Leaving Early May Cost You Time 678
markmcb writes "OmniNerd has an interesting traffic article demonstrating how leaving early for work may cost you time. Brandon Hansen uses a year's worth of data collected on his urban drive to and from work along with statistical analysis to show the effects of varying departure times and considering external factors like nearby school districts' schedules. In the end, a minor shift in his departure time results in saving driving hours equivalent to over a third of the vacation time given annually by his employer."
Re:What rush hour? (Score:5, Interesting)
great (Score:2, Interesting)
thanks a lot, guys.
Choose wisely... (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:What rush hour? (Score:5, Interesting)
That's the entire reason (sleepcycle not withstanding) that I prefer the "later" strategy. A co-worker of mine gets in early (because he gets up early due to his wife's work schedule) He constantly bemoans the fact that he doesn't get recognition for the extra time, and has to stay to normal end-of-work because no managers are there nearly so early.
As the "doctor" says... "well stop doing that then..."
I don't consider it a time savings if my employer is the sole benificiary... I'd rather spend a few hours doing things around the house and go in AFTER rush hour if I got up that early anyhow. That way my saved time is MINE.
Re:Leaving Differently (Score:5, Interesting)
I tried big time to find the windows of opportunity to make it in to and out of detroit without sitting stopped for 30-60 minutes because some idiot creamed himself all over the 696.
I found there are several windows, in the morning, any time from 6:00am until 7:39am you MUST be past Novi and heading into detroit or you will be screwed and late to work by a minimum of 1/2 hour because of the above mentioned idiot. Leaving for home has some very strange windows of opportunity. at 4:00pm to 5:00pm you are as screwed as if you left at 5:00pm. BUT, 5:15-5:30 is a window that will give you a clear drive. after 5:30 it's a parking lot again until 6:15 and then 7:00pm-7:00am finally, construction completely thorws everything off and those guys at the State love to screw with traffic. HOV lanes usually will not work well because big time congestion will spill over into the HOV lanes (Detroit does not believe in HOV lanes, I'm waiting for Hummer and other vehicles that get less than 7mpg and less than 2 passenger lanes in the state)
Anyone with a simple logbook and about 30 days of driving the same route modifying departure times by 10 minutes each day will get the data they need.
When school is out, things change so re-run the data collection... same for construction that takes 1+ years.
It is not hard to get the data. But it is fun to give a smug wave to the ass that blew past you at 90mph about 20-30 minutes ago as you pass him stopped in traffic because you chosae the correct lane to stay in while he keeps switching lane to lane. (speeding get's you nothing in metro highway driving, anyone that pays attention knows this.)
The only real solution is to work for an employer that is not moronic and allows work times to be shifted and also allows Telecommuting. IT blows my mind how many managers are so low IQ that they can comprehend that shifting 1/2 your IT department's schedule by 1 hour will make a huge difference in morale and even gives the department an advantage in serving the rest of the company..
My own experience - with & without flex time (Score:2, Interesting)
In my current job, our company is pretty generous with flex time. I usually get into work ranging from 5am to 6am. There is little or no traffic and because of that, I don't have any road rage dealing with idiot drivers. On Mon and Tue, I usually work until 3 to 5pm to get some hours built up. Wed and Thu, I leave earlier and don't have to deal with the traffic on the way home and Friday is my short day.
In my previous job I left from back in October, our company worked with another company who is the prime contractor - gov't contracting for inquiring minds. The company I worked for was generous but the prime contractor was not. They were basically a 7am to 4pm operation. They do not like people leaving early especially on Friday. Some of our poeple had to go work at their facility and the first things they were told was they were expected to be there during normal business hours and comply with a dress code - dress slacks/pants were required, no jeans.
I was told this at one time, "It doesn't matter how early you get in, it is how late you stay that counts !". In some companies, even if the company offers flex time, there would be unwritten rules against taking it or it would be an unwritten rule that it was a perk for those who management liked.
Re:Doing the math... (Score:3, Interesting)
Well, Sweden, Norway, Canada, etc., have been doing this for a while, and they seem to do quite well. Sure, they might not have the strongest economies in the world, but I bet you they wouldn't change their social rights for the US system. Heck, even in Spain we have a much better health system than the US with twice the GDP per capita.
A work force that gets so spoiled that they riot in France because they're not given a job for life!.
The French riots (the most recent ones) were not exactly for "not being given a job for life". But that doesn't mean that I agree with them, anyway.
advantages of living in a small town . . . (Score:2, Interesting)
Now, travelling I-17 down to Phoenix, that's another story. I-17 gets backed up (both northbound and southbound) every friday afternoon, starting at about 2 or 3 pm, going until past 7 or 8 pm. Usually backed up from the Carefree Highway all the way to the Loop 101. Once you get on the 101, it's ok, but be careful for those Scottsdale Speed Cameras that like to take your picture for going too fast (or just smile when you go past ;-) ...
