Traffic Jam

Traffic Jam Activity

The Concept:

    The student is presented with a line of people, separated into two equal groups, one on the left and one on the right. The objective of the student is then to move all the people from one side of the screen to the other. An empty space in the middle can be used to move one person into it. One person can jump over another person, but only over one other, and only if there is an empty space at their destination.

Instructions:

    Click on a person to move them into the empty space, if possible. The move can be made if the person is immediately next to the empty space or just one person from it.

    Controls:

Start: Begin a new exercise with the entered number of people on each side. All previous progress is lost.
Restart: Reset the exercise to its starting state. All previous progress is lost.
Undo: Go back one step, if possible. Can be used to proceed to the very beginning, before any moves were made.
Redo: Once Undo has been used, use Redo to proceed forward through the steps to arrive at the latest exercise configuration.
Replay: See progress made so far animated.
- If Undo/Redo is pressed during replay, the replay is stopped and the Undo/Redo operation is performed.
- If a person is clicked during replay, the replay is stopped and the move is attempted, and if possible, made.
Show/Hide Graph: Show or hide the graph window.

The Purpose:

Develop problem-solving skills
Develop an understanding of the solution
Find the pattern to calculate the number of moves to complete the puzzle with any number of people.

Problems?

    If you are having trouble loading the Applet, a possible solution is to update your Java Runtime Environment.
    To update your JRE, go to SUN's Java Webpage and follow the link to download Java software.

    If you are having problems using the applet, please notify Pavel Safronov.
        Please specify the applet you are using, your web browser, operating system and the particular problem experienced. Please be as detailed as possible.

The Credits:

Applet designed and coded by Pavel Safronov.
Contact at MSTE offices:

505 East Green Street, Suite 102
Champaign, IL 61820

Please e-mail me with comments, error reports or complaints you have about the applet.