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What causes Phantom Jam


Xanavi
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Hypersonic

Like the SLE speed camera location.. Cars right at the camera slow down, but this cause the back wave of slow down a couple of KM before the camera. And at one point, the traffic is almost at a stand still for a few seconds. 

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  On 5/11/2016 at 6:10 AM, Ender said:

Like the SLE speed camera location.. Cars right at the camera slow down, but this cause the back wave of slow down a couple of KM before the camera. And at one point, the traffic is almost at a stand still for a few seconds.

Normal. That stretch if towards cte direction the traffic always slows down after woodlands ave 12 exit and picks up after the speed cam
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Hypersonic
  On 5/11/2016 at 6:13 AM, So_nice said:

Normal. That stretch if towards cte direction the traffic always slows down after woodlands ave 12 exit and picks up after the speed cam

I travel both direction during peak. Observe this happened both ways.  Exactly like the video, phantom jam by car slowing down at the speed camera way ahead.

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  On 5/11/2016 at 6:10 AM, Ender said:

Like the SLE speed camera location.. Cars right at the camera slow down, but this cause the back wave of slow down a couple of KM before the camera. And at one point, the traffic is almost at a stand still for a few seconds. 

 

That's the very definition of an unintended consequence!  Next they'll widen the road at that point and scratch heads when still has a jam.

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Hypersonic
  On 5/11/2016 at 6:17 AM, Sam7770 said:

That's the very definition of an unintended consequence!  Next they'll widen the road at that point and scratch heads when still has a jam.

Widening of road would not alleviate the situation. This is cause by phantom jam on the 1st lane, and to lesser extent the 2nd lane too. The 3rd lane although they are already slow, but because of their consistent speed even at the speed camera, they are not affected by the phantom jam. In this situation, sometime it's faster and smoother on the 3rd lane, although tthe speed is only 50-60km/hr.

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(edited)

Drivers with spastic legs who use the foot brake for every little thing that scares them on the road.  When you ask them why don't use engine braking, they give you a blank look - engine inside got brake meh?!?!

 

Under moderate to light traffic, it's actually pretty easy to drive through a long stretch of expressway without ever touching the foot brake.  It's all about spatial awareness and looking far ahead to aid judgement and moderate driving speed. 

 

  On 5/11/2016 at 6:26 AM, Ender said:

Widening of road would not alleviate the situation. This is cause by phantom jam on the 1st lane, and to lesser extent the 2nd lane too. The 3rd lane although they are already slow, but because of their consistent speed even at the speed camera, they are not affected by the phantom jam. In this situation, sometime it's faster and smoother on the 3rd lane, although tthe speed is only 50-60km/hr.

 

Very true.  Especially during jams caused by accidents on the right expressway lanes, cruising along with the heavier vehicles on the left most lane give the smoothest journey.

Edited by Jellandross
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On the various supporting voices for less braking and more cruising, I am on the fence.

 

Why yes?

 

Well, on one hand I myself practice anticipation of the traffic beyond the car immediately in front of me as well as using the engine brake to help in appropriate situations. Minimising the use of brakes. This I believe will help make the traffic smoother.

 

Why not?

 

The above method is based on assumption that every driver in the traffic flow is equally doing the same. Especially the one driving directly behind you. There is also assumption that the driver behind is paying equal attention to the road and traffic as you.

 

Imagine when you are using engine brake to slow down and the driver at the back is not paying enough attention, no brake light warning, he will just ram into your rear as he did not pay attention to the rapidly closing gap.

 

 

So, practically, I take the middle road as well. When I am using the engine braking method, it will only be for situation when the anticipated reduction in speed is not going to be drastic and the car behind is keeping a decent distance and not sniffing my ass. I will double tap the brakes if the traffic suddenly comes to standstill unexpectedly to give the car at the back additional warning.

 

 

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  On 5/11/2016 at 6:44 AM, Vratenza said:

On the various supporting voices for less braking and more cruising, I am on the fence.

 

Why yes?

 

Well, on one hand I myself practice anticipation of the traffic beyond the car immediately in front of me as well as using the engine brake to help in appropriate situations. Minimising the use of brakes. This I believe will help make the traffic smoother.

 

Why not?

 

The above method is based on assumption that every driver in the traffic flow is equally doing the same. Especially the one driving directly behind you. There is also assumption that the driver behind is paying equal attention to the road and traffic as you.

 

Imagine when you are using engine brake to slow down and the driver at the back is not paying enough attention, no brake light warning, he will just ram into your rear as he did not pay attention to the rapidly closing gap.

 

 

So, practically, I take the middle road as well. When I am using the engine braking method, it will only be for situation when the anticipated reduction in speed is not going to be drastic and the car behind is keeping a decent distance and not sniffing my ass. I will double tap the brakes if the traffic suddenly comes to standstill unexpectedly to give the car at the back additional warning.

Hmmm.. actually, engine btaking doesn't neccesary slows down your car at a rapid speed. Unless you are dropping from 5th/6th to 3rd/2nd on a manual car. Just decelerating or release the accelarator will engage engine braking. So the driver rightfully won't receive a shock. Unless he/ tailgating too near.. in that case, what ever braking also no use. Simi theory also don't apply.
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  On 5/11/2016 at 6:26 AM, Ender said:

Widening of road would not alleviate the situation. 

 

Yes, that was my point.

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