Friday, April 18, 2008

FW: traffic doesnt seem that bad anymore


 

"Most Complex Junctions" Hall of Fame:

- Shanghai, China
(see that little circle on the side: this is a trap for amateur drivers, in which they swirl around forever)

http://lh4.google.ca/abramsv/R9WRr6tLeqI/AAAAAAAALNg/HSFBRko5vKw/car_photo_223813_5.jpg?imgmax=512

- Taganskaya Square, Moscow
(shaped like a huge dumb loaf of bread... and just as unpalatable)

http://lh6.google.ca/abramsv/R9WRsatLerI/AAAAAAAALNo/V97xmHvmuGg/car_photo_223811_5.jpg?imgmax=512

- Tokyo, Japan
(this one's actually quite elegant)

http://lh3.google.ca/abramsv/R9WRsqtLesI/AAAAAAAALNw/KBdRoyVTh70/car_photo_223807_5.jpg?imgmax=512

- Arc de Triumph, Paris
(Place Charles de Gaulle - pretty much free-for-all there)

http://lh4.google.ca/abramsv/R9WRs6tLeuI/AAAAAAAALOA/c9EBNLvzt4k/40337-crazy-traffic-at-arc-de-triomphe-paris-france.jpg?imgmax=512

Nice Chicago arrangements:

http://lh4.google.ca/abramsv/R9WRs6tLetI/AAAAAAAALN4/1sfu-YbpW0U/s800/20060410_chicago.jpg

You also gotta love this one in Minneapolis:
(between 35W and 94)

http://lh6.google.ca/abramsv/R9WVhatLewI/AAAAAAAALOQ/HrAq7wPby30/sdrgdsfhghf.jpg?imgmax=512

Golden Glades interchange in N. Miami Beach, FL.

http://lh4.google.ca/abramsv/R9WVh6tLexI/AAAAAAAALOY/tZWRBI-iZl8/sdfgdfgrtytyt.jpg?imgmax=512

Looking like some strands of yarn: Rt. 440 in New Jersey:

http://lh6.google.ca/abramsv/R9WaNatLe5I/AAAAAAAALPY/XCLWwjGWtx0/sdfghgjhjhjhj.jpg?imgmax=512
(images courtesy Google Earth)


Magic Roundabout

Something to shock you into disbelief, and leave you utterly shattered: getting in and out of the "magic mushroom circle" in England:

http://lh5.google.ca/abramsv/R9WPEKtLeoI/AAAAAAAALNQ/rDC83SBRP4A/kreisverkehr_10.jpg?imgmax=512

http://lh4.google.ca/abramsv/R9WPD6tLenI/AAAAAAAALNI/rgUqLSc4bP8/kreisverkehr_11.jpg?imgmax=512

http://lh6.google.ca/abramsv/R9WPEatLepI/AAAAAAAALNY/uWKrrxaWSnA/swindon.jpg?imgmax=512

There are three intersections like this in UK: in Swindon, Hemel and in Cardiff. See exactly how it works here and here.

A cheat sheet "how to get out" is more helpful:

http://lh6.google.ca/abramsv/R9WRtatLevI/AAAAAAAALOI/X6wPDLdIdSA/swindonRAB.jpg?imgmax=512

China is at the forefront of traffic circles (and spiral bridge approaches), as well:

http://lh3.google.ca/abramsv/R9WYOqtLe2I/AAAAAAAALPA/4jrF2zzf6K4/506487766_1c91939de0_o.jpg?imgmax=512

http://lh5.google.ca/abramsv/R3Kv6kKUdOI/AAAAAAAABvw/xQ0f0CM9Rpc/47_pics.jpg?imgmax=512


Some vintage visions of intersections

Little did the urban planners of yesteryear and futurist designers imagined how complex our traffic infra-structure would become. The closest perhaps was the "Futurama" display in the 30s:

http://lh4.google.ca/abramsv/R9WVh6tLeyI/AAAAAAAALOg/6yv2snhTPCg/365095320_2ab3f2cc16_o.jpg?imgmax=512

Looks actually quite orderly:

http://lh4.google.ca/abramsv/R9WYM6tLezI/AAAAAAAALOo/0xEEN2WiIPI/365095277_c00fc227f2_o.jpg?imgmax=512


There is a highway in my basement

Another solution for the busy intersection: put a "traffic-control" tower smack in the middle (and on top) of it!

