I think of it like this: traffic lanes are like slinkies side-by-side with each other. Each slinky expands and contracts roughly equally, but not at the same ti

I think of it like this: traffic lanes are like slinkies side-by-side with each other. Each slinky expands and contracts roughly equally, but not at the same time. If you can hop from lane-to-lane such that you're maximizing your time in the "expansion zone" before it contracts to a standstill then you'll absolutely beat someone who never changes a lane. More practically: don't change lanes from a "stuck" into a "moving" lane if the moving lane has been moving at a steady rate for more than 30 seconds, because it's probably about to contract and be stuck. If you're in a moving lane, jump ship as soon as it seems like it's beginning to get stuck. This is 1/3 art, 1/3 science, 1/3 likely placebo.