ALSANCAK COASTAL CORRIDOR – SCENIC DECELERATION BRAKE WAVE AT SUNSET

Westbound along the Alsancak Coastal Corridor, the sea remains visible in extended segments. During clear evenings, especially in late spring and summer, sunset light falls directly across the waterline.

Drivers slow without signaling.

Time pattern: 18:45–19:45 late spring and summer.

Unlike commercial deceleration, this reduction in speed is not linked to an entry point. It is aesthetic. A vehicle reduces speed slightly to observe the horizon, adjust a window, or point out the view.

The brake application is gentle but contagious.

A typical sequence unfolds:

Vehicle A reduces speed subtly while approaching a sea-facing stretch.
Vehicle B behind maintains prior corridor speed and reacts with mild braking.
Vehicle C reacts to Vehicle B slightly later.
Within seconds, a short brake wave propagates backward through 5–10 vehicles.

No single driver is at fault.

Alsancak differs from inland corridors because visual exposure to the sea invites momentary distraction. The road geometry remains linear and stable. The slowdown appears harmless.

However, the corridor behind may include drivers expecting steady commercial-strip rhythm rather than scenic hesitation.

Historically, as residential density increased westward and more drivers used the corridor daily, sunset timing began to overlap with return traffic windows.

Evening glare compounds the effect. Low sun angle reduces contrast depth, particularly for westbound vehicles. Brake lights may blend with reflected sunlight on the damp or polished surface.

The structural seam forms under four overlapping factors:

Scenic visual draw
Unsignaled gentle deceleration
Following driver expectation of steady speed
Low sun glare

The risk is not abrupt braking. It is synchronized mild deceleration without cue.

On the Alsancak Coastal Corridor, sunset does not stop traffic.
It slows it just enough to ripple backward.

The horizon captures attention.
The brake wave forms behind it.