Traffic Merging: The Zipper Method

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: supton
I still don't remember going over this in Driver's Ed (granted, it was 20 years ago, and I did live about 50 miles from a 2 lane highway).

Unfortunately, this and many other valuable driving concepts aren't taught in a typical driver's handbook in the US. Just like you won't find the mention of "keep right except to pass" in many US driver's handbooks, and then we end up with a bunch of left lane hoggers.


Another topic only vaguely covered in Drivers Ed: roundabouts. The US seems to love their 4-way stop signs, which just slows down traffic, and forces you to come to a complete stop (wastes time and gas), whether there is traffic or not. On the other hand, roundabouts keep the traffic moving and a good pace. Alas, many people here have trouble understanding the whole yield/right of way thing on roundabouts. Although, there are places in the US that do make good use of them (some cities in Washington state, for example). Sadly, Illinois is not one of them.

 

[yvon_la]

I don't mind how they pass,its traffic,but PLEASE INDICATE YOUR INTENTION.you might be fairly ok doing whatever around big rig driver ,he or she know before you do what stupidity you ll do but if you are a 4 wheeler or worst a motorcycle or a bycicle and you don't indicate your intention ,you are very likly to have an accident ,this is one thing I wish was recorded on all vehicule!most of the time this is the main cause of accident ,the lack whats what.what is your plan traffic wise,would you mind sharing it with the rest of us!

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: yvon_la
what is your plan traffic wise,would you mind sharing it with the rest of us!

Ah, but that IS their plan: do not reveal their intentions in order to catch you by surprise. After all, if someone signals that they want to merge into your lane, you might notice it and prevent them from doing so.

 

[gathermewool]

In the real world, grampi has a point. He may be wrong, just like the rest of us who get over early, but the reality is, most people do get over and those who speed to the end are seen as selfish jerks, right or wrong. We, the sheeple, need guidance, like in MN...

 

[Drew99GT]

I admit it; I'm a "zipperer". Especially in my area where I knwo the traffic flow and patterns; it's easy to pass everyone and merge in late without cutting anyone off. I always make sure and let others in who do the same behind or ahead of me. There is one area in town where a 3 lane major road through town ends at the interstate and everyone gets in the right lane. It backs up for miles and everyone drives ludicrously slow; it's safer and easier IMO to stay in the middle or left lane and merge over to the right lane closer to the onramp as openings occur and they always do. I never try and take it to the end of the lane that closes and cut people off trying to get in though, I just sneak in when there is an opening.

And yes, it regulatory [censored] people off. Next time someone exercises their middle finger, I will have the zipper method paperwork at hand and tell them I'm helping them.

 

[EdwardC]

Interesting discussion.

I've seen where semis crawl down the lane that's closing with open road in front of them up to the merge point. I had assumed it was to block the people from zipping down the empty lane, but possibly they are doing what they can to move the zipper point to the actual merge point?

If I'm in the position to do so, I'll always let that semi merge in front of me, returning the favor (if it was such a thing).

 

[fdcg27]

Originally Posted By: grampi
Originally Posted By: fdcg27
There is a book entitled "Traffic" in which this very point is made.
To use all available lanes as long as possible actually maximizes road capacity thereby reducing congestion.
The problem is that most drivers are competitive and not cooperative.
Most drivers prefer the you're not getting in front of me method.


I don't agree...if everybody moves over early then traffic stays moving...it's the idiots who want to go all the way to the front of the line then force their way over that causes stoppages because people have to stop to let them in...


Actually not.
Using more square feet of road for as long as possible obviously increases the amount of traffic that can be put through.
If everyone drives at a reasonable speed with a reasonable following distance, then the traffic needing to merge can do so smoothly with no one needing to brake.
Your post is an example of the lack of sensible driving and cooperation that allow traffic to flow smoothly through choke points.
On the public roadways, it isn't every man for himself.
The roads we drive on are not tracks and those wanting to drive competitively should pony up the bucks required for a track-worthy car and accept the potential mechanical and collision damage.
Challenging an old-school SUV with your 'rolla when both you and the other driver are intent on taking the same piece of concrete doesn't seem conducive to a long and injury free life.
As was said in an old TV ad, while you may think that you have the right of way, you could be wrong. Dead wrong.
Just the way things really are.
I tend to run my own race in street driving.
Much easier on my nerves, my mood and my fuel bills.
You want to get in front of me while accelerating toward that red light?
Go right ahead. I won't stop you.
You want to sit in the left lane going only slightly faster than the traffic you're passing?
I won't be too impressed with your driving ability or manners, but I won't ride your bumper either.
Too many other things in life and the world that are of real concern and interest.

