self-organization in hanoi traffic

hanoi, vietnam, 24feb2009. this is a nice example of self-organization as described by complexity theory. there are no fixed "top-down" laws (i.e. traffic lights), and yet the incredible traffic flows continuously.

in complexity terms, the collective motion emerges from the multiple local interactions between the "agents" (drivers and pedestrians), mediated by horn sounds, eye contact, body gestures etc.

להסבר מפורט בעברית ראו
http://bendov.info/heb/sci/hanoi.htm

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• hanoi
• vietnam
• traffic
• street
• complexity
• self-organization

[utubepredator]

I supposed if there was something in the very middle of the intersection (a rock, a monument etc), and given constant dense traffic, some kind of rotary / roundabout would appear.

[MarkPetros]

Looks like fun ~ I'm just watching for that corner building to collapse ~ nice construction!

[nicolerowan]

Requires and teaches patience too.

[nicolerowan]

wonderful video, thanks! At such a steady, constant and relatively slow pace, it seems like a much more human place than the cars stopping for lights and then zipping off like crazy maniacs only to be stopped again 30 seconds later wasting gas and making a lot more loud noise.

[Dandaniels1978]

This is my internal world of thought. I dont know why I do things, I just do things. I have no plan, no organisation but it works so beautifully though. To an outsider it seems so random. I am chaos and out of chaos there comes such harmony

[Juefawn]

I don't know how they shop with motor bikes. Amazing.

[mekiwiguy]

Enomarekim misses the point - its nothing to do with la la la fat cats, its to do with self organisation and like flocks of birds in flight, this is a classic example (although a little more random). Here in the UK there is quite a strong movement against traffic lights simply because it slows the traffic down. Note too that there are not street markings here (and being only four roads this is quite a good idea)

[enomarekim]

Every one would die without Traffic lights!(stick fingers in ears, blind fold self) " la la la la la la la la la la la la, capitlalism is evil, la la la la la la, corporate fat cats, la la la la...."

[Bornatnight1]

Looks like you found a busy intersection!

[deplo]

nice video! compliments!