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I’ve heard of the zipper merge in the US too, many cities and states recommend it. I much prefer the zipper merge and I’ve always done it before I knew the name

by wil421 8y ago

I’ve heard of the zipper merge in the US too, many cities and states recommend it. I much prefer the zipper merge and I’ve always done it before I knew the name. Some states are even putting up signs about it. Minnesota[1]. Other states[2]. My home town[3]. [1]https://www.dot.state.mn.us/zippermerge/ https://www.dot.state.mn.us/zippermerge/ [2]https://www.fleetowner.com/driver-management-resource-center/magic-and-mystery-zipper-merge https://www.fleetowner.com/driver-management-resource-center... [3]https://www.ajc.com/news/local/gridlock-guy-transportation-officials-urge-use-zipper-merge/BaKOEqwrhAD0597B5fSssM/ https://www.ajc.com/news/local/gridlock-guy-transportation-o...

slantyyz 8y ago
I think the problem with adoption has less to do with the theory of zipper merging working than local culture and traffic enforcement. I live in Ontario, Canada, and despite of our reputation for politeness, we have some of the worst/most selfish drivers anywhere. Part of this is because there doesn't appear (anecdotally) to be a lot of traffic enforcement, so people now push the limits as much as possible, whether it be texting while driving, running red lights, tailgating or merging improperly. The only way I could see this work where I live is if there's strict enforcement to ensure it happens, otherwise you'll see behaviours like people not letting in mergers, or a second car trying to squeeze in after the legit merger.
NickBusey 8y ago
This has seemed so obvious to me forever, but I remember two instances very clearly that illustrate how much people generally hate it in the US. Once, (in Pennsylvania) there was construction coming up, with maybe still half a mile until the actual cones to merge. This one guy in a massive truck didn't like that people were using both lanes so he straddles his truck across both lanes causing no one to be able to pass on either side. Second, (in Colorado) there were signs that construction was coming up in a few miles, and the right lane would be closed. So, I was riding in the right lane, passing a massive line of cars in the left lane, getting flipped off the whole time, only to find out there was no closed lane. The signs just hadn't been taken down yet. So I was being flipped the bird because I was using a lane that was fully open. I think people just don't like feeling that other people are "getting ahead of them", in life in general, and especially in traffic.
mvexel 8y ago
Where I live, all too often there just isn't any runway to do this. When you're trying to merge, say, here: https://binged.it/2DTnemt https://binged.it/2DTnemt then all you can really do is rip right into traffic and people will just have to make space. It's the worst possible layout for supporting a smooth traffic flow, and it baffles me that they don't lay the extra 200ft of asphalt to improve this, especially in a state that has a DOT that does know how to apply innovative solutions to increase traffic flow like SPUIs and CFIs.

by wil421 8y ago

slantyyz 8y ago

I think the problem with adoption has less to do with the theory of zipper merging working than local culture and traffic enforcement. I live in Ontario, Canada, and despite of our reputation for politeness, we have some of the worst/most selfish drivers anywhere. Part of this is because there doesn't appear (anecdotally) to be a lot of traffic enforcement, so people now push the limits as much as possible, whether it be texting while driving, running red lights, tailgating or merging improperly. The only way I could see this work where I live is if there's strict enforcement to ensure it happens, otherwise you'll see behaviours like people not letting in mergers, or a second car trying to squeeze in after the legit merger.

NickBusey 8y ago

This has seemed so obvious to me forever, but I remember two instances very clearly that illustrate how much people generally hate it in the US. Once, (in Pennsylvania) there was construction coming up, with maybe still half a mile until the actual cones to merge. This one guy in a massive truck didn't like that people were using both lanes so he straddles his truck across both lanes causing no one to be able to pass on either side. Second, (in Colorado) there were signs that construction was coming up in a few miles, and the right lane would be closed. So, I was riding in the right lane, passing a massive line of cars in the left lane, getting flipped off the whole time, only to find out there was no closed lane. The signs just hadn't been taken down yet. So I was being flipped the bird because I was using a lane that was fully open. I think people just don't like feeling that other people are "getting ahead of them", in life in general, and especially in traffic.

mvexel 8y ago

Where I live, all too often there just isn't any runway to do this. When you're trying to merge, say, here: https://binged.it/2DTnemt https://binged.it/2DTnemt then all you can really do is rip right into traffic and people will just have to make space. It's the worst possible layout for supporting a smooth traffic flow, and it baffles me that they don't lay the extra 200ft of asphalt to improve this, especially in a state that has a DOT that does know how to apply innovative solutions to increase traffic flow like SPUIs and CFIs.