Do you merge sooner, or later?

[MossRoad]

The zipper method does not mean you get to fly to the end of the closed lane then expect someone to slam on their brakes to let you in. The zipper method means when they post a lane closure, you look for a hole, or make a hole (if you're in the thru lane) and start to merge.

The zipper method means you merge at the merge point. Everyone should use both lanes right up to the merge sign. The through traffic lane folks have the obligation to let cars from the merging lane take turns coming in.

 

[steve tym]

I guess it does mean that. I don't see it working.

 

[MossRoad]

I guess it does mean that. I don't see it working.

On our travels over the past decade we've seen it work very well where people actually do it.

Unfortunately, even though it's marked to continue to use both lanes until the merge point, you'll get that 'one guy' that'll pull into the lane in front of you to prevent you from getting by him (which is illegal). Kinda funny. They'll do something illegal to prevent you from doing something that is legal.

We saw a guy get pulled over for that in Illinois a couple years ago. It was quite satisfying.

 

[RayIN]

I like that. And it extends to those idiots who don’t accept their posted or legal right-of-way. Few things piss me off more than some idiot, usually older men, who stop traffic and wave someone thru, against the legal right of way. It most often happens when they’re turning off the main road, I’m stuck behind them, and they’re waiving some other too-slow driver onto the main road in front me me.

Traffic laws are not discretionary, don’t go making up your own, just get the F out of my way and follow the law.

I have 2 cousins who retired from the state police. They both told me to never gesture for another vehicle to do something. Reason_ It could be construed as I'm assuming liability for the other drivers subsequent action.

 

[Runner]

I guess it does mean that. I don't see it working.

It works a lot better if (1) people in the through traffic lane actually leave a little room for the people in the merging lane to merge and (2) if the people in the merge lane move over one at a time, instead of 15 cars trying to take advantage of a two-car space.

 

[steve tym]

I can see it working if the cars are autonomous, but not with human beings in control. I guess there will be a learning curve for people. Like this thread. My thoughts have been "I waited in line, you can wait in line. You wouldn't cut in front of me at the grocery store." In theory, I can see it working.

 

[bdhsfz6]

On our travels over the past decade we've seen it work very well where people actually do it.

I agree, it does work in some locations. On the Massachusetts Turnpike, not so much.
They don't call drivers up there Massholes for nothing.

 

[Runner]

Flying cars will probably work someday too. What could go wrong?

 

[MossRoad]

I can see it working if the cars are autonomous, but not with human beings in control. I guess there will be a learning curve for people. Like this thread. My thoughts have been "I waited in line, you can wait in line. You wouldn't cut in front of me at the grocery store." In theory, I can see it working.

No, I wouldn't cut in front of you at the grocery store. But if you offered to let me go first, I'd thank you and go. That's the way the zipper merge is supposed to work. You open up a little space in front of you and let the guy to your side move over in front of you.

 

[MossRoad]

Flying cars will probably work someday too. What could go wrong?

Absolutely nothing could go wrong.