For the rush hour commuters... (Los Angeles, San Jose: live, moving, stadium)

[nickdahammer]

Here's one for all you commuters. I've lived in NE Los Angeles for about 20 years. I know the area fairly well, I use some shortcuts, but there is one commuter trick that I cannot figure out.

Sometimes I take the 110 south from Mt Washington, getting off at Stadium Way if the traffic on the freeway is bad. Without fail, there is always one or more commuters who get off with me. The difference is that instead of continuing down surface streets into downtown like I do, they get right back on the freeway! If there are ten people getting off at Stadium Way, 7 will always stop at the 110 South ramp (wasting time), then turn right back on to the freeway. I tried this myself once and gained absolutely no advantage from it. It was slower (big surprise), and I ended up in worse traffic than when I got off, taking longer to get to the office.

Any idea why anyone would do this every single workday?

[HarryKerryJr]

Those people may be trying to get to Figueroa Terrace that runs into Beaudry. That is a good shortcut to get into downtown, especially if the destination is around LAUSD building area and even Bunker HIll or the Financial District. However, it may not make sense for your destination.

[ccm123]

Having lived in Southern California for 20+ years, and having witnessed such behavior many, many times. The main reason is that folks want to "move" rather than being stuck in traffic. Getting off and getting back on allows that, but the real progress is negligible.

[jm1982]

I notice this too , people getting on 405 near Skirball Center/Sepulveda even when you can see there is traffic on the freeway... just going down Sepulveda seems to make more sense

[nickdahammer]

Your describing MY goal. It's the people who get off like they are going to use that shortcut but don't that mystify me. I can understand getting off the freeway just to feel like you are moving forward (even if you are not), but getting off a crowded roadway only the get back on it is behind me.

Originally Posted by HarryKerryJr

Those people may be trying to get to Figueroa Terrace that runs into Beaudry. That is a good shortcut to get into downtown, especially if the destination is around LAUSD building area and even Bunker HIll or the Financial District. However, it may not make sense for your destination.

[nickdahammer]

I see what you mean, but their 'progress' is non-existent. They are taking far longer dallying around with getting off, stopping, getting back on, etc.

Originally Posted by ccm123

Having lived in Southern California for 20+ years, and having witnessed such behavior many, many times. The main reason is that folks want to "move" rather than being stuck in traffic. Getting off and getting back on allows that, but the real progress is negligible.

[nightlysparrow]

Originally Posted by ccm123

Having lived in Southern California for 20+ years, and having witnessed such behavior many, many times. The main reason is that folks want to "move" rather than being stuck in traffic. Getting off and getting back on allows that, but the real progress is negligible.

I do this sometimes. It's a frustration reducer for me.

[CrossCountryTrip]

Like others said, probably just a placebo effect... they want to constantly be moving

But I'm the guy on the motorcycle squeezing between lanes so I can't justify such behavior

[BRinSM]

i've used the same trick of getting off, then back on (with mixed results) when heading south on the 405 at santa monica blvd because the freeway exit and entrance are so long. the time savings is hit or miss depending on how long you sit at the light at SMB. if you exit and immediately get a green light, then you can cruise straight back to the freeway entrance lane and make up some ground on the cars that stay on the freeway, especially in very heavy traffic. if you hit red and have to sit and wait a while before proceeding back on the freeway, then you will most likely have lost ground on cars that stayed on the freeway.

[sonarrat]

There's no way this behavior does anything but make the traffic worse for everyone. In San Jose, most freeway entrances have metering lights, so I never see it happen during commute hours.