spillback
Congestion spreading backward
Spillback is congestion that backs up from one point and affects traffic or flow elsewhere.
When an intersection clogs, spillback blocks upstream intersections: Spillback from the freeway exit had cars waiting three blocks.
The term appears in traffic engineering and extends to any system where blockage at one point creates delays at earlier points.
Cascading secondary results
- knock-on effectSecondary consequence of action
- blowbackUnintended negative consequences
- chain reactionSelf-sustaining causal sequence
- domino effectSequential causation phenomenon
repercussion · fallout · ramifications · unintended consequences · collateral damage · cascade · downstream effects · feedback loop
Liquid reversing course
- overflowExceed capacity and spill
- refluxBackward liquid movement
- backwashWater pushed back
- surgeSudden powerful increase
regurgitation · displacement · runoff · seepage · leakage · drainage · discharge · outflow
ripple effect
Cascading secondary results
- knock-on effectSecondary consequence of action
- blowbackUnintended negative consequences
- chain reactionSelf-sustaining causal sequence
domino effect · repercussion · fallout · ramifications · unintended consequences · collateral damage · cascade · downstream effects · feedback loop · rebound
backflow
Liquid reversing course
surge · regurgitation · displacement · runoff · seepage · leakage · drainage · discharge · outflow · pooling
congestion
Excessive accumulation causing blockage
- backupStored duplicate for recovery
- gridlockComplete mutual obstruction
- bottleneckConstriction limiting throughput
queue · tailback · jam · standstill · logjam · snarl · overflow · delay · blockage · clog
- traffic engineeringtraffic signal, traffic light, traffic control, traffic jam, congestion