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I think this phenomenon shows the importance of communicating to the drivers that a green wave system is in effect. You can't really fault people for driving m

by maest 7y ago

I think this phenomenon shows the importance of communicating to the drivers that a green wave system is in effect. You can't really fault people for driving myopically if they don't have high level information.

gwbas1c 7y ago
Agreed, I once had to tell an out of towner "just drive the speed limit, you'll get all green lights."
- ttymck 7y ago
  I've noticed (because I once read somewhere) that driving 5-10mph _over_ the limit results in the best timing. This is in both Pennsylvania and Los Angeles.
  - cuddlybacon 7y ago
    At one time a particular subreddit* was quite insistent that it is always the case that going the speed limit always results in the same commute time as speeding. No matter the city. I tried it in Vancouver, and my commute went from 45 mins to 65. The bulk of traffic does 5-10km/h over the limit, so perhaps traffic light timing is based on that. * Reddit is blocked at work, but it was probably something like r/townplanning
  - gwbas1c 7y ago
    The speed varies based on who's timing the lights.
alamortsubite 7y ago
That might work, though few drivers in the U.S. heed speed limits even in construction and school zones, where there are typically large brightly-colored signs and flashing lights and the stakes are much higher. Also, since the bad behavior on display at the front of a green wave is pervasive in pretty much all traffic scenarios, it seems like a modicum of driver training might ultimately be the most foolproof approach.
- maest 7y ago
  With the risk of sounding cynical, I think drivers will be much more receptive to being told "you can get home faster if you follow the rules" than being told "you're increasing the risk of getting into an acceident if you don't follow the rules"
- dsfyu404ed 7y ago
  >That might work, though few drivers in the U.S. heed speed limits even in construction and school zones, Because there's nothing in it for them. Most school zones don't have kids anywhere nearby outside two specific times of day. Most construction zones don't actually have construction happen. Many posted speed limits are either artificially low by statute (state laws to the tune of "if road has X then max speed limit = Y" are common), for revenue purposes or to account for a temporary condition that does not affect the entire area where the speed limit applies (e.g. a single tight curve or trucks enter/exiting during business hours). In light of these it's no wonder so many drivers disregard posted limits since it allows them to get to their destination faster. If drivers knew that a particular travel speed would result in hitting all greens then you can bet your ass the majority of them would drive that speed. There's a ton in it for them.

by maest 7y ago

gwbas1c 7y ago

Agreed, I once had to tell an out of towner "just drive the speed limit, you'll get all green lights."

ttymck 7y ago
I've noticed (because I once read somewhere) that driving 5-10mph _over_ the limit results in the best timing. This is in both Pennsylvania and Los Angeles.
- cuddlybacon 7y ago
  At one time a particular subreddit* was quite insistent that it is always the case that going the speed limit always results in the same commute time as speeding. No matter the city. I tried it in Vancouver, and my commute went from 45 mins to 65. The bulk of traffic does 5-10km/h over the limit, so perhaps traffic light timing is based on that. * Reddit is blocked at work, but it was probably something like r/townplanning
- gwbas1c 7y ago
  The speed varies based on who's timing the lights.

alamortsubite 7y ago

That might work, though few drivers in the U.S. heed speed limits even in construction and school zones, where there are typically large brightly-colored signs and flashing lights and the stakes are much higher. Also, since the bad behavior on display at the front of a green wave is pervasive in pretty much all traffic scenarios, it seems like a modicum of driver training might ultimately be the most foolproof approach.

maest 7y ago
With the risk of sounding cynical, I think drivers will be much more receptive to being told "you can get home faster if you follow the rules" than being told "you're increasing the risk of getting into an acceident if you don't follow the rules"
dsfyu404ed 7y ago
>That might work, though few drivers in the U.S. heed speed limits even in construction and school zones, Because there's nothing in it for them. Most school zones don't have kids anywhere nearby outside two specific times of day. Most construction zones don't actually have construction happen. Many posted speed limits are either artificially low by statute (state laws to the tune of "if road has X then max speed limit = Y" are common), for revenue purposes or to account for a temporary condition that does not affect the entire area where the speed limit applies (e.g. a single tight curve or trucks enter/exiting during business hours). In light of these it's no wonder so many drivers disregard posted limits since it allows them to get to their destination faster. If drivers knew that a particular travel speed would result in hitting all greens then you can bet your ass the majority of them would drive that speed. There's a ton in it for them.