Originally Posted by mntlblok
(Post 2269606)
My thoughts, as well. Have also been doing a fair bit of pondering about what "might" be a significant issue that I don't think I've seen specifically addressed.
Seems to me that it might not be enough to merely say "yield to any vehicle already in the RA", nor even to go by the rule of thumb to "never be 'beside' a vehicle that is in the "inside" lane. I keep coming back to two concepts that I always struggle with - and wish that I didn't. Brings back memories of slogging through calculus courses, too.
Anyway, have often heard that it ain't "speed" that kills, it's the *differential* in rates of speed. Add to that the concepts of acceleration and deceleration, and my poor head really starts spinning - changes in *rates* of speed. That latter is where I'm picturing an issue that I suspect might deserve more discussion concerning these cool and potentially efficient traffic control devices.
Picture this scenario. An "inside" lane vehicle is approaching as you are dutifully slowing as you approach the RA. You time your "deceleration" such that you enter a car length or two *behind* this "right of way holding", inside vehicle. As you now accelerate back up to the 20mph rate allowed for this intersection, the inside vehicle, whom you know to have the right - and possible inclination - to freely exit at the very nearby next exit, and needing to cross your "now -accelerating" path, *decelerates* - *especially* with respect to "forward progress", as he has essentially slowed to *0* mph relative to *that* direction - which coincides with the direction in which you are currently *accelerating*. It's as if someone had passed you, changed lanes, and immediately "brake-checked" you for the period of time that it takes for him to completely cross your "outside" lane.
I ain't good enough at math to figger out what a good rule of thumb would be for how far (car lengths?) you should allow that inside vehicle to be ahead of you before you start entering (which would differ significantly depending on whether you had stopped or were merely slowing) nor how many seconds (Mississippis?) one should wait following the passage of said insider so as to ensure space for his potential, immediate exit to occur, stress free. Bet there's tons of retired engineers here in The Villages who could whip something up right quick for me. They could even leave out all the stuff on jerk, jounce, flounce, and pounce. :-)
My own, current rule of thumb for dealing with this scenario is to minimize my acceleration until it is totally clear to me whether this "insider" is or is not going to take that first exit option. I strongly suspect that this thumb rule is similar to that of most everybody *else's*, but would think that maybe finding a means of *emphasizing* it for the newbie - as well as for the "non-believers" :-) who cannot fathom a scenario which allows for another vehicle to turn across their path.
I'm working on controlling my inclination towards road rage when the guy behind me blows his horn or aggressively tailgates when I don't enter the RA at a rate that suits him. :-)
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