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From: hodges@ucla-cs.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.cycle
Subject: Re: Letter in net.auto
Message-ID: <9450@ucla-cs.ARPA>
Date: Thu, 27-Feb-86 07:10:53 EST
Article-I.D.: ucla-cs.9450
Posted: Thu Feb 27 07:10:53 1986
Date-Received: Sat, 1-Mar-86 00:22:12 EST
References: <192@copper.UUCP> <9306@ucla-cs.ARPA> <353@vger.UUCP>
Reply-To: hodges@ucla-cs.UUCP (Jack Hodges)
Distribution: na
Organization: UCLA Computer Science Department
Lines: 26

Regarding the USC article: sounds interesting.  My experinece on the highway
concurs (empirical as it is).

1.   Splitting (for me) involves a defocusing of the cars in my immediate
vacinity toward a larger view of what is happening between 3 and 10 car lengths
ahead.  As a result I can sense any sudden motion (head jerks, etc.) in time
to react.

2.   Being aware of the "big picture" allows you to see potential situations
ahead before the drivers around you, and to react accordingly.

3.   The middle of the lane (between lanes 1 and 2 especially) is the least
used and so the path ahead and behind is usually clear, making speed
control much more consistent.

4.   Your mention of removing the potential of cars too near from the rear
also includes those who might slam on their brakes in front of you as well.

5.   Additionally, because "they" see a car on their left/right they generally
don't swerve toward you from the side.

The motorcycle cops I've talked to about lane splitting agree that it can be
the best place to be in traffic (that's where they hang out) as long as you
don't get out of hand with it.  The gist of the above items is that you have
a clear, predictable and controllable path in all directions, which is exactly
what you want in any driving condition.