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Permalink Reply by JeffB on August 1, 2014 at 10:48am

(~20:40) drop of 1% of drivers achieves an 18% improvement in traffic flow

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Permalink Reply by Chitown_Mike on August 3, 2014 at 2:53pm

Jeff, I don't know which section of Milwaukee you drive/ride on but I always notice when school seems to be in/out for breaks or summer.  A lot less people carriers and more 4 door sedans and small cars with single occupants.  I am guessing, however, that the number then is greater than 1%.

Jeff Schneider said:

I'm sure those numbers depend a lot on specific circumstances.  Starting with a practically empty highway, 1% fewer drivers would have no effect.  On Milwaukee at rush hour, I bet you would notice a significant difference.  But yes, that stat jumped out at me, too.

JeffB (7+ miles) said:

(~20:40) drop of 1% of drivers achieves an 18% improvement in traffic flow

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Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on August 4, 2014 at 5:29am

I've noticed similar patterns in locations close to schools and on routes parents drive to get there. Example affecting my bike commute: when school's in session, traffic around 83rd & Vincennes near Simeon High School is a nightmare anytime around start/end times for school. When school is NOT in session, traffic is minimal on that section of Vincennes at the same times of day.

Chitown_Mike said:

Jeff, I don't know which section of Milwaukee you drive/ride on but I always notice when school seems to be in/out for breaks or summer.  A lot less people carriers and more 4 door sedans and small cars with single occupants.  I am guessing, however, that the number then is greater than 1%.

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Permalink Reply by Juan 2-3 or more mi. on August 4, 2014 at 8:14am

Too bad that VW commercial was much too real to even be broadcasted. A very thorough and enjoyable presentation THANKS.

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Permalink Reply by Ryan Stahlman on August 4, 2014 at 10:41am

Vanderbilt's book is a fantastic and surprisingly approachable read. I feel like it is one of those "awareness raising" books that make you see the world differently. Just this weekend, I was driving through a construction area with lots of stop and go situations. On advice from him, I slowed down and kept a large distance between me and the next car, and I swear, the fluctuations in my general vicinity calmed down a bit. 

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