Comments on: What’s the Effect of Rubbernecking on Traffic Flow? http://www.howwedrive.com/2009/03/10/whats-the-effect-of-rubbernecking-on-traffic-flow/ Just another WordPress weblog Mon, 21 May 2012 19:16:26 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Nick http://www.howwedrive.com/2009/03/10/whats-the-effect-of-rubbernecking-on-traffic-flow/#comment-6531 Nick Fri, 13 Mar 2009 03:15:36 +0000 http://www.howwedrive.com/?p=698#comment-6531 I have an alternate theory about rubbernecking. People over-drive their reaction time all the time on crowded roads because they assume there's nothing there because the car in front of them is doing fine. When there is an unusual circumstance they quite rationally slow down to a speed where they can actually control their vehicle. It's not a moral failing, it's sensible behavior. I have an alternate theory about rubbernecking. People over-drive their reaction time all the time on crowded roads because they assume there’s nothing there because the car in front of them is doing fine. When there is an unusual circumstance they quite rationally slow down to a speed where they can actually control their vehicle.

It’s not a moral failing, it’s sensible behavior.

]]> By: Michael O'Brien http://www.howwedrive.com/2009/03/10/whats-the-effect-of-rubbernecking-on-traffic-flow/#comment-6506 Michael O'Brien Thu, 12 Mar 2009 04:44:25 +0000 http://www.howwedrive.com/?p=698#comment-6506 When traffic volumes are at capacity, even a single abandoned vehicle can have the same effect, especially if it's parked along the median. In Tom's book, IIRC, he mentions studies showing that screens and barriers can be problematic because they also generate attention (and an air of mystery). When traffic volumes are at capacity, even a single abandoned vehicle can have the same effect, especially if it’s parked along the median.

In Tom’s book, IIRC, he mentions studies showing that screens and barriers can be problematic because they also generate attention (and an air of mystery).

]]> By: Fritz http://www.howwedrive.com/2009/03/10/whats-the-effect-of-rubbernecking-on-traffic-flow/#comment-6493 Fritz Wed, 11 Mar 2009 17:31:08 +0000 http://www.howwedrive.com/?p=698#comment-6493 This rubbernecking is also frequently noted in radio traffic reports from traffic helicopters and is probably obvious to the observers in the sky, but it's good to see this validated in published research. So a solution to this is perhaps higher median barriers or screens? We have pretty tall screens on some freeways in California. This rubbernecking is also frequently noted in radio traffic reports from traffic helicopters and is probably obvious to the observers in the sky, but it’s good to see this validated in published research.

So a solution to this is perhaps higher median barriers or screens? We have pretty tall screens on some freeways in California.

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