Why Does Being Polite Make Traffic Worse?

Merging early feels like the polite thing to do. It's the reason the queue is twice as long. Minnesota's Department of Transportation found that when drivers use both lanes and take turns at the merge point, backup lengths drop by 40–50%. At one Michigan site the congested stretch went from six miles to three. Most people already know this. It hasn't helped — because the problem was never information. First episode of Day to Day Theory: the hidden logic behind everyday behaviour that makes no sense. ——— SOURCES Minnesota DOT — zipper merge, 40–50% backup reduction Michigan M-53 site — 6 miles to 3, 15–25 minutes saved per driver NCSU ITRE — reductions of up to 50% Fehr & Gächter (2002), "Altruistic punishment in humans," Nature MUSIC Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/music/tracks/stan-... License code: XUV92VW4FTNUOVA4 License code: 2MHFRD6CLGCE8EKC License code: NDAYBSD6ASQIP2JM ——— Who goes first? #gametheory #traffic #zippermerge