivers would go from the furthest left lane to furthest right lane for their exit (in a 4 lane highway). What I think they should improve is their trip planning. If you wanna go to City A for example and you know the highway exit for it is 2km away on the left, you should've stayed on the left lane while the traffic was still smooth and not do a last minute change and fuck up the entire flow of the road.

    • @satan4518
      @satan4518 3 года назад

      Exactly lmfao. Pisses me off when people don’t know where the fuck they’re going like nearly the entire world has a computer at their damn fingertips to tell you when your exit is. It’s not that hard lol

  • @michaelbustillo-sakhai5163
    @michaelbustillo-sakhai5163 2 года назад +1

    A train of driverless cars sounds like the perfect solution / s.

  • @Kimbuja777
    @Kimbuja777 3 года назад +1

    If you don't know how to properly drive your car on the highway, stay off the passing lane. I see drivers on the passing lane matching the speed of the car in the middle lane and not letting drivers like me behind him or her pass. Inconsiderate drivers.

  • @acela12
    @acela12 7 лет назад +2

    Also big part of traffic is drivers not knowing rules of the road. Left lane is for passing. Every morning I consistently will have to pass cars on the right because they just sit in the left lane (20-30 cars in less than 20 mile stretch). Also people don't realize that lifting off the accelerator pedal will slow you down and constantly brake tap leaving the people behind to have to guess how hard they have to stop.

    • @MrGettinlate
      @MrGettinlate 2 года назад +2

      Left lane for passing works great in remote areas/small towns/light traffic areas, but in metro areas where there are 4-6 lanes in both directions and all of those lanes are saturated with vehicles, well. . .

  • @Goggalor1990
    @Goggalor1990 2 года назад +3

    it's because of 1 or 2 slow ass drivers

    • @Young_Dab
      @Young_Dab 2 года назад

      Exactly! I've seen 2 cars on a 2 lane highway remain side by side with one another causing build up behind them. They were doing the speed limit which is legal but there's signs on the road that says "slower traffic keep right" meaning faster traffic is allowed in the left lane but those 2 idiots didn't gaf. Really grinds my gears

    • @jameseldridge3445
      @jameseldridge3445 2 года назад

      Thank u

  • @TheRealHypervizor
    @TheRealHypervizor Год назад

    just need people to give each other like 3 car lengths and no last second merging.

  • @jons2447
    @jons2447 6 лет назад +1

    Hello, all;
    Traffic 'jams' are caused by people that refuse to obey [read 'submit to' traffic laws.
    This video got the main point, people cause traffic & jams, but it missed the part about 'how'; It's because some people feel compelled to drive too fast, some others are compelled to drive too slow, & the result is a traffic jam.
    This is also the main cause of accidents, too.
    So, just think of all the time we could save, & the lives & the money, if all these idiots would just DO THE RIGHT THING!
    Driving is a 'privilege', so each of us *should* do it properly.
    Unfortunately, far too many of us think the 'rules don't apply' to me.
    So as long as people refuse to oey the law & follow the rules, expect more of the same.
    PREDICTION:
    When people get bad enough there will be even worse jams & some will respond w/ violence. Look out for it.
    Have a GREAT day, Neighbors!

  • @infinitworld7106
    @infinitworld7106 7 лет назад

    Well that's one more big reasons why to support autonomous vehicles

  • @SquiggsMitchell
    @SquiggsMitchell 7 лет назад

    I can't wait for driverless cars so people don't have to put up with me on the road anymore lol

  • @Rubik321
    @Rubik321 7 лет назад

    Am I the only one that noticed that the url almost says: "Mr. Duck" in the random characters?

  • @inyobill
    @inyobill 3 года назад +1

    By all appearances, people will not learn to drive, robot traffic, if it's affordable (there will be savings - fewer accidents for one) will be the only answer. I'll hate it, I love to drive, but I'll probably be dead, anyway.

  • @icanhaskpop1239
    @icanhaskpop1239 Год назад

    Okay, but many people can be taught to be BETTER drivers. It's not only a matter of just being human, a LOT of people just SUCK at driving, period. Improper braking, taking too long to accelerate, not using turn signals, tailgating, distracted by their PHONES, etc. These are the traits of idiots who just don't care or don't KNOW how to properly drive, but were given a license because they JUST BARELY passed the exams. (They may have been taught by their parents, who were already idiot drivers, so the idiocy gets handed down.) And let's not get started on the number of people who have had their licenses suspended for one reason or another (probably because they're idiots and suck at driving) but continue to drive.

  • @gNatflaps
    @gNatflaps 7 лет назад +4

    The best way to get rid of traffic is to get more people off the road, and the way to do that is to expand the US rail network.
    While traffic exists in other countries, it's nowhere near to the extent of traffic in the US. Our population is so dependent on a road structure that cannot support the capacity of drivers we have, all because GM systematically destroyed every major public transit system and rail company in the country.

  • @delcat8168
    @delcat8168 6 месяцев назад

    Because people follow too close, then brake instead of just lifting off the accelerator to maintain distance.

  • @nhanha7433
    @nhanha7433 3 года назад

    And accident frequently while moving same directions

  • @cameo64
    @cameo64 7 лет назад

    About the super complicated equation, its the continuity equation of fluids and its super easy compared to the other equations. Check out the linear momentum equation or friction factor equation for turbulent flow.

  • @kingsolo6241
    @kingsolo6241 4 года назад

    Flying cars are the exact answer. The higher we get off the surface the more room we gain. This should’ve happened already.

  • @ZenMuff1n
    @ZenMuff1n 7 лет назад

    This topic has been done like 5 times this year by different youtubers.

  • @SaveaJo
    @SaveaJo 11 месяцев назад

    How hard is it to leave at least 2 car lengths in front of you.

  • @ruarimaccormack4089
    @ruarimaccormack4089 День назад

    The permanent answer is transit and less car dependence as a society.

  • @Verse_Jumper
    @Verse_Jumper 5 лет назад

    So what you’re saying is what I’ve been saying this whole time. “None if you Mother fuckers know how to drive so get off the road”

  • @HeyHeyChey
    @HeyHeyChey 7 лет назад

    My point is... those jams are quite insignificant anyway, aren't they?

  • @donkraus1991
    @donkraus1991 5 месяцев назад

    Mass transit ! Just wait til the subsidies on gas go away.Yeah, $7-8 / gal. Less cars, bike more, bus more, train more!

  • @privettoli
    @privettoli 5 лет назад +1

    I noticed that speeding creates traffic jams because people do not limit how much over speed limit to go, so one would go +5, another +10, another +15. Bam! You have a traffic jam. Also I noticed that if I go within the speed limit, I rarely ever happen to be stuck in a jam. DFW area, Texas

    • @SuperDaveguitar
      @SuperDaveguitar 2 года назад

      Would you explain how speeding causes a traffic jam?

    • @privettoli
      @privettoli 2 года назад +3

      @@SuperDaveguitar now I don't claim I'm an expert who understands how this works in theory, I just report my observations. The way how I see it, when people go a lot over the limit on a fast road that merges into a slower road (less safe or speed limit is different), instead of the vehicles being distributed proportionally similarly how they entered the highway, because they all exceeded the legal speed and caught each other, they end up driving together, like a traffic snake.

    • @SuperDaveguitar
      @SuperDaveguitar 2 года назад

      @@privettoli Ah, yes... the inconsistent speed causes bunching of the cars and increased braking. Thank you for explaining. I think that concept of inconsistent speed causing bunching is pretty well established.