This strange concoction comes from "Modern Mechanics" 1932 issue and is called "Safety Tower" - basically a multi-level interchange, with space above it used for businesses and entertainment (including air traffic control beacons!)

http://lh5.google.ca/abramsv/R9WEHKtLeWI/AAAAAAAALKg/odp9dILDghI/qewrtrtry.jpg?imgmax=512
(image credit: Modern Mechanix)

Amazingly, same idea came to Russians recently, as they put a huge "flying saucer" mall on top of major intersection: see here

http://lh5.google.ca/abramsv/R9WEJKtLeZI/AAAAAAAALK4/oAwT5DaHCoE/s800/433121724_10f69ee4cd.jpg

and of course, a humorous solution (that might just work in Russia, who knows)

http://lh4.google.ca/abramsv/R9WYO6tLe3I/AAAAAAAALPI/fN7GUgH38iQ/633750189_601c7fd28a_o.jpg?imgmax=512


Railway intersections: "Diamond Crossings"

Quite a few of them can be found in US, but not that many in the rest of the world. US railway companies liked this kind of intersection which does not allow a train switch to a rival company's tracks.

http://lh3.google.ca/abramsv/R9WM2qtLemI/AAAAAAAALNA/DLe17X1Tz4g/396px-Diamondcrossing.jpg?imgmax=512

Here is a couple: in Poland and Russia:

http://lh4.google.ca/abramsv/R9WM16tLekI/AAAAAAAALMw/lklQRvqilXQ/11352-125950-f82a619aa92223b535b84742599f1de1.jpg?imgmax=512

http://lh5.google.ca/abramsv/R9WM2KtLelI/AAAAAAAALM4/5Ibe26g1-zs/18686-092736-762a211415dd79e817143d488c705667.jpg?imgmax=512
(original unknown)


Traffic Jams from Hell

What a better way to greet Monday than to publish a collection of horrendous traffic congestion pictures, which may cause even most patient driver to shudder and say "Boy, am I glad I'm not in this mess right now".

First picture is taken from the window of Red Hat's offices in Sao Paulo, Brazil, followed by various location around the world, with Russia featured quite prominently -

http://lh3.google.ca/abramsv/R5ACWkKUpeI/AAAAAAAAEOg/i8Au9M_SkZQ/deadlocknajkcomafarialibh3.jpg?imgmax=512
(image credit: Glommer's Mind)


http://lh5.google.ca/abramsv/R9WYOKtLe1I/AAAAAAAALO4/FLefbnOq5rQ/495711679_52f8d76d11_o.jpg?imgmax=512


http://lh4.google.ca/abramsv/R5bBVu9HgVI/AAAAAAAAEuQ/1UR_rpUacD4/LiveLeak-dot-com-83132-i_traffic_jam.jpg?imgmax=512


http://lh5.google.ca/abramsv/R9WEKKtLecI/AAAAAAAALLU/eQdUUWXSeWw/s800/1044.jpg?imgmax=512


http://lh3.google.ca/abramsv/R7e7zKoD3UI/AAAAAAAAIns/Ek6wje0uN3s/normal_traffic.jpg?imgmax=512


http://lh6.google.ca/abramsv/R7e726oD3hI/AAAAAAAAIpU/AAVfi165I-A/idiotparkingru_197.jpg?imgmax=512


http://lh6.google.ca/abramsv/R7a5cKoD3DI/AAAAAAAAIlM/Z6UPfyNtUNs/44_picsasdasa.jpg?imgmax=512
Bucharest, Romania


Unregulated mess somewhere in Russia:

http://lh4.google.ca/abramsv/R7e7zaoD3VI/AAAAAAAAIn0/uE3UpFkQTao/normal_2.JPG?imgmax=512


http://lh3.google.ca/abramsv/R5ACSkKUpaI/AAAAAAAAEOA/y_JR_-PpFto/probka.jpg?imgmax=512


