Lesson 3: Gridlocking
In the city of Pittsburgh, there isn't very much going on. In fact, every year most of the young people who can get out, do get out. The only people who stay are those who actually believe that it is a great place to live and that the city is just as important as any other city. Well, since it isn't much like other cities, with its small size and areas rigidly partitioned, we must rely on illusions to give us reminders of what a real city is like.
On the streets, the illusion is gridlock. Actually, there is no good reason why it should take 15 minutes to travel 1-2 miles at any time here, since there aren't that many cars or people, and there aren't that many places to go. So to make the illusion work, everyone is responsible to causing gridlock where they can. This, along with the road planning which has further restricted the flow of traffic, increases the number of cars on the road at any time. Some may even believe it is an actual city.
With a little teamwork, gridlock is easy to create. If everyone created a little gridlock every day, we could easily double commute times for everybody.
Even if you miss an opportunity to gridlock, be patient - one is right around the corner. The Pittsburgh Driving Authority distributes peripheral vision blinders if you have trouble ignoring things not directly in front of you.
Be sure never to signal, unless you are signalling in the wrong direction or after you have already turned. Traffic can be slowed down much more easily when you allow for a little ambiguity in your future actions.