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Can Traffic Studies Help Ease California’s Road Congestion?
Californians know traffic. You don’t have to live in the Golden State very long to realize that heavy road congestion is a way of life for many residents. Heavy traffic also increases the risks of collisions, and unfortunately, many California drivers learn this lesson the hard way.
But what if there was a way to overhaul the entire California traffic grid to help ease our notorious road congestion? INRIX, a traffic data analysis company, has recently compiled the most comprehensive traffic study to date.
This study encompasses data from over 210,000 intersections across the United States. (This is about two-thirds of all the estimated intersections in the United States.) Nearly a billion intersection crossings were observed and compiled into in-depth, large-scale research.
With all this data, INRIX was able to identify specific problems in traffic patterns and even make predictions about how COVID-19 could permanently affect traffic patterns across the country.
The Worst Intersections In The United States
With so much data available, INRIX was able to identify some of the worst intersections in the country. You might be surprised to learn that the worst offenders were not here in California. The intersection with the longest delay per vehicle was north of Fort Worth, Texas. The intersection is adjacent to a busy railroad crossing.
While a railway crossing has delayed numerous drivers, this particular crossing is so bad that the average wait time is higher than that of almost any other intersection in the country. There is a lesson here for California drivers. Railroad crossings can significantly increase your traffic delays, so be prepared if one is on your route. You may want to find an alternate route to avoid the problem entirely.
If you are stuck at a railway crossing, be patient! Do not succumb to the temptation to drive around others, make an illegal U-turn, or engage in other dangerous behaviors. The researchers also found the busiest “non-urban” intersections.
Because cities usually have more traffic than rural areas, the wait times at rural intersections tend to be lower. Researchers found the busiest non-urban intersections in the United States at multiple intersections in Tennessee.
Due to the Smoky Mountains Harvest Festival, traffic was heavy and slow at several intersections in the area. This information can be helpful for California drivers. Though these particular intersections are not in California, our state hosts many festivals in non-urban areas.
Be especially cautious when driving near these events. Prepare yourself for potential delays, and avoid any reckless driving habits. Tailgating, using the horn, yelling or gesturing at other drivers, and similar behaviors can all increase the odds of an accident occurring.
The Findings That Could Help Ease Traffic Congestion
With so much available data, researchers could draw several conclusions that could help ease traffic congestion at intersections throughout the country. For example, researchers found that signals contributed to traffic delays more than previously thought. Other factors, such as accident rates and the overall number of cars on the road, also contribute to the overall length of delays on a traffic network. But this comprehensive study found that drivers spend about ten percent of the average car trip stopped or slowed down by controlled intersections.
A related problem is the complexity of an intersection. The study identified longer delays at intersections with complicated traffic patterns compared to a standard four-way stop. When there are other traffic paths, it is more difficult to provide “green time” to any particular traffic lane, and all traffic slows down.
Therefore, municipal planners should evaluate intersections with added traffic patterns to determine whether the added delays are worth the increased traffic paths they allow. Accident rates are known to be higher when there is more traffic on the road. Increases in overall miles driven, heavy congestion, and similar problems all increase the chances of a collision.
Traffic signals can improve the flow of traffic. This fact means that traffic planners can use signal patterns to save lives. Thousands more Californians are injured every year in traffic accidents. Effective planning can save the pain and financial costs associated with traffic accidents.
Contact Our Experienced Traffic Accident Lawyers For California Injury Cases
The car accident attorneys at Arash Law have decades of experience and are dedicated to helping our clients seek compensation for their injuries and related losses. If you are spending hours searching online for a “car accident lawyer near me,” the experienced team at Arash Law is available to offer legal guidance and support.
Our car accident lawyers represent injured victims in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Riverside, San Jose, San Diego, Sacramento, Sherman Oaks, and throughout California. Call (888) 488-1391 or contact us online to schedule your free initial consultation. To discuss your situation, you can also complete our “Do I Have A Case?” form here. Working with a skilled injury lawyer can help protect your rights and guide you in navigating the legal process more efficiently.
