Alternate / zipper merge

[Anonymous]

Most roads that have been modernized where two lanes merge into one will have signage that says "alternate merge" or "form single lane". Despite that, why is it every day when I come home from work this one highway that goes from two lanes to one just after a stoplight has about 1/2 mile backup in the left lane and barely any cars in the right lane?

Why are people refusing to participate in the zipper merge and what do they gain by delaying their own and everyone else's procession through the stop light due to an extended accordion effect? Why not just follow the signage as written and make use of the deliberately paved roadway. Also why get angry at those who do follow the signage and try to prevent them from merging in? Please explain.

[Anonymous]

I get it op. No one alternates. I really hate those signs though. Its like the state is counting on everyone to be polite. It would be better to have one lane merge in to the other.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I get it op. No one alternates. I really hate those signs though. Its like the state is counting on everyone to be polite. It would be better to have one lane merge in to the other.

That's what the signs used to say and sometimes still do. It doesn't work very well which is why they changed them, but people still do it the least efficient way possible.

[Anonymous]

The zipper merge is the metric system of driving.

It's a great idea that requires cooperation and attentiveness to make the situation better for all of us!
In other words, the zipper merge is doomed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The zipper merge is the metric system of driving.

It's a great idea that requires cooperation and attentiveness to make the situation better for all of us!
In other words, the zipper merge is doomed.

But, yes, I do it and will always let you in. (blue Prius)

[Anonymous]

My guess is that you’re seeing the open line is because the merge line wasn’t that long before you got there. If the merge line is short, you just get in at the open spot even if it’s a 100ft before the merge.

I’m all about the zipper merge as long as you’re not a jerk about it. There is always that one driver that will pass the obviously open spot to pass a handful of cars just to get a little ahead. Don’t be that guy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My guess is that you’re seeing the open line is because the merge line wasn’t that long before you got there. If the merge line is short, you just get in at the open spot even if it’s a 100ft before the merge.

I’m all about the zipper merge as long as you’re not a jerk about it. There is always that one driver that will pass the obviously open spot to pass a handful of cars just to get a little ahead. Don’t be that guy.

The best thing for traffic flow is for the cars in the merge lane to go ALL THE WAY to the end of merge lane, and then merge. That's why I'm passing that open spot to get further ahead. That's what traffic engineers want me to do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My guess is that you’re seeing the open line is because the merge line wasn’t that long before you got there. If the merge line is short, you just get in at the open spot even if it’s a 100ft before the merge.

I’m all about the zipper merge as long as you’re not a jerk about it. There is always that one driver that will pass the obviously open spot to pass a handful of cars just to get a little ahead. Don’t be that guy.

The best thing for traffic flow is for the cars in the merge lane to go ALL THE WAY to the end of merge lane, and then merge. That's why I'm passing that open spot to get further ahead. That's what traffic engineers want me to do.

Yeah, when there is a lot of traffic. When the traffic is minimal just get in and keep traffic flowing. Just use common sense.

[Anonymous]

The zipper merge is the metric system of driving.

LOL! So true.

The spot where Rock Creek Parkway splits onto Beach? OMG. This is where Maryland drivers go to shine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My guess is that you’re seeing the open line is because the merge line wasn’t that long before you got there. If the merge line is short, you just get in at the open spot even if it’s a 100ft before the merge.

I’m all about the zipper merge as long as you’re not a jerk about it. There is always that one driver that will pass the obviously open spot to pass a handful of cars just to get a little ahead. Don’t be that guy.

The best thing for traffic flow is for the cars in the merge lane to go ALL THE WAY to the end of merge lane, and then merge. That's why I'm passing that open spot to get further ahead. That's what traffic engineers want me to do.

Yeah, when there is a lot of traffic. When the traffic is minimal just get in and keep traffic flowing. Just use common sense.

This.

After that University of Wisconsin paper was published it was laughed at. Literally. It doesn't come close to resembling reality. Why? Because zippers have three attributes that are required to work. If one gets messed up, the zipper doesn't work. It jams. Guess what? Human beings share exactly zero of those attributes.

Use common sense. Match the speed of traffic. Move smoothly and deliberately. And let people in. And don't brake. Needless braking on freeways causes phantome traffic jams (traffic jams with no apparent cause).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My guess is that you’re seeing the open line is because the merge line wasn’t that long before you got there. If the merge line is short, you just get in at the open spot even if it’s a 100ft before the merge.

I’m all about the zipper merge as long as you’re not a jerk about it. There is always that one driver that will pass the obviously open spot to pass a handful of cars just to get a little ahead. Don’t be that guy.

OP here. Most people will complain about the car that rides the empty lane to the front of the line. I say if everyone filled in all empty lanes, there would be no advantage to picking any particular lane and.worse case acting like a jerk gets you 1 at most 2 spots ahead.

[Anonymous]

Zipper merge just doesn't work with jerk drivers. If I wait until the end to zipper in, the drivers won't let you in. And often then you'd need to stop and wait for a spot to merge in, which is never ever going to happen. I don't stop, but I see many cars that do just stop at the end rather than wreck. No one lets them merge and they'd hit the concrete wall if they didn't stop.

Drivers also not allowing people to merge causes the right lane to become incredibly overcrowded compared to other lanes. If you know you only have a few miles to go until you need to get off, you just stay in the right lane because you know no one will let you merge right again if you get out of the lane. Right lane is just a solid wall of cars.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My guess is that you’re seeing the open line is because the merge line wasn’t that long before you got there. If the merge line is short, you just get in at the open spot even if it’s a 100ft before the merge.

I’m all about the zipper merge as long as you’re not a jerk about it. There is always that one driver that will pass the obviously open spot to pass a handful of cars just to get a little ahead. Don’t be that guy.

OP here. Most people will complain about the car that rides the empty lane to the front of the line. I say if everyone filled in all empty lanes, there would be no advantage to picking any particular lane and.worse case acting like a jerk gets you 1 at most 2 spots ahead.

If you drive until the end of the merge lane, you run the risk of crashing when the other cars don't let you in. Chances are very high that you won't be allowed in by the other cars.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I get it op. No one alternates. I really hate those signs though. Its like the state is counting on everyone to be polite. It would be better to have one lane merge in to the other.

That's what the signs used to say and sometimes still do. It doesn't work very well which is why they changed them, but people still do it the least efficient way possible.

The alternate works better than the one lane ending? At least with one lane ending you know who has the right of way and it works like a highway. They would be better off having a red light that makes one car go at a time. Alternate merge is good on principle but not in practice.

No different than maryland drivers and circles. Drivers don't get them, they don't reduce accidents and in some places car speed doesn't reduce at the circle either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My guess is that you’re seeing the open line is because the merge line wasn’t that long before you got there. If the merge line is short, you just get in at the open spot even if it’s a 100ft before the merge.

I’m all about the zipper merge as long as you’re not a jerk about it. There is always that one driver that will pass the obviously open spot to pass a handful of cars just to get a little ahead. Don’t be that guy.

OP here. Most people will complain about the car that rides the empty lane to the front of the line. I say if everyone filled in all empty lanes, there would be no advantage to picking any particular lane and.worse case acting like a jerk gets you 1 at most 2 spots ahead.

If you drive until the end of the merge lane, you run the risk of crashing when the other cars don't let you in. Chances are very high that you won't be allowed in by the other cars.

If traffic is moving fast, what should happen is every car leaves enough space that you can merge in. If a car looks to not be cooperating, then you drop back to the next spot. It shouldn't be a last minute determination if you will get in or not