Name:Aarti
Grade: 11 A
Roll no: 23
Road
Traffic
Introduction:
Traffic congestion is when traffic either comes to a complete stop or slows below its normal speed. It is not a
pleasant situation for anyone. It is stressful, causes those unlucky enough to get stuck in it to come later than
planned to their destinations, and makes it take longer to get places. Nevertheless, it is a fact of life in and
between urban areas around the world.
Traffic congestion in itself is not dangerous. Since excessive speed is the most common cause of accidents
leading to death or bodily injury, and traffic congestion results in slow movement of vehicles, a motorist who is
caught in a traffic jam is not in danger of an accident caused by high speed. Any accidents that occur would be at
low speed. But the extreme measures of distressed motorists can lead to danger, including aggressive lane
changing, rat running down small streets, U-turns, and speeding after the jam is over to make up lost time can be
hazardous.
There are numerous causes of traffic jams. On limited
access highways, generally, it is not traffic volume alone
that contributes to traffic jams, but a combination of that
and other factors. Along a city street, traffic volume can
contribute to traffic problems, as motorists get stuck
behind lights, and one light cycle may be insufficient to
allow all the motorists behind a light to pass through. Some
of the causes of traffic jams are:
Causes
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Of Traffic Congestion
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Accidents, which can block one or more traffic lanes
Disabled vehicles, which may obstruct traffic
Rubbernecking of accidents, disabled vehicles,
stopped motorists, or other sights out of the
ordinary
Construction, which may result in lane closures or
the need to drive more slowly than normal
Events that draw large crowds
Inclement weather, leading motorists to have to
drive more slowly or cautiously
Unforseen emergencies
What Causes Temporary Congestion
About half of all traffic slowdowns are caused by
temporary traffic flow disruptions. These are the
unwelcome surprises that take over part of the
roadway, such as an accident blocking a lane, a
construction zone causing a bottleneck, or inclement
weather conditions that affect all drivers. These are
the slowdowns that you typically can’t anticipate.
What Causes Congestion Every Day
The other half of slowdowns are caused by recurring congestion.
Many drivers experience these delays multiple times a week.
They are more predictable as they occur whenever too many
vehicles enter the roadway, such as during a specific time of day
(e.g., rush hour, which is likely on the way to work, after work, or
weekends).
Even though we know when they’re likely to occur, many of us
can’t avoid getting stuck in these delays, simply because our
schedules are similar to those of the other drivers on the road.
SOLUTIONS
There are several ways to get information on the traffic conditions:
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Radio: They will let you know about the conditions on the main highways in the
region, and sometimes of problems on secondary roads.
Highway signs:Electronic signs on the highways inform motorists of road
conditions and upcoming obstructions. They may provide information on how many
minutes one may expect it to take to travel a certain number of miles/kilometers.
Your smartphone: Mapping sites like Google Maps or MapQuest or local news sites
or certain apps may provide this. Commonly, such maps will display green lines for
normal traffic, yellow lines for slowed traffic, and red lines for nearly stopped
traffic. There are also some sites that display live images of various points along
the route taken by cameras mounted in these locations.
GPS Navigator: Many but not all GPS navigation devices are capable of getting
current traffic information and some actually when necessary will lead you on a
detour.
CONCLUSION:
You can reduce your chances of getting caught in a traffic jam by traveling outside
of rush hour. It is important to keep in mind that the term "rush hour" is not the
same in all areas, and varies by location. It can be anytime, 24/7, depending on the
hours of employers and other facilities in the region.
Consider alternative forms of transportation, such as public transportation. While it
may be slower than a personal vehicle, it may be less stressful, and you will help
take a vehicle off the road when you are riding a public transportation vehicle that
would be running anyway.
Thank
You
Aarti Seth
aarti508350@npsinr.com