MATH: ALSO FIXES TRAFFIC JAMS

[defrog]

ITEM: Massachusetts Institute of Technology mathematicians create a model to describe “phantom” traffic jams – i.e. traffic jams that occur for no apparent reason.

The mathematics of such traffic jams are strikingly similar to the equations that describe detonation waves produced by explosions, said Aslan Kasimov, a lecturer in MIT’s Department of Mathematics. Realizing this allowed the reseachers to solve traffic jam equations that were first theorized in the 1950s. [...] The equations MIT came up with are similar to those used to describe fluid mechanics, and they model traffic jams as a self-sustaining wave.

Like so.

MIT hopes this model could help engineers design build better roads to minimize the odds of phantom jams happening.

We could certainly use it in HK.

Personally, when it comes to solving traffic congestion, I’m still holding out for my Blade Runner flying car.



Up and away,

This is dF