Thought experiment about cars and journey times.

[mike_nofx]

I have a bit of a thought experiment and i'm wondering if anyone has any ideas on the outcome.

If 2 cars leave on a 100km journey through a city, leaving from the same point and arriving at the same destination, with car A leading, and car B following from behind after 2 seconds, will they arrive at the destination still only 2 seconds apart from each other?

The rules are that:

- Must always stick to the speed limit

- Driving style between 2 drivers is the same. Same speed take offs, same speed slowing down to stop.

- Must always stick to the left-most lane, with no changing lanes to overtake (If left lane is flowing faster than right lane that is ok).

- Cannot speed through amber lights, stop if you have time.

- Car A cannot wait for car B. If car A gets through a set of lights and car B misses out, car A continues as normal.

- Car B cannot tailgate car A, a normal safe gap must be left (2 second gap) unless stopped.


Things to consider are that due to the fact that the drive is through a city, which includes many sets of traffic lights, its inevitable car A will make it through traffic lights that car B misses out on, and also other cars will almost certainly come between car A and car B, especially if a safe gap is left.

The question again is, will both cars make it to the destination after 100km and still only have a 2 second time difference?