Zipper merge is best merge you dingus.
That's a no
Submitted 3 weeks ago by Return_of_Chippy@lemmy.world to [deleted]
https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/b13c093e-eae5-475c-b82c-28194ff31467.jpeg
Comments
bitchkat@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
bss03@infosec.pub 3 weeks ago
Yep. Science says OP is wrong: acg.aaa.com/…/zipper-merge-keeps-traffic-moving
ISTR there being some indication that as speeds increase, merging further away from the “final merge point” can help, but that’s for designing roads with permanent lane reductions, not for temporary lane closures due to construction, accident, etc. But, I also couldn’t find that science when I looked for it.
Exatron@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Zipper merge works best as long as the people involved understand it and actually want to do it.
DarkCloud@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
In Australia if your front two wheels are ahead of the other person’s front two wheels, and you’re indicating to move into their lane - you have to let them in. It’s the law.
Takes a lot of the rage out.
LogicalDrivel@sopuli.xyz 2 weeks ago
In a civilized country, that might work (Australia though, really?). It would just promote idiots to race ahead of people here in the States. Im kidding btw. Love you Aussies.
LodeMike@lemmy.today 2 weeks ago
Do you mean “they have to let you in”?
funkless_eck@sh.itjust.works 2 weeks ago
many states have laws that require you to let people merge. they don’t.
ch00f@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
The issue is this:
A) Your lane is ending. Drive to the end of the lane and then merge. Simplest reason: why the fuck would they build that much lane if you’re not supposed to drive on it? Alternate reason: you’re just stretching the traffic jam farther back where it could be blocking people from exiting or getting on.
B) Your lane is exit only. Get the fuck out of that lane, you’re blocking people legitimately trying to exit. You’re a cheating cheater and you’re clogging the exit lane.
C) Your lane is not an exit and you want to get into an exit lane. Get into the exit lane as soon as possible. Late merge is just going to clog up a lane and you’re a cheating cheater.
These situations are not the same.
Grazed@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
But this post’s context is only A, right?
Thebeardedsinglemalt@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Like most things, a zipper merge works only if EVERYONE is abiding by it. Much like they tested and found out that a plane can have all passengers boarded and seated with luggage in about 15 minutes…if everyone followed the rules. But know, every damn over-entitled Karen, Jaxson, MacKhenzie and the rest of their ilk feel the rules don’t apply to them.
TheEighthDoctor@lemmy.zip 2 weeks ago
Yeah…no, I’ve been waiting in line for 15 min and the guy that went on the other lane to skip the line can suck on my zipper merge
Xella@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
You could have waited less time if you also zipper merged ❤️
Banana@sh.itjust.works 3 weeks ago
Learn what zipper merging is you fuckin potato.
Or do you want backups to take up twice as much space as they need to? It’s about efficiency. If everybody zipper merges, you still get your fucking turn.
titanicx@lemmy.zip 3 weeks ago
Yeah people like this are fucking idiots. Just let the dude over it’s not going to slow you down it’s not going to stop you shit if it cost you 15 seconds oh my god what the fuck ever. People are fucking retarded when they think that they have the right to own a lane.
wonderingwanderer@sopuli.xyz 2 weeks ago
The thing is that selfish people trying to skip to the front of the line and cut in front of the people in the through-lane right behind another merging vehicle instead of taking their turn alternating with through-lane vehicles absolutely do create congestion which can back up a long way.
Zipper merges only work when people in the merging lane aren’t being selfish assholes and trying to do that.
Banana@sh.itjust.works 2 weeks ago
Right! People get so crazy impatient and entitled when they enter a vehicle.
wonderingwanderer@sopuli.xyz 2 weeks ago
If everyone zipper merges correctly. More often, half the drivers try to use the lane that’s ending to skip to the front of the line and create a bottleneck that brings traffic to a stop for half a mile…
rumba@lemmy.zip 2 weeks ago
That is the zipper merge acg.aaa.com/…/zipper-merge-keeps-traffic-moving and both lanes should be full all the way with every other car giving way.
chiliedogg@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
That’s faster for everyone though. While they’re using the low-traffic lane, they aren’t taking up more space in the backed-up lane. It’s the people switching early that are the assholes.
This does not apply if it’s an exit. Then they’re just driving in the wrong lane.
zebidiah@lemmy.ca 2 weeks ago
This! Also, let the motorcycle in front of you if you are at the head of the line at the light! We will be long gone before you pull your thumb out of your ass and take you foot off the brake when the light turns green
Banana@sh.itjust.works 1 week ago
Completely agree! I always try to be extra wary of motorcycles because they take up way less space and are far faster accelerating, while also being far more vulnerable.
FlexibleToast@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Lane filtering should be legal everywhere. Like you said, motorcycles accelerate quicker but also it removes the chance of them getting rear ended.
RememberTheApollo_@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
THAT’S THE CORRECT WAY.
Merge at the lane end for fuck’s sake.
Everyone that merges early creates a spot for the closing lane traffic to move up and slows down the through lane, then the next person does it, slows the thru lane, repeat ad nauseam. So if you think you’re being smart merging early you are actually fucking up the flow. There are always people going to be running up the closed lane to try to take “cuts”, so how do you prevent that? By everyone zipper merging at the end! No open lane for them to “cheat.”
Zipper merge at the end is the only way.