Here is the classic traffic jam that terrorized Moscow Sadovoye Koltzo (ring road) in October 2007:

http://lh3.google.ca/abramsv/R9WJsqtLegI/AAAAAAAALMQ/3k0b_FN6WiM/DSC_0045.JPG?imgmax=512

http://lh6.google.ca/abramsv/R9WJsatLefI/AAAAAAAALMI/Y9uzXVpe_zw/DSC_0044.JPG?imgmax=512

http://lh5.google.ca/abramsv/R9WJuKtLejI/AAAAAAAALMo/6Muq1vrAv2Q/DSC_0071.JPG?imgmax=512

Continuing well into the night:

http://lh3.google.ca/abramsv/R9WJtqtLeiI/AAAAAAAALMg/b2V6S_w2Xd8/DSC_0050.JPG?imgmax=512
(images credit: Anton Nossik)


This particular congestion is not actually a traffic jam. It happened in Italy during the strike, creating bottle-necks for trucks at the border:
(still very hairy situations with long waits involved) -

http://lh5.google.ca/abramsv/R2cgzUKUZoI/AAAAAAAABFM/ZlDAC9JKgpk/01_probka.jpg?imgmax=512

http://lh4.google.ca/abramsv/R2cg2EKUZpI/AAAAAAAABFU/_quVWqtyqik/03_probka.jpg?imgmax=512

http://lh3.google.ca/abramsv/R2cgv0KUZnI/AAAAAAAABFE/wejvzv9Khqo/04_probka.jpg?imgmax=512
(original unknown)


Jacek Yerka's unique solution to urban traffic problems, in surreal light:

http://lh6.google.ca/abramsv/R9WYPatLe4I/AAAAAAAALPQ/7z38RdA7S1k/1019562309_12ec523d22_o.jpg?imgmax=512


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The Urban Trap (every building is a mousetrap of some sort) -

http://lh4.google.ca/abramsv/R_cq6_XRm0I/AAAAAAAANiY/ZaylfHd4p4E/43645yrtyety.jpg?imgmax=512
(images credit: Jaap Vliegenth)

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http://lh4.google.ca/abramsv/R_cqo_XRmbI/AAAAAAAANfQ/i7R0Xd0U2JE/234534tergtwegrd.jpg?imgmax=512

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http://lh3.google.ca/abramsv/R_cqovXRmaI/AAAAAAAANfI/kn6YUkTDqw4/etysdfghsdh.jpg?imgmax=512

The director behind this spot is Josh Miller.


Visually Arresting Ads

These images will make you stop and take a second look, and maybe even consider the subject they advertise:

http://lh5.google.ca/abramsv/R9YyR6tLfCI/AAAAAAAALQ4/tmYWrbl2cis/s800/23456456rtyrt.jpg

Unfortunate Grim Reaper: World Aids Day -

http://lh4.google.ca/abramsv/R_cqx_XRmpI/AAAAAAAANhA/Y4zGbDOQ6XQ/s800/6214.jpg

http://lh5.google.ca/abramsv/R8Rw7aoD9aI/AAAAAAAAJek/S1sB_o7FWVI/16.jpg?imgmax=512

http://lh5.google.ca/abramsv/R8Rq7aoD9UI/AAAAAAAAJd0/Iwi_TfJBJB8/1.jpg?imgmax=512

http://lh5.google.ca/abramsv/R-q89fXRgYI/AAAAAAAAMow/4UKOGD4xaOI/028_pics.jpg?imgmax=512

http://lh3.google.ca/abramsv/R_QiMfXRkqI/AAAAAAAANPE/7UsUm_XD-do/028_pics.jpg?imgmax=512

http://lh5.google.ca/abramsv/R8PGSqoD7wI/AAAAAAAAJQw/Ev2SNQv6IZ4/08_pics.jpg?imgmax=512

http://lh3.google.ca/abramsv/R_cq0vXRmtI/AAAAAAAANhg/bLgHnMf7y00/s800/churba.jpg
(image credit: Herman Churba)

http://lh4.google.ca/abramsv/R_cqt_XRmjI/AAAAAAAANgQ/JrYPxqSrJBY/6685.jpg?imgmax=512

http://lh6.google.ca/abramsv/R_QiMPXRkpI/AAAAAAAANO8/lX2kC6tfITQ/s800/018_pics.jpg

