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3.69 AVERAGE
3.69 AVERAGE
When LA shut down a major freeway for construction, the prediction ws Carmageddon. Nothing happened. Traffic flowed as per normal.
This book explains the nature of traffic and how people adapt quickly.
This book explains the nature of traffic and how people adapt quickly.
I found this book soon after having an interesting conversation with a civil engineer. Many of his comments were reflected in this book, particularly about the traffic circle versus the four-way stop. The book did leave me a little more frightened of my world, but it was a good read. I found the section regarding the anti-sign Dutch designer to be particularly interesting. His focus seemed to be on getting drivers to react to the world again and not go barrelling through villages in a metal cage. It resonated.
Seriously about everything you ever wanted to know about traffic. It is super interesting, and engagingly written, but could be a bit much sometimes. There is just sooo much info. I had to take a few breaks, but really enjoyed it in the end.
It took me a while to get through this book, because it could be a bit dense at times, but I learned all sorts of interesting facts about driving. I've already shared the wisdom of late-merging with several friends. It also cemented my love for my walkable neighborhood and my belief in the importance of public transit, biking, etc.
It's no wonder that people are fascinated by the psychology of driving and traffic, seeing as how most of us deal with both on a daily basis. The seemingly simple act of transporting oneself from point A to point B actually requires a complex, coordinated effort by many mental and physical processes. There has been an astounding amount of research on the subject, especially regarding how to cure the most dreaded problem of congestion. Tom Vanderbilt does a good job at digging into all the data (almost a quarter of the book is notes and references) and compiling many interesting facts and anecdotes.
Some of the most interesting chapters dealt with the dangerous behaviors many drivers exhibit. I know I get annoyed at someone driving poorly, then notice they are on a cell phone. Well, now I have scientific research that backs up my theory that yes, you are a worse driver while talking on your phone...no matter what you think. Just reading about how comfortable and distracted drivers are when traveling at such fast speeds is disconcerting. One interesting study focused on the overuse of road signs, and how drivers have come to ignore many of them. I had never heard of the Dutch traffic engineer Hans Monderman before, but his idea to remove all traffic signs, lights, and painted lines and arrows in the highly congested town of Drachten in the Netherlands revolutionized the way traffic patterns and congestion are viewed. Vanderbilt wrote an article in The Wilson Quarterly called 'The Traffic Guru' about Monderman and his effect on the town.
One of the biggest problems with this book lies not in the writing itself, but in the subject matter. Such a vast and multifaceted topic could never be sufficiently delved into in a few hundred pages. When I closed this book, I was left wanting more, which is both a positive and a negative. Traffic did keep my attention from chapter to chapter. I was surprised to learn just how interested I was in the subject and will probably search out further information. That being said, I felt a sense that the writing lacked any real conclusions, or at least the full development of an opinionated argument in one direction or the other. Traffic was a very intriguing introduction to the field and provided me with a wealth of conversation topics, but, overall, it felt more like an expanded magazine article.
Some of the most interesting chapters dealt with the dangerous behaviors many drivers exhibit. I know I get annoyed at someone driving poorly, then notice they are on a cell phone. Well, now I have scientific research that backs up my theory that yes, you are a worse driver while talking on your phone...no matter what you think. Just reading about how comfortable and distracted drivers are when traveling at such fast speeds is disconcerting. One interesting study focused on the overuse of road signs, and how drivers have come to ignore many of them. I had never heard of the Dutch traffic engineer Hans Monderman before, but his idea to remove all traffic signs, lights, and painted lines and arrows in the highly congested town of Drachten in the Netherlands revolutionized the way traffic patterns and congestion are viewed. Vanderbilt wrote an article in The Wilson Quarterly called 'The Traffic Guru' about Monderman and his effect on the town.
One of the biggest problems with this book lies not in the writing itself, but in the subject matter. Such a vast and multifaceted topic could never be sufficiently delved into in a few hundred pages. When I closed this book, I was left wanting more, which is both a positive and a negative. Traffic did keep my attention from chapter to chapter. I was surprised to learn just how interested I was in the subject and will probably search out further information. That being said, I felt a sense that the writing lacked any real conclusions, or at least the full development of an opinionated argument in one direction or the other. Traffic was a very intriguing introduction to the field and provided me with a wealth of conversation topics, but, overall, it felt more like an expanded magazine article.
This one was recommended by my brother. It was far more interesting than I thought a book about traffic would be - I actually eagerly read it on the couch. It draws from lots of disciplines to talk about why people do dumb things in traffic (and some about the ways traffic engineers have tried to deal with it).
I find myself thinking about things he said as I drive. (Not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing for my driving...)
ETA: I came back several weeks later and improved my rating from 4 stars to 4, because I think about its issues *all the time*.
I find myself thinking about things he said as I drive. (Not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing for my driving...)
ETA: I came back several weeks later and improved my rating from 4 stars to 4, because I think about its issues *all the time*.
fascinating. Great social science, particularly the section on the complexities of risk and self-selection problems in driving.
It's absolutely fascinating! A must read for anyone intrigued by human behavior or anyone and everyone who drives.
informative
medium-paced
For the past few months I've been listening to this book on cd. It was fascinating. I will never complain again about having to wait for a green light to enter the freeway and I will try to ignore the irritation of drivers as I wait to merge until the last second when a lane is closing. I never knew so much thought went into roads. It was a very interesting book. The main point that I learned (which is very obvious) is the need to be a more alert and aware driver. I could make a list of all that I learned. I'm sure I've already forgotten a lot too. It would be great to listen to again in a year.