Mathematical formula predicts ‘phantom’ traffic jams
11th July 2010
The researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have developed a formula of “phantom” jams, based on the equations that describe detonation waves caused by explosions.
“Phantom” jams are those that occur for no apparent reason, in the absence of an accident or roadworks. In high density traffic, a small disturbance, such as a driver braking too hard, becomes amplified as the cars behind react more strongly. Eventually, many cars behind the initial disturbance, the small incremental increases become a fully fledged, self-sustaining traffic jam. The MIT team call such phantom jams “jamitons”.