"Geek Patrol" inside the PC:

http://lh3.google.ca/abramsv/R5LLnEKUq7I/AAAAAAAAEbM/B9nk_qN6Bj4/1913971799_2679638ec3_o.jpg?imgmax=512

Easiest way to travel:

http://lh6.google.ca/abramsv/R56LLO9HkVI/AAAAAAAAFTA/GJOdb4QT_6k/16_pics.jpg?imgmax=512

Great series for the "really sharp" knives:

http://lh3.google.ca/abramsv/R-21cPXRhQI/AAAAAAAAMxU/xcHOMgnoh8w/nozhi-1.jpg?imgmax=512

http://lh6.google.ca/abramsv/R-21b_XRhPI/AAAAAAAAMxM/dAuqr2IakzU/nozhi-5.jpg?imgmax=512

http://lh5.google.ca/abramsv/R-21bvXRhOI/AAAAAAAAMxE/MnErLaD2PS4/nozhi-7.jpg?imgmax=512

http://lh4.google.ca/abramsv/R-21cfXRhRI/AAAAAAAAMxc/TuBY50MVxC8/nozhi-4.jpg?imgmax=512

Apparently, using SAP Business Software can improve your financial situation:

http://lh5.google.ca/abramsv/R9Y-P6tLfMI/AAAAAAAALSI/dDiZO4w4h1o/1052.jpg?imgmax=512

Brute force (Mercedes) -

http://lh6.google.com/abramsv/R8-0QXH552I/AAAAAAAAK68/QvWO17w9480/71_pics.jpg?imgmax=512

Virus & Pest Control:

http://lh6.google.ca/abramsv/R8e0VQVx_5I/AAAAAAAAJ0Y/ZOIyOMU_1CU/101_pics.jpg?imgmax=512

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Soldiers are building the Playstation 3 Gamer Idol:
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http://lh3.google.ca/abramsv/R_cqtvXRmiI/AAAAAAAANgI/U5LZ4wujikU/6698.jpg?imgmax=512

"A different kind of construction company":

http://lh3.google.ca/abramsv/R_cquvXRmkI/AAAAAAAANgY/4hFpXByxOaw/6679.jpg?imgmax=512

Political Commentary: "Flags of Our Fathers" -

http://lh6.google.ca/abramsv/R_cqvfXRmlI/AAAAAAAANgg/xlJVntVpXD0/3705.jpg?imgmax=512
(Agency: FCB, Cape Town)

Pork and steak demolished by Alka-Seltzer:

http://lh5.google.ca/abramsv/R_cqwPXRmmI/AAAAAAAANgo/ji9TLQK801Q/6506.jpg?imgmax=512

http://lh3.google.ca/abramsv/R_cqwvXRmnI/AAAAAAAANgw/WG4HqcjW--8/6507.jpg?imgmax=512

Exciting way to the... toilet:

http://lh5.google.ca/abramsv/R8RVYaoD80I/AAAAAAAAJZw/IoxHog-sccA/07_kreativ_fotki.jpg?imgmax=512

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http://lh6.google.ca/abramsv/R5mGNe9HhrI/AAAAAAAAE6E/csZjVrAwpU4/024_pics.jpg?imgmax=512

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(Agency: Euro RSCG Brasil)


http://www.investec.com/EmailDisclaimer/emaildisclaimer.htm

The disclaimer also provides our corporate information and names of our directors as required by law.

The disclaimer is deemed to form part of this message in terms of Section 11 of the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act 25 of 2002.
If you cannot access the disclaimer, please obtain a copy thereof from us by sending an email to: disclaimer@investec.co.za