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PSA: it is ok and optimal to merge while driving at the last second, not cheating as the author claims It’s called a zipper merge. Per the state of Minnesota,

PSA: it is ok and optimal to merge while driving at the last second, not cheating as the author claims It’s called a zipper merge. Per the state of Minnesota, doing so Reduces differences in speeds between two lanes Reduces the overall length of traffic backup by as much as 40 percent Reduces congestion on freeway interchanges Creates a sense of fairness and equity that all lanes are moving at the same rate https://www.dot.state.mn.us/zippermerge/ https://www.dot.state.mn.us/zippermerge/

zhoujianfu 5y ago
I’m pretty sure a zipper merge is usually when two lanes merge into one, in that case it’s fine and normal when the actual merging happens at the end, with cars from each lane taking turns to become the final lane (like a zipper). And I’m also pretty sure he means when there’s one exit lane that’s really backed up and somebody in the non-exiting lane next to it that’s not backed up drives right up to the last minute and merges in, thereby “cutting the line”. Not the same thing IMO, although I am very frequently guilty of the latter!
- mindslight 5y ago
  It's only wrong to "wait until the last second to merge" when that line is going extremely slowly or is fully stopped. Most of the time there is a line of cars moving along at 70% of the road speed before an exit, because there is some "leader of men" going slowly in preparation for the exit (or not!), with plenty of room in front of them. In this case you're helping everyone by passing that line and using the road capacity they're wasting.
karmakaze 5y ago
Zipper merging is not about 'when' you merge, but 'where'. It should be every-other car from each lane. Ideally this should be done before the end of the lane. It only ends up being the end of the lane and causing inefficiencies because of those who speed past their zipper spot, and are cheating. If I see that happening a few times, what I'll do is move along in sync with the other lane leaving space ahead of me where the lane ends.
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zhoujianfu 5y ago

I’m pretty sure a zipper merge is usually when two lanes merge into one, in that case it’s fine and normal when the actual merging happens at the end, with cars from each lane taking turns to become the final lane (like a zipper). And I’m also pretty sure he means when there’s one exit lane that’s really backed up and somebody in the non-exiting lane next to it that’s not backed up drives right up to the last minute and merges in, thereby “cutting the line”. Not the same thing IMO, although I am very frequently guilty of the latter!

mindslight 5y ago
It's only wrong to "wait until the last second to merge" when that line is going extremely slowly or is fully stopped. Most of the time there is a line of cars moving along at 70% of the road speed before an exit, because there is some "leader of men" going slowly in preparation for the exit (or not!), with plenty of room in front of them. In this case you're helping everyone by passing that line and using the road capacity they're wasting.

karmakaze 5y ago

Zipper merging is not about 'when' you merge, but 'where'. It should be every-other car from each lane. Ideally this should be done before the end of the lane. It only ends up being the end of the lane and causing inefficiencies because of those who speed past their zipper spot, and are cheating. If I see that happening a few times, what I'll do is move along in sync with the other lane leaving space ahead of me where the lane ends.

deleted 5y ago

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