What is the purpose of maintaining ATIS or local traffic pattern altitude when entering the traffic pattern?

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Maintaining the published traffic pattern altitude as you enter keeps all aircraft in the pattern at a predictable vertical position, which makes spacing and sequencing around the airport safer and easier to manage. When everyone flies at the same altitude, you can judge relative position to other aircraft more reliably, merge onto the downwind leg smoothly, and descend in a controlled, orderly way for the final approach. The altitude is published specifically to create this predictable flow and to keep traffic within the protected pattern airspace.

This isn’t about flying as high as possible, avoiding ATIS, or racing for speed. Climbing to a higher altitude would disrupt established spacing; ATIS is still important for winds, runway, and other information, and speed should be managed to maintain safe separation rather than maximize velocity in the pattern.