History
Mobility Systems
Future of Transportation
Traffic Truths
100

Before diesel and electric engines, early trains were powered by this.

Steam

100

In freight, the term “just-in-time” logistics aims to minimize this.

Inventory storage 

100

This country is building “The Line,” a futuristic linear city designed to eliminate traditional car travel.

Saudi Arabia

100

The largest source of microplastics in oceans does not come from bottles. It comes from this part of vehicles.

Tires

200

In 1987, Seattle became the first U.S. city to have its police officers patrol the streets using what mode of transportation?  

Bicycle

200

When drivers feel safer because of added safety features and therefore drive more aggressively, this psychological effect occurs.

Risk compensation

200

This city became the first in the U.S. to allow fully driverless Waymo rides to the public in 2020.

Phoenix

200

Traffic congestion actually gets worse after this major American holiday more than Thanksgiving

The Fourth of July 

300

Historic Route 66 begins in Illinois and ends in California, totaling 2,448 miles from end to end. However, in what state does the route pass through for a measly 13.2 miles?

Kansas

300

In the fundamental diagram of traffic flow, maximum flow occurs at this specific density.

Critical density 

300

This U.S. state was the first to officially legalize autonomous vehicle testing on public roads in 2011.

Nevada

300

Adding more highway lanes often brings back congestion within a few years. This phenomenon is called ...

Induced demand 

400

The first scheduled commercial air service, piloted by Antony Habersack Jannus, made its first flight on January 1, 1914. In what U.S. state did the flight take place?

Florida

400

If signal coordination improves progression but increases cross-street delay, engineers are making a tradeoff between efficiency and this concept.

Equity (or fairness between movements) 

400

This technology uses AI to optimize traffic signal timing in real time based on live vehicle flow.

Adaptive signal control 

400

The first recorded speeding ticket in 1896 was issued for going this extremely dangerous speed.

8 mph

500

What was the first road across the continental U.S.? Formally dedicated on October 31, 1913, it ran from New York to San Francisco and went through 13 states.

 Lincoln Highway

500

Adding a new road to a congested network can paradoxically increase total travel time. This phenomenon is known as this paradox.

Braess’s Paradox

500

This SAE automation level requires a vehicle to perform all driving tasks under all conditions without human intervention.

Level 5

500

In most cities, a large share of traffic congestion is caused by trips shorter than this distance.

3 miles

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