Why traffic jams form sometimes without a reason

Road trips can be enjoyable, but occasionally, you may find yourself stranded on the road for hours with no apparent reason, as if a sudden traffic jam emerged out of nowhere to disrupt your journey. Let’s delve deeper into these long lines of cars and explore some notable instances of extensive traffic congestion.

One might wonder how bad it could be, assuming that the road will eventually reopen. However, some of the most severe traffic jams can answer that question on my behalf. 

Traffic congestion in American history can be traced back to the 1960s. In 1969, during the Music and Arts Festival in New York, a significantly larger number of people attended than the organizers had anticipated. Consequently, cars were stuck for a whopping eight hours on the New York State Thruway.

In 2005, around 2.5 million individuals needed to evacuate from Texas due to a natural phenomenon. As everyone hit the road simultaneously, they collectively created 100-mile-long traffic congestion on an interstate highway. It took nearly two days to reopen the road.

During the winter of 2011, a blizzard hit Chicago, Illinois, resulting in multiple major accidents. People ended up spending over 12 hours in their vehicles, which were buried in snow, resembling scenes from a movie.

 However, traffic jams are not exclusive to the United States. In 1980, hundreds of people returning from a ski holiday in France created an almost 110-mile-long jam, setting a Guinness World Record.

Another world record for traffic congestion goes to Sao Paulo, where drivers were trapped in their cars for 180 miles in 2009. Heavy traffic is a persistent issue in the city, regardless of the day or time, with congestion frequently occurring on certain roads.

Similar to Sao Paulo, Los Angeles faces a similar fate. The city is renowned not only for Hollywood and its stunning amenities but also for experiencing the world’s longest rush hour. On average, drivers spend around 100 hours per year stuck in traffic delays.

While blizzards, extreme fog, and accidents serve as evident causes for traffic jams, sometimes there’s no obvious reason. 

Traffic slows down and eventually comes to a complete stop. It can take hours or even minutes for the cars to start moving again, suddenly transitioning to an open lane akin to Lightning McQueen.

 Could it be due to road construction or perhaps a truck spilling tons of apples on the road? Traffic jams can have multiple causes, and it all starts with human behaviour.

Interestingly, the reaction time of drivers significantly impacts the size and formation of traffic jams. If drivers fail to perceive and respond promptly, traffic becomes inconsistent, and one driver’s delayed reaction affects others, creating an accordion effect. 

Studies indicate that human factors play a substantial role in congestion. Shockingly, around 650,000 drivers use their cell phones while driving, contributing to a decline in perception and response time.

Poor driving behaviour can lead to phantom traffic jams, where the roads appear haunted by supernatural creatures (just kidding!). I’ll address phantom traffic jams shortly. 

Even if we divert our attention from our phones or ignore our thoughts, we can’t magically synchronize every driver’s reaction speed. However, technology may offer assistance.

Self-driving cars, in theory, have the potential to react more accurately to slowdowns compared to human drivers. These vehicles could play a significant role in resolving this problem. 

However, humans aren’t solely responsible for causing traffic. Sometimes, computer errors occur, traffic signs malfunction or green lights don’t remain active for sufficient durations.

When you stop at a red light and the four cars in front of you make a turn, the sudden change to red creates a queue. Engineering errors also contribute, such as overdeveloped traffic areas where the mass transit system is overcrowded while the road system lags.

Interestingly, the reaction time of drivers significantly impacts the size and formation of traffic jams. If drivers fail to perceive and respond promptly, traffic becomes inconsistent, and one driver’s delayed reaction affects others, creating an accordion effect

Insufficient road capacity becomes evident as one of the reasons for traffic congestion. Additionally, factors like adverse weather conditions and accidents contribute to blocking traffic. 

In some areas, the lack of public transportation options forces people to rely on cars to reach their destinations. Furthermore, construction work, lane closures, and double parking also add to the list of blockages.

Now, let’s discuss Phantom traffic jams. 

Picture yourself on a busy road where one driver abruptly hits the brakes to avoid a collision with the car in front.

This driver failed to follow a basic rule: maintaining a safe stopping distance by leaving space between the vehicles. If drivers notice increasing traffic density ahead, they should release the accelerator pedal at the appropriate time, preventing the emergence of traffic jams. 

When one person waits until the last moment to brake, it slows down everyone behind, creating a chain reaction. Even a small disturbance on the road, such as a bump, can contribute to this phenomenon.

What’s intriguing is that even when cars escape this traffic wave, the wave itself persists and gradually moves backwards against the flow of traffic. 

Japanese researchers conducted an experiment involving 22 drivers on a small circular road. Despite driving at the same speed and maintaining equal spacing between cars, traffic waves still formed. This experiment demonstrated the significant role individual drivers play in causing traffic congestion.

However, behavioural changes alone cannot eliminate Phantom traffic jams. Studies show that even if all cars adhere to the same rules and no driver makes any mistakes, these waves can still occur. 

The presence of enough cars on the highway can lead to the formation of Phantom traffic jams, even if drivers exhibit their best driving abilities. Human error is an inevitable factor that cannot be eliminated.

Fortunately, there are measures engineers can implement to mitigate blockages. Designing roads as straight and smooth as possible reduces the risk of heavy traffic, as sudden braking is less likely. Engineers also employ variable speed limits to minimize traffic jams. 

These speed limits are adaptable and displayed on electronic traffic signs, adjusting according to weather and road conditions. By gradually reducing speeds, these controlled areas help prevent the formation of Phantom traffic jams.

Daily commuting in traffic jams wastes time, energy, and productivity, in addition to their associated costs. It is estimated that traffic congestion costs the U.S. economy approximately $179 billion each year. 

If you find yourself caught in a traffic jam, there are a few essential items to have in your car. A first aid kit and necessary medications are crucial. 

Snacks can help alleviate hunger during long waits. Items such as hand sanitisers, and a phone charger are also important for communication and entertainment purposes.