3 ms·
I believe this paradox applies to any congested highway with a robust network of side streets around it. If everyone could agree to take side streets for half o
by moultano 8y ago
I believe this paradox applies to any congested highway with a robust network of side streets around it. If everyone could agree to take side streets for half of their trip, the side streets could easily absorb the extra traffic without slowing down, and the highway would be able to flow freely, shortening everyone's total commute time. But no single person can improve their commute by switching to the side streets alone.
- SilasX 8y agoWhat? It's usually the first switcher who benefits the most from using the side streets, because they see zero congestion, and, if anything, it's more of a problem (for the cut-through neighborhoods) of too many people switching.
- moultano 8y agoIf the side streets are currently faster than the congested highway that's true. I'm talking about situations where it isn't, where the fixed cost of stoplights and speed limits ensures it they will never actually be faster than the congested highway.