Explain My Commute To Me

Back to an old theme here, namely traffic and commuting. I normally take the Worcester-Framingham Line into South Station, and it is mostly OK - usually around fine minutes late getting into town, usually on time getting home. Today I got a text message (the T will send you texts if your train is having issues) that the line was having delays due to weather related issues - specifically, wet leaves on the tracks. Seriously. So I drove.

I was prepared for delays on the Pike due to glare or extra traffic due to people diverted from the train (which ended up with 60 minute delays and cancelations), but the Pike was pretty average - the usual slow spots, nothing crazy. Downtown, however, was another matter. It took me 45 minutes to get from the Pike exit at South Station to the corner of Purchase Street and Oliver Street. That is basically a few blocks. No accident, no closed lane, but lots of gridlock and road rage. I contributed more than my share of the last item.

I am mystified by this and have two theories. One, could the traffic lights have been off due to the time change, and they were acting like it was 9:15 instead of 8:15? Two, could the drivers have been off because of the time change, and they were acting like idiots? Any traffic theoreticians out there? Anyone else sit on Atlantic Avenue in Boston for way too long this morning and have their own idea? I'm thinking of walking tomorrow...

Comments

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We had an equivalent experience driving through Allston and Harvard Square this morning. It didn't take 45 minutes but it was much more crowded than a normal Fall Monday morning. The morning commute had the same feel of early September announcing that summer is over.

[LilMisBusy]

Perhaps try driving to Riverside next time? I'm not a fan of my commute either, but you'd have a seat and about 7 times out of 10, things go smoothly. I wonder if it's all the braking for pedestrians?

[E]

That sounds like a fresh hell every day. Wow.