Until the backup from the resulting merge extends all the way back into the intersection!!!

You seem to be ignoring that part of my point. Let's take an example using real numbers so maybe you can see the picture I'm trying to paint.


60 cars need to get through a light. 50 feet past the light, the left lane ends. When approaching the light, it is red.

My method:
All the cars queue in the right lane. Since the light is red, no one can advance past the light, nor can they advance past the merge (obviously). The light turns green for 60 seconds. The cars proceed through the light at 1 car per second and all cars make it through the light.

Your method:
30 cars queue in each lane. When the light turns green, the cars begin to advance. After 5 seconds, 10 cars are through the light. At this same time, the first car in line reaches the merge point. The first car in the right lane proceeds through at his normal speed, however the car to his left must slow down to get behind him, and the car behind him must slow even more so that he can allow room for that car to merge in front of him. The amount that each subsequent car has to slow increases in a non-linear amount (exponentially, maybe) because each car has to slow just as much as the car directly in front of him, but he also has to slow enough to allow a car to his left to merge. So, as this factor propagates backwards through the queues, the cars at the back are having to move slower and slower. Eventually, the light turns red, and there are probably 2-8 cars that don't make it through.

Obviously, you don't see a problem with this because you aren't the guy at the back of the queue. You don't feel like you were significantly delayed because you have effectively cut off people that were likely queued at the light before you were. That's all fine & dandy when someone allows you to merge in, but if there was a sign before the light that informed you that your lane ends... I'm not going to slow down everybody behind me to allow you to merge at the last second. Instead, I'm going to keep my lane moving as smoothly as possible. You can stop & sit in your lane and wait until the light turns red and my lane has fully "drained" for all I care.

 

You bet. If this every happens to you guys - it is all over. Some believe the many social problems and crime we have here all started with poor road manners/habits getting progressively worse until they are what they are now. Any they will get worse - with a further break down of law and order.

It is a game of psychology. I pretend I don't see them (when I give a dam) - deliberately looking away, though I have them in peripheral. If they think you didn't see them, they back off whatever arseness they were about to do for fear of a smash up. Once they know you have seen them - they will go ahead and break in on you, knowing that you want to protect that pretty little baby of yours.

Most of the time I just smile and let them through and get my kicks by saying to myself "I knew you were doing to do that dummy". Anything else is too much effort and I can do without the raised blood pressure.

 

Wait - are you all trying to justify high-hp cars via traffic optimization?

 

[QUOTE=trinis2001,Mar 21 2008, 12:34 PM] It is a game of psychology. I pretend I don't see them (when I give a dam)

 

Works for me.

 

I had a civic hatch before the S2000 and it had 270 whp and 248 wtq. It was a 12 sec car... and frankly it annoyed me to drive because I would be right on somebody's ass as soon as I left the light. There is always somebody in front of you in Atlanta.... always.

Anyway, I took the turbo off and switched to a b16 which probably had about 140whp. I enjoyed the car more because I could flog it. I mean, I could drive it hard and not be too obnoxious or conspicious on the street.

There comes a point when you have too much power. I'm not sure what that point is though. I guess I could probably be quite happy if the S2000 ran 13.3 stock.

 

And one would really only care about these things if they're insecure and have a really small dick. Basically a 16 year old.

 

Is that how it works?

I kinda of compare it to an event that helps classify a data point pertaining to the value of a purchase.

Some prefer to go the ostrich route. Stick your head in the sand and ignore anything that does not portray and reflect the ideals that led to your purchase. Ignorance is bliss. It really is...and it makes for a peaceful existence...if you're demeanor can support it.

That's fine, if it works for you. But, some prefer to confront and grab this knowledge. Think about how it might help them in future purchase choices, think about ways to address their current purchase, or reflect upon it and find that they don't care about that particular data point as it fits in the overall value equation.

Associating the above with penix size is an interesting stretch. What other car topics make you think of sexual organs?

 

Just to weight in (pun), if I have to justify why I bought my 05 S2000 every time I drive it why would I bother - if I had the problem then I'd buy a different car every 6 months so that my ego wouldn't have to be trashed all the time. My 05 is fine for me and my ego. We are doing just fine thank you.

 

[QUOTE=honda606,Mar 21 2008, 01:38 PM] And one would really only care about these things if they're insecure and have a really small dick.