People have many years and much money trying tofigure out how traffic patterns work, without really figuring it out.
As I encountered unusual traffic at the Mass. Turnpike tolls today, I wondered what caused it. Was it the fact that tolls are $1.25 today Instead of $1.00, So people needed change? Was there an avoidable accident? Was there just some random slow driver causing a ripple effect?If I can figure out one of the patterns affecting a part of my life, and influence it, I can probably make a big change. What do you think?ETA: This article from Engadget Mobile gives another possible cause affecting traffic patterns.
Mobile post sent by DougH using Utterz. 
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It’s the Butterfly Effect, multiplied by the number of people impacted, and so on, and so on…
To find the most influential drivers of patterned human behavior, zero in on comfort zones with mass appeal and tweak them.
In the case of your traffic issue for instance – if further study confirms that the increased toll is indeed the culprit, regular toll road users will adapt at various rates and eventually the traffic will revert to historic patterns.
If one wanted to influence the commuters’ rate or methods of adaptation, creating incentive to use the Fast Lane jawny would be the easiest way to reestablish or even improve the previously existing traffic pattern.
In this case, however, you run the risk of creating a social divide – those with credit cards or debit cards will be able to participate in the improved commute while those without will not, which opens the strategy up to other unplanned repercussions.
And so on, and so on, and so on…