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.

 

[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.

 

[Runner]

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.

Sorry, that's too much like common courtesy. Can't have that.

 

[Oaktree]

^^^^
Also not quite the same as you mention, but when there is a long line of oncoming traffic and somebody wants to turn left. So they will sit there letting traffic back up behind them. Maybe it's foolish but I will forgo my turn to avoid tying up 20 or more cars behind me.

Or at the very least pull as far to the left in your lane as possible to make room for others to get around you on the right.

 

[Jstpssng]

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.

It also helps if the merging car tries to match the speed of the traffic it's pulling into.

 

[RayIN]

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.

Let me get this straight; you're saying I should leave double the safe following distance from the car in front of me so someone can merge into my lane. That means much less occupied roadway and the cars behind me must also slow down to allow double the safe following distance.
How far back from the lane restriction should we begin slowing down then, while observing other drivers zipping by to find an open space closer to the lane closure?

 

[MossRoad]

Sorry, that's too much like common courtesy. Can't have that.

What was I thinking???

 

[lman]

What was I thinking???

Common courtesy goes both ways. I wouldn't call it courteous for a driver to move from the thru lane to speed up, exceeding the speed limit and then pass the law abiding drivers and then cut somebody off to get back in the lane he was in to save 20 seconds.

 

[newkiotiguy]

Common courtesy goes both ways. I wouldn't call it courteous for a driver to move from the thru lane to speed up, exceeding the speed limit and then pass the law abiding drivers and then cut somebody off to get back in the lane he was in to save 20 seconds.

That isn't even close to what this discussion is about though

 

[steve tym]

That isn't even close to what this discussion is about though

It's exactly what this discussion is about. I usually leave space at the first sign, as I get closer to the closure, the space gets smaller and smaller. If you haven't merged buy now, don't expect me to let you in.

 

[MossRoad]

That isn't even close to what this discussion is about though

Yeah, it's kinda lost on many that the point of the sign is so that people will read it and follow the instructions. It's hard to teach an old dog new tricks.

 

[bdhsfz6]

Reminds me of the Neil Diamond song "Signs":

"Some are born who would defy them,
Others still who would deny them

Some are born who never need them,
Others still who never read them"