But ... my diagram ...Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image! It shows an example of perfectly careful drivers, making no faults, still resulting in grid lock.
I don't see how improving peoples' skills are going to make them click on things significantly less often. So I don't see how that would obviate congestion. The very purpose of the internet is to allow people to consume whatever content they desire. To change peoples' behavior (rather than faciliating it with better tech design), would defeat its very purpose.
Yes - and even when cars are all automated, _people_ will still be choosing to go places where lots of other people want to go.
If I was in that situation I wouldn't try to turn left if the way was blocked. So there are certainly ways to avoid that scenario.
Except the way wasn't blocked. It only became blocked as the driver stopped. As he flipped his blinker and braked, two cars were passing by - at-speed - in the oncoming lane. No alert there. It goes from smooth-flowing traffic to grid lock in the time it takes for a car to brake. True, the situation can be untangled, but only after it has already locked up. i.e. you would not have avoided it - although you could subsequently change your action to disentangle it - such as abandoning your destination to try again at the next turn (if there is one). (This isn't hypothetical, BTW. I see this very thing occur in downtown Toronto every day).
In Europe, they make roundabouts wherever possible, and often, they are possible. Often, they are also relatively cheap and quick to make. Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image! In smaller interesections, they just draw new markings on the asphalt, turn off the semaphores, and that's it.
Improving people's _life_ skills sure would. Arguably, the vast majority of stuff on the internet is indicative of people's poor life skills.
There is a "Brake Wave" theory that sums up the fact that it's simply a matter of following too close (leaving out stop signs and lights.... mostly a theory for highway driving) The very act of leaving more space between vehicles and not breaking when you see breaklights enables you to sort of absorb these brake waves - Trafficwaves.org may shed more light... im going by what i remember in a video i saw..... seems to be a good theory