 

[djb]

I think that there is a miscommunication here, and a misunderstanding to the 'correct' merge rules.

You merge at the merge point.

The merge point is almost always designated with a yellow sign. For a permanent merge this will be roughly be where the dashed white lane marker ends. If there is no sign, then the last white dash is the merge point.

To merge properly you should stay in you current lane. A few hundred yards before the merge point you should match speed with the adjacent lane. When you get close enough to identify which vehicles you will be merging between, position yourself halfway between their bumpers. But only merge at the designed merge point.

You can merge before the merge point, but you've given up your "position" in the original lane. If it was significantly before the merge point you should expect that someone might pass you.

If you pass after the merge point, you have just made an illegal, dangerous pass.

 

[DBMaster]

Originally Posted By: 440Magnum
mathematics is blind to human stupidity


I want a good picture to go with this and it will become the next print to hang over my mantel!

 

[clinebarger]

I guess in theory it would work, I will stick with merging early so I don't have to exercise my "The turn signal is a Warning NOT a Plea"

 

[Cutehumor]

as someone pointed out, semi trucks regularly block zipper lanes when merging. They don't want cars going in front of them.

 

[A_Harman]

Merging could be easy if people would just take turns, but many drivers automatically just slow down when they see a bend in the road. Then the cars behind them close up, so that nobody can zipper in. Then traffic starts to jam, and blood pressure start to rise.

 

[gathermewool]

Originally Posted By: Drew99GT


And yes, it regulatory [censored] people off. Next time someone exercises their middle finger, I will have the zipper method paperwork at hand and tell them I'm helping them.


Oh, no, what have I done???

 

[gathermewool]

Originally Posted By: Cutehumor
as someone pointed out, semi trucks regularly block zipper lanes when merging. They don't want cars going in front of them.


This is the opposite of my experience. Just as with some jerk passenger-car drivers, there are jerk commercial drivers, but by and large many truckers I've shared the road with leave plenty of room for the maniacs around them to fill. Why would they want to shift any more than necessary?

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: threeputtpar
I like people like you who merge early. That clears the ending lane for me to put the hammer down and get ahead of all the slow drivers.

But seriously, there aren't enough intelligent, licensed drivers in this country to actually pull off the zipper method. Germany, maybe.


Precisely. Merging early is idiotic and slows everybody down, including the early mergers.

I lump the early merge in the class with "needing" a v6 or v8 to safely drive and merge.

For a while, some construction zones in PA had signs demanding alternate merge. They started by saying to stay in the lane to the merge point, then had big signs showing where to merge and for it to alternate. Sometimes there were cops at the end to prevent stupidity. Worked beautifully.

 

[Garak]

Originally Posted By: gathermewool
So, what does BITOG think about the zipper method. Feel free to digress into ranting about poor merging experiences. I only ask that all of us later or earlier mergers keep it civil.

Saskatoon has it as a matter of practice on the University Bridge eastbound during rush hour, at least when I lived there. Clevy can let us know if that's still in effect.

For construction, I've encountered it only once, and it was fantastic. I was driving in the lower mainland in BC some years ago, and there is a whack of traffic there. I see construction ahead, and I'm thinking I'm doomed to live out my remaining days in this traffic. Nope. Everyone was polite, and did exactly what they should, and we got through in record time.

As 440Magnum mentions, one goober would ruin it, so it probably couldn't work in Saskatchewan, although they certainly should try.

 

[Rick in PA]

I've seen it work once. Philadelphia, rush hour traffic. Two lanes merge into one for construction. The thing that made it work was the PA State Trooper watching over the merge. He was a BIG fellow, looked like ex-Marine, arms crossed, scowling at everyone. And everyone was super polite, nicely taking their turns, merging with courtesy. It was almost like the people were saying "pardon me, it's your turn", "oh, thank you for letting me in", smooth as silk. And the Trooper just watching over it all...

 

[aquariuscsm]

Originally Posted By: supton
First off: nothing peeves me off as someone trying to cut me off without using a blinker.


^^This times a zillion!! Then they all throw their arms up in the air at you because you didn`t read their mind and know they wanted over. I honestly think people these days think it`s uncool or unhip to use a turning signal!

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: aquariuscsm
I honestly think people these days think it`s uncool or unhip to use a turning signal!

Wait a minute... are you saying these blinky thingys on my car aren't just a decoration?

 

[andrewg]

Question....If this "zipper" thing is the preferred method, then why do illuminated traffic signals approaching these closed lanes typically say..."Right lane closed ahead....merge left"? Shouldn't it say...."Right lane closed ahead....follow until lane ends then merge left"? I've seen these "merge left" warnings WAY ahead of any "zipper" point.