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Simple Solution to Singapore Traffic Congestion - The Ripple Effect

Aussie Pete

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Loyal
http://www.aussiepete.com/2010/06/simple-solution-to-singapore-traffic.html

DISCLAIMER

Before I air my observations, a very quick disclaimer - I am no way criticising any one individual here. The observation is one of collective behaviour and largely a result of enforcement of basic traffic regulations (or lack thereof). Regardless, I know that even some of my friends will be critical of my opinions on this subject, as we have had this conversation on numerous occassions, with the end result being 'agreeing to disagree'.

THE PROBLEM

Firstly, notwithstanding a few irregular 'hot spots', I am strongly of the belief that the road planning in Singapore is first class in its efficiency. The network of multi-lane expressways and quality of the road surface is to be admired. Combine this with the restriction of cars on the road through the COE quota process and the variable cost tolls through ERP gantries, the Government and Land Transport Authority are doing a very admirable job in managing traffic flow in such a small land surface area.

Secondly, I hear the complaints of traffic congestion (especially in peak hour) very frequently. The anecdotal reasons I hear for this congestion range from 'poor quality roads' to 'too many foreigners on the road'.

erpgantry.jpg


Let me state for the record right now (from first hand experience) that compared to other major cities and countries across the globe, Singapore does not have any traffic problems whatsoever!! Consider sitting in what might be mistaken as a 'car park' on Nei Huan Xian in Shanghai with traffic completely motionless for up to three hours at a time... or travelling on the Eastern Freeway in Melbourne at peak hour travelling one hour to travel the last one kilometre to enter Hoddle Street.

I drive to work every day in Singapore, merging on to the CTE at the Yio Chu Kang entrance in peak hour and travelling almost the complete length of the expressway to exit at the Orchard Road off-ramp and then driving on to Millenia Tower. Most days, this trip will take me around 30 minutes (without speeding or breaking the law). Admittedly, on the odd occasion (most commonly rainy days) this trip may extend to 45-minutes or perhaps even an hour if there is a vehicle breakdown or fender-bender.

Once again, I know many of my friends and readers will disagree with me - they will say that I cannot compare the traffic in Singapore to other major cities, because many who have not travelled extensively can only compare the current traffic conditions to those of days gone by in Singapore. They consider any speed under 70km/h to be 'troublesome' traffic. OK - fair enough... but let me now make a very basic observation (which will prbably make some of my readers even more irate at me).

A friend of mine once joked - "I have a car for sale... 5 years old with indicators in brand new condition - never been used already!!".

Joking aside, this is a very poignant statement - even I have gotten into this very uniquely local habit of not always indicating when turning corners or changing lanes. To be honest, when I first started driving here, I found it an almost 'empowering' feeling to be able to not indicate without any fear of prosecution or traffic violation ticket. But note very well - I would never, ever change lanes in front of another vehicle, or stop to reverse park without first indicating. This is just flirting with danger - for both my family and the families in the vehicles around me.

Another Singaporean mate told me once that if you indicate to change lanes, no one will ever let you in. They will speed up to block you out. Although I have experienced this from time to time, I know that there are a number of patient and considerate drivers out there and it is no excuse to not indicate your intention to change lanes.

I digress somewhat, but my point is this... for the congestion that we do see at certain times on the major expressways, there is a very simple solution to minimize the problem.

It is based on a very basic theory known as the 'Ripple Effect' - and it is the cause of 'phantom jams' the world over.

The difference in Singapore is that the phantom jams and ripple effect are more often as a result of frequent lane changing and failure to indicate when changing.

There have been numerous studies (well funded) to study this phenomenon and all have reached the same conclusion - there have even been computer models developed to mimic the effect.

When one motorist brakes, the motorist behind is forced to brake a little harder, as does the driver behind him or her, until eventually the traffic behind the non-incident is brought to a complete standstill. This can cause a bottleneck or phantom jam stretching a number of kilometres.

