成人X站

CHOKEPOINTS

Why can’t Seattle have a ‘normal’ traffic pattern?

Sep 6, 2016, 6:42 AM | Updated: Dec 19, 2017, 5:30 pm

traffic, Seattle construction...

(MyNorthwest)

(MyNorthwest)

That’s the question one asked this week after noticing that traffic tends to increase through the work week but suddenly die on Friday.

Why tow trucks can鈥檛 get to a crash scene any faster

The person illustrates the “weird” phenomenon by ranking each day as such:

If I were to use numbers to illustrate, it’s something like 2, 3, 5, 8, 1. On Thursdays, traffic [is] much worse than normal and the buses and trains are … sardine cans.

Why the huge differences in traffic? Why can’t you have normal, regular weekday traffic like other cities?

The answer, according to 成人X站 Radio’s Chris Sullivan, could come down to four-day work weeks. According to the Washington State Department of Transportation, Sullivan says, Friday can be particularly bad for drivers if there is a three-day weekend and people have Monday off — such as Labor Day. Most of the time, however, it’s predictably light.

Another reddit user’s theory backs that up, noting the large number of tech workers in Seattle.

West coast business culture in general combined with huge numbers of tech/knowledge industry workers with particularly flexible/variable schedules work from home, 10-6/11-7 types schedules, and so forth.

Plus:

There’s also a strong “reverse commute” (with respect to the usual American style) driven by people who live in the city going out into the suburbs for their day jobs.

It’s important to note that because of Seattle’s geography, relatively small accidents can result in traffic grinding to a halt. A commute that typically seems “light” can quickly become a driver’s worst nightmare. Just take the crash on the 520 Bridge earlier this week as an example. One stalled bus slowed traffic for hours as drivers found alternative routes around or across Lake Washington. It’s just one example of what Sullivan calls the “ripple effect” that can occur on our roads.

Send Chris a traffic tip at on Twitter or email him.

Chokepoints

asphalt truck SR 512...

MyNorthwest Staff

One lane open on SR 512 east after asphalt truck rollover

A rollover incident invoving an asphalt truck shut down eastbound SR 512.

2 days ago

WSDOT Construction Training (Photo: courtesy of Chris Sullivan)...

Chris Sullivan

Just what are these WSDOT workers doing?

Discover why WSDOT workers often appear to stand around during construction and their crucial roles in project efficiency.

2 days ago

WSDOT shutdowns I-405Renton to Bellevue Widening and Express Toll Lanes Project...

Nate Connors

Traffic alert: WSDOT postpones 5-day closure, some weekend work due to weather

WSDOT's upcoming shutdowns will impact drivers on State Route 18 and I-90.

2 days ago

crash spanaway dui...

Jonah Oaklief

Car catches fire in DUI crash, construction worker critically injured

A woman faces DUI charges after a crash in Spanaway injures a construction worker and halts work at the site.

4 days ago

sr 18 I-90...

Chris Sullivan

SR 18 under I-90 closes for 5 days: Major detours start Thursday

State Route 18 closes at 9 p.m. Thursday and won't reopen until 5 a.m. next Wednesday. That's slightly more than five days of frustration for drivers.

4 days ago

crash fatal belfair elementary...

MyNorthwest Staff

Patrol car involved in multi-vehicle fatal crash on SR 3 near Belfair Elementary

The Washington State Patrol is investigating a fatal multi-vehicle crash on State Route 3 near Belfair Elementary School.

5 days ago

Why can’t Seattle have a ‘normal’ traffic pattern?