Re:What rush hour? (Score:3, Interesting)
Is his schedule any worse than the boss that is out for weeks at a time on business trips?
If having a wonky schedule is the worst thing a "shitty" boss has done for you, then I think you're doing pretty well. Try one that:
- berates you in front of other people
- takes credit for your good work
- blames you when explaining to their superiors why something they were tasked with didn't happen
- actively works to undercut any chance of advancement into other departments
- denies you the chance to work on a fulfilling project for no good reason
- tells you to do something one way, then publicly tries to humiliate you for not doing it the way they "really meant"
- knows they have to have you do a certain task for them for weeks, but waits until mere hours before the board presentation before actually telling you they need the work done
- demands you cancel a vacation (family reunion) that you've planned for months, along with work contingencies, just because they MIGHT need you to help with a board presentation
- parks his car in the short-term parking at the airport for a 2 week business trip because he was too lazy to park in long term (or take a cab/limo), and then claims we don't have enough money in the budget for essential things like replacing broken computers
Those things make for a shitty boss. A wonky schedule is not so bad - and in fact, probably indicates that I might get some flexibility in my own schedule - which is something I value a lot.
As for commuting, my current situation works well. I often work from home in the mornings until 9:30 or 10:0 and then drive to work. I can sit and answer e-mails from anywhere. With the delay on coming in, I get a nice short commute and I'm a happy worker.
bicycle commute (Score:2, Interesting)
I do. I lived in a crap-hole apt. for several years while saving my bucks and then bought a house at precisely the perfect cycling distance from work, between 7 miles http://tinyurl.com/a2b3p [tinyurl.com] and 9 miles http://tinyurl.com/8meqf [tinyurl.com]. Now i have two 25~35 minute mini-vacations every day.
Seriously: the worst day bicycle commuting beats a good day car commutting. YMMV, but it may be an option for some of you. If it is, thimk about it.
Re:US productivity per hour higher than EU (Score:3, Interesting)
The French argue that their productivity is lower only because they spend less off their lives in the work place, and there is some truth to that. If you look at the productivity per hour worked, instead of productivity per real-time year, France comes out ahead of the United States. In effect, it's "work hard, play hard", as opposed to "work endlessly".
Re:What rush hour? (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:not driving at all better (Score:4, Interesting)
everybody avoids the rush hour (Score:3, Interesting)
maybe there should be a way where offices are opened and closed gradually. maybe like schools be open at 7, government offices at 7:30, manufacturing at 8:00, others at 8:30. (i am not sure about the volume of traffic for each segment but you get the idea.) closing time will be graduated too. i guess the problem is with the peak loads. distribute the surge and it will be better for everyone.
employers should try to consider telecommuting as much as possible in this case.
Using sleep as a tool (Score:3, Interesting)
When I go back home, I usually bite the bullet and take the hour long (hopefully) trip back home. I have a lot of advantage over the other drivers because I only go through rush hour once. They have these desperate faces, and I am just relaxed with my iPod-iTrip combo, listening to some tunes while I get home.
Time gained: catch a train if you can. (Score:3, Interesting)
No, Leaving LATE Costs You Time (Score:5, Interesting)
The primary goal isn't to minimize the time spent driving (though that would be nice). The goal is to maximize time with your friends, family, hobby, etc. Staying late to avoid rush hour is pointless if you have somewhere you want to get to.
Re:Impossible (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:well... (Score:3, Interesting)
Of course I'm in the middle of africa, so having internet at all is a bonus.
Re:Leaving Differently (Score:3, Interesting)
Being a driver of a small car with only two seats, I'd like to see this concept flipped on it's head, and offer a lane to people who have fewer than a certain number of empty seats! This might keep the massive vehicles, like people-carriers, with just Mum + baby Tarquin or Jocaster, out of the way!
Re:Doing the math... (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:No, Leaving LATE Costs You Time (Score:3, Interesting)
Amen. Winning the traffic game is silly if the only one benefitting from it is your employer.
Re:Rule of 13 (Score:3, Interesting)
School Zones (Score:2, Interesting)
I live only 4 miles from my office. Depending on the time of day/year that I leave, it can take anywhere between 5-15 minutes. During the summer months it is typically less congested in the morning, and the same is true for winter/spring break - no buses or parents frantically trying to get their kids to school.
As a side note, the Oregon legislature decided almost 2 years back that little Timmy should be protected at 2AM on Christmas morning if Timmy so decides to visit the school grounds. This means that some school zones (areas that are normally 25-30mph) are in effect 24/7/365, meaning all traffic must bottleneck down to 20mph even if school is not in session at that time. I've heard they may be reconsidering this law, to lessen the time constraints.
Re:Doing the math... (Score:3, Interesting)
Astronomical Commute (Score:3, Interesting)