The original braking motorist may have done so because he or she increased their speed to faster than that of the flowing traffic (as simple as that), or they may have been distracted in some way - a mobile phone or even attention to what they are listening to on their radio - whatever the reason, these bottlenecks occur the world over.

In Singapore, this effect is accentuated. The cause is some drivers changing lanes with no indicator and without sufficient space for the car they are cutting in front of - and the most common offenders are those that use the roads the most - the taxi drivers (OK - don't get angry, I know not all taxi drivers do this - in fact I know that they don't. I'm just stating my observations as a regular driver).

singaporetaxi.jpg


[IF YOU AGREE WITH THE PROBLEM - THE SOLUTION IS HERE]
 

zhihau

Super Moderator
SuperMod
Asset
It is based on a very basic theory known as the 'Ripple Effect' - and it is the cause of 'phantom jams' the world over.

bro,

i do suspect that the ripple effect can be reduced if all the cars are of manual-transmission mode and that folks use engine break to slow their vehicles instead of hitting the brakes all the time.

:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:
 

Aussie Pete

Alfrescian
Loyal
bro,

i do suspect that the ripple effect can be reduced if all the cars are of manual-transmission mode and that folks use engine break to slow their vehicles instead of hitting the brakes all the time.

:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:

Actually mate - I reckon you're right... great idea!! Be difficult to implement though - for me, I'm too lazy for a manual transmission car these days :smile:
 

yellow_people

Alfrescian
Loyal
Actually mate - I reckon you're right... great idea!! Be difficult to implement though - for me, I'm too lazy for a manual transmission car these days :smile:

Enforcement as you put it is the best way to resolve the ripple effect. Hefty fines and disqualifications for the Ah Bengs who flout traffic laws. For instance, take a look at the number of Beng motorist who beat traffic lights? They are still zipping past when green man is on and pedestrians are getting ready to walk. Take a look at the crossing at Paragon heading towards CTE at any time of the day. Its an accident waiting to happen. These days we hardly see traffic cops around except when escorting some VIP.
 

scroobal

Alfrescian
Loyal
Good write-up bro.

Just thought I will let know how traffic and transportation were planned until the 3rd generation team took over.

In the past, road building, public transport and private transport were considered in such a way that that traffic flowed very well. The original PIE was built and completed in 1981 with 2 lanes but immediately a 3rd lane was built as the projection shot up. When COE was introduced , the money garnered was used to build roads, fly overs and other transport infrastructure. The smooth flowing traffic interesting encouraged a bad habit - switching lanes.

Since the 1990s, the whole transport planning has gone downhill. For a country to introduce various programmes such as automated green wave traffic light signaling to car-pooling, this is probably the worst period of planning ever.

In the 70s and 80s, consultancies such as Booz Allen Hamilton were engaged regulary to study good systems and make recommendations. It all stopped. The planners now only consider access roads to good class bungalows to avoid complaints, the rest is business as usual with a reduced budget. The good times have ended but the bad habit of switching lanes has not.





 

Baimi

Alfrescian (Inf)
Asset
Now i know why the car in front of me
keep tapping the brake during a jam.
i drive a manual car.
 

zhihau

Super Moderator
SuperMod
Asset
The good times have ended but the bad habit of switching lanes has not.

bro,

another thing to note: there are tonnes of moronic road hogs who wouldn't keep to their left. if every single driver had the courtesy to give way and to keep left when ever they are slow, traffic would be smoother.

ps: it seems like everyone is using lane 1 for leisure drive, do correct me if i'm mistaken, isn't lane 1 for overtaking only?
 

Watchman

Alfrescian
Loyal

The only solution is to increase the price of cars and the price of usage .


This is to prevent idiots on the road who road-hog like their
whole life and life savings evolve round the road .

If the longer they are on the road . The more they will need to pay .

