Random How Do Traffic Jams Work? (10 items)

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  (#8) People Are Resistant To Public Transportation

  Public transportation is, for the most part, safe and reliable. But many are resistant to utilizing it, and experts have found that such resistance is often rooted in issues of race, class, and social stigma. Yet the fact remains: if more people took public transportation, there would be less traffic and fewer traffic jams. Research suggests that traffic wouldn't magically disappear, but it could be reduced slightly or even just in the short-term, both of which would be preferable to the situation as it stands presently.
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  (#9) The Bulk Of Traffic Happens At Specific Times Of The Day

  The concept of rush hour is not a new one, but it does explain why traffic gets bottled up more easily at certain times of day. Again, this is a matter of too many cars on too few roads all during the same few pivotal hours. During evening rush hour, drivers tend to be tired and stressed after a long day, and it's no secret that the two combined can cause accidents. When there are accidents, other drivers must slow down or stop, and it's human nature to want to look at the crash, all of which contribute to the insanity of rush hour and the jamming of traffic.
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  (#5) It's Easy To Dehumanize Other Drivers

  When a driver gets behind the wheel, they're entering a small, enclosed space that feels private and secure. This perceived safety can create a disconnect between drivers on the road, and such a disconnect makes it less challenging for people to dehumanize other motorists. It also makes it easier for any given driver to engage in less-than-kind behavior. When one doesn't see the full humanity of others, cruelty can rear its head with surprising speed. So drivers are more prone to be disrespectful and just plain mean because their understanding of and empathy for other drivers is minimized. When a motorist acts like a jerk and does jerk-y things, traffic issues like congestion and jams result.
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  (#1) Drivers Don't Maintain Consistent Speeds

  One of the biggest detriments to the smooth and unimpeded flow of traffic is the fact that drivers don't maintain consistent speeds. Unless you're using cruise control, you're constantly slowing down and speeding up, often subtly and without even realizing your speed is fluctuating. This phenomenon is less attributable to driver error and more owing to human nature. One study found that the lack of consistent speed is a collective phenomenon, meaning when one driver's speed fluctuates, whether wildly or imperceptibly, others respond in kind.
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  (#7) Most Drivers Don't Understand The Zipper Merge

  Done correctly, the zipper merge can be the commuter's best friend. Unfortunately, few understand how the zipper merge is supposed to work. This is how journalist Sam Machkovech explains the late merge, also known as the zipper merge:

  "It works as follows: in the event of an impending lane closure, drivers should fill in both lanes in equal measure. Within a few car lengths of a lane ending, both lanes' cars should take turns filling in the open lane and resume full speed."

  The operative words here are take turns. A lot of drivers, seemingly under the impression that driving is some sort of bloodsport, are totally unwilling. Taking turns and letting others into your lane is the secret of zipper merging, and it could reduce traffic mightily if more motorists mastered it.
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  (#2) Obstacles On The Road Present Issues

  The obstacles a motorist encounters on their commute will have a direct bearing on whether traffic jams develop. Car accidents are among the most common culprits. Road work and lane closures are also responsible for bottlenecking traffic. Even a minor obstacle, like a road narrowing slightly, can cause traffic to slow considerably. Conditions like these cause around half of all traffic jams that occur on any given day.

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