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Attention selfish drivers…
Posted By jake
As I’ve long suspected, research is indicating that selfish driving patterns result in more traffic for everyone. I’ve contended that the jerk waiting until the last second to merge is making it worse for all of us, and in weaker moments, uttered a few unkind words about what his parental lineage must be.
I’m happy to see research into this topic. It ties into another topic I’d really like to see researched: patterns of group behavior based on unspoken communication and the inability of some individuals to successfully navigate said group behavioral systems.
You see it all the time–the huge backup headed up to a road construction site. You see the cars long before you see the signs. Most of us see our opportunity to get into the appropriate lane and do so instinctively. Then there’s the guy who goes coasting by, oblivious until he practically smacks into the construction, who then struggles to get into the appropriate lane. Fellow drivers usually presume he’s the sort of rascal who thinks the rules don’t apply to him. In calmer moments, I have another theory: I think he’s clueless.
Another scenario in which you see widespread unspoken group communication is in the Metro stations in DC. During the most crowded times, you’ll notice that people waiting to get on the trains dynamically gather near but not in front of the doors. Instead they form “tunnels” of egress for the people getting off the train–and the more impressive part is that those tunnels typically point toward the exit of the station, funneling the disembarking passengers out.
No words are spoken, yet people seem to spontaneously organize.
And then there are the people who don’t get it. The person standing haplessly in the middle of the tunnel, practically getting knocked over by every disembarking passenger. The person who absentmindedly is constantly in someone else’s way. The person who wonders why there’s no one ahead of him in the left lane but dozens immediately behind him.
Here’s my premise: I think there’s a specific type of social intelligence, devoted to the navigation of non-explicitly arranged social situations. And I think some people just don’t have it.
Now to get that research grant…
Sep 4th, 2008
Here’s an animation to help demonstrate your point. See also Traffic “Experiments” and a Cure for Waves & Jams. You might also enjoy watching No traffic signals necessary. And definitely lookup Hans Monderman’s concepts.
I’m sure by now your spam filter has called 911, paged you, made an appointment with your administrative assistance, and called your sister to let you know that this post has too many links. Woohoo! It escaped moderation!