So they will be encourage by a cost factor to driver faster and
not take they bloody sweet time to obstruct other road
commuters by not being a idiot
 

Ash007

Alfrescian
Loyal
bro,

i do suspect that the ripple effect can be reduced if all the cars are of manual-transmission mode and that folks use engine break to slow their vehicles instead of hitting the brakes all the time.

:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:

Now i know why the car in front of me
keep tapping the brake during a jam.
i drive a manual car.

You can engage engine braking in an automatic if you know how to. Know the engine well enough, and lifting, tapping the brakes essentially does the same. Or get one with steptronics and you can just shift the flaps like in F1. :smile:
 

cass888

Alfrescian
Loyal
bro,

i do suspect that the ripple effect can be reduced if all the cars are of manual-transmission mode and that folks use engine break to slow their vehicles instead of hitting the brakes all the time.

:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:

I disagree. The ripple effect will be reduced if they ban manual transmission cars. If all cars are automatic transmission, there will be less delays in moving off once the light turns green.
 

Watchman

Alfrescian
Loyal
I say ban all 2 litre cars and below and they need to share lanes with lorries and buses
and other 60 marked carriage .
 

Watchman

Alfrescian
Loyal
I disagree. The ripple effect will be reduced if they ban manual transmission cars. If all cars are automatic transmission, there will be less delays in moving off once the light turns green.

I don't think manual transmission is a problem .
I think the problem lies with the existence of idiots .


Existence of idiots .
People who can afford cars but not on par on vehicular basic operation .

Why I call them idiots is because it's a human factor and not the equipment .
Not equipment failure but the failure to operate an equipment
proficiently and efficiently.


Idiots who can afford to buy a car but can't afford
tap the accelerator to keep up with traffic.
 

Watchman

Alfrescian
Loyal
Now i know why the car in front of me
keep tapping the brake during a jam.
i drive a manual car.

Singaporeans will need to be fucked time and time again .

Throw away those stupid theory books on driving and time to really drive .

Not follow theory books to tap brake to change gear .

It comes with speed awareness .
 

Ash007

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Loyal
I say ban all 2 litre cars and below and they need to share lanes with lorries and buses
and other 60 marked carriage .

Why? I drive a mini cooper S, 1.6 litre turbo charged. I do 130km/hr on some of the roads easy. Always the first to get off the mark at the traffic lights. Smalls cars are lighter and could get off the mark faster compared to a V8. Most of time you would be pretty happy when you reach 80km/hr. I say change to more small cars and teach them how to use it properly instead.
 

Watchman

Alfrescian
Loyal
Why? I drive a mini cooper S, 1.6 litre turbo charged. I do 130km/hr on some of the roads easy. Always the first to get off the mark at the traffic lights. Smalls cars are lighter and could get off the mark faster compared to a V8. Most of time you would be pretty happy when you reach 80km/hr. I say change to more small cars and teach them how to use it properly instead.

With exception to mini coopers of course .

Anyway ban cars without turbos
 

cass888

Alfrescian
Loyal
Why? I drive a mini cooper S, 1.6 litre turbo charged. I do 130km/hr on some of the roads easy. Always the first to get off the mark at the traffic lights. Smalls cars are lighter and could get off the mark faster compared to a V8. Most of time you would be pretty happy when you reach 80km/hr. I say change to more small cars and teach them how to use it properly instead.

Come'on ... mini coopers are the exception to the rule.
 

Tiu Kwang Yew

Alfrescian
Loyal
Rubbish !

PAP unbridled Ft policy is the problem of the traffic jams.

Will LTA tell the people how many PRs and foreigners are car owners ?

We now know most PAP civil servants can afford to drive.

what measures? as long as PAP continues to kiss the assholes of FTs, traffic jams are also imported !

ERP is just a pain in the ass !
 

Ash007

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Loyal
Actually, with ERP everywhere in Singapore now. Why don't they just install a GPS in every car. Charge people by the min like using mobile phones.
 
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