I have always wanted somebody to explain how freeways slow to a crawl without an accident or other large “event” blocking one or more lanes. Apparently traffic planners call this situation a “shockwave”.

Traffic Funnel
Shockwave basically describes a situation in which you are forced to slow down on the highway without seeing what’s ahead causing the change in speed. Once you get in position to see further ahead, traffic begins to pick up and speeds are returning to normal.
Not only was that news to me, but I didn’t even know there was a job called “traffic planner”. I mean, it makes perfect sense for the position to exist – I guess I just overlooked that aspect of urban planning.
Here’s the full graphic. If you already knew this then you are certainly a better person than I am.

The “funnel effect” makes perfect sense too. Water droplets will stick to each other, allowing no space in between…in the same way people on the highway will stick to your a$$, allowing no space in between! Is Mr. Husani making a veiled insult regarding human intelligence in traffic?….Hmmm