Differences in Recurring & Incident Congestion

Video Transcript

The $64,000 question: should I get off the freeway and take an alternate route or should I stick with the freeway when there is congestion up ahead? I'm Dr. Roadmap. I can tell you with some scientific proof on what works. The main thing is, you have to know the difference between recurring congestion and incident congestion. Fifty-percent of the traffic delays we encounter are recurring. It's the same ol', same ol'. We know where it's congested. Yeah, it's always jammed up here; recurring congestion. Incident is where something unexpected be it an accident, a fuel spill, debris in the road way. Again, half of the traffic congestion is recurring, half is incident. If it's recurring congestion, stick with the freeway. If it's incident, take an alternate route. Here's why: with the regular same old, same old, all the good alternate routes are already taken. Commuters have figured out the best side streets so they will be crowded too. But if it's an accident that is happening where no one expects it and those streets tend to be open. So that's the time to take an alternate route. If you are on the fence and can't decide, go with the cues from the traffic reporter or the report that you hear on the radio or television. They'll tell you when it really pays to make a detour, especially in the air, because those air boys and gals can see the road and the freeway. They'll let you know what works best. Also, if you are offered traffic advices on which road to take, go with what the reporter recommends. They usually are on top of things. They are getting calls from motorists in their cars. If they tell you to take "X" surface street, go ahead and take it. But now, I'll do one better. Let's say the reporter says "get back at 'such and such' on ramp," that's the one you want to avoid because there will be a huge line of cars getting on at that on-ramp. You want to go around that even further, once you've decided to take an alternate route, and get on the one after. For the same reason, if you hear that there's a wreck at "x" off ramp, don't get off at the one just before it. Get off two off-ramps before. Again, you'll avoid a lot of trouble because everyone else will be getting off where they heard about the accident. Those tips should help you decide when to take an alternate route and when not to.

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