Source: I see this every single day I drive to work in an area with shit road design, heavy traffic, and bad drivers.
codapine@lemmy.zip 2 weeks ago
We need NHTSA to put out TV spots to get the message out, and little signs to say USE FULL LANES -ZIP MERGE IN XXX FEET
When I was growing up in the UK, Department for Transport or whomever always had TV and radio ads reminding people how to drive: take longer to look for bikes, don’t hang out next to a big lorry (truck) blind spot, don’t drink and drive, it’s hard to focus on two things at once so put your phone away while driving, etc. And they still do this. We need more of that elsewhere too.
schipelblorp@sh.itjust.works 2 weeks ago
Take all that “Driving Drunk is Bad, guys” advertising space and use it for something that people don’t already know…
HK65@sopuli.xyz 2 weeks ago
In the NL, there are signs literally spelling it out for you. There is a sign saying “start merging here” at the right spot.
Everyone talks how the NL has so good bike infra, but the car infra is top notch as well.
RememberTheApollo_@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Some places where I live also have signs that state some version of “merge at the end”.
People ignore it and still merge early.
Return_of_Chippy@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
What do you mean though
lemmy_outta_here@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
I don’t think the main benefit is cutting off cheaters - it is about using the road more effectively. If you have 2 miles of a single lane full of cars next to an empty lane (that is blocked at the constriction), the congestion is more likely to block intersections, ramps, etc. Studies show that having 2 lanes full of cars with a zipper merge at the point constriction is the most efficient:
zebidiah@lemmy.ca 2 weeks ago
Why is it always boomers that fail to comprehend the zipper merge?
… Is it the lead poisoning??
krisevol@lemmus.org 2 weeks ago
It was in fact, lead poisoning. That’s where all the angry husband stuff comes from too. That whole generation was literally metally challenge due to the poisoning.
Dicska@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
That whole generation was literally metally challenge
Ozzy would like a word.
Return_of_Chippy@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Who
OhStopYellingAtMe@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Boomer humor. Your post. It’s humor for dimwitted old “baby boomers” who don’t understand that it’s better to use both lanes for as long as possible and then zipper merge.
FlexibleToast@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Because it’s counterintuitive. You would think that getting people over early means traffic can just flow easier.
codapine@lemmy.zip 2 weeks ago
Yeah, but into a road that is more narrow. You can’t fit twice the volume into a pipe half the size and expect the same throughput.
ccunning@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
musicjunkie@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
This article falsely assumes the only options are halting traffic to wait for an opening or dash faster than speed of traffic until the end of the lane closure then just expect someone to allow room so kinda a bad explanation of zipper merge and proper driving etiquette
Not sure if you took drivers ed but zipper merging is not zooming past stopped cars to last second dart over in the shoulder, it’s speed matching the lane you are merging into to weave in like a zipper. Crazy how even the name isn’t informative enough for people to understand the concept
plantfanatic@sh.itjust.works 3 weeks ago
So if the traffic is slowed down you want everyone to just move over early making it even worse…?
No, you populate both lanes than alternate right of way.
kbobabob@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 weeks ago
Why have two 1 mile long backups when you could have one 2 mile long backup.
*Taps head
disorderly@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
I’ve been reading this for years, and the hypothesis always seems to be that zipper merging is good because it maximizes road usage. You know what else maximizes road usage? Bumper to bumper gridlock.
Semi_Hemi_Demigod@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
Gridlock doesn’t maximize it. Bumper-to-bumper at 80mph does, though
SCmSTR@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 weeks ago
Z I P P E R
M E R G E
quips@slrpnk.net 2 weeks ago
Louder please
Return_of_Chippy@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Can you explain how that works, ideally with a diagram
TheJesusaurus@piefed.ca 3 weeks ago
Zipper merge you fucking savages
Return_of_Chippy@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
When
phar@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
I don’t understand people like this. There are two lanes. Use them. If everyone merges into one lane over two miles it’s going to create a HUUGE backup. Use both lanes, zipper merge at the end. Stop being stupid and use your brain instead of your emotions.
FenrirIII@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
The problem is pure selfishness. Can’t allow a single car to get ahead or your day is ruined. They seem to think their being earlier is a confirmed reservation and rightfully their spot.
Then there’s those absolute fuckheads who drive in the middle of the road blocking both lanes.
swagmoney@lemmy.ca 3 weeks ago
just let them merge for fucks sake
Paddzr@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
I swear either this is some US crap or rage bait.
taiyang@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
If it’s a lane closure, yes, you zipper merge at the end-- imo, because you need visual confirmation of what’s happening but also because it’s predictable and usually both lanes are already matching speeds and zipper merging ahead of you. There’s no need to complicate things with an early swap. Granted, I rarely see a lane closure warning more than 100 meters, if at all… in my tiny car, the best indicator that we’re merging is sudden lane changes of everyone in front of me.
Where I draw the line is when there’s an exit only lane on a freeway and people are zooming along and suddenly want in. Did they jump into that lane just to get ahead? Or are they a helpless victim of circumstance from the latest onramp and unable to merge until now? I let them in, but I’m usually bitter about it.
Tempus_Fugit@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
Oh no, they definitely read it. They just don’t care and expect you to let the merge.
TheJesusaurus@piefed.ca 3 weeks ago
Because that’s the correct procedure
justme@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 weeks ago
I remember an article from a certain parody magazine about “the state is introducing the Velcro merge, because majority is to stupid for the zipper merge” and they photoshopped a street sign with cars in random angles honking at each other xD
FudgyMcTubbs@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
I think people forget that nobody is racing you. If someone merges into traffic in front of you, theyre not winning and youre not losing. It’s all OK. You dont have to be upset.
rumba@lemmy.zip 2 weeks ago
Oh they read it, that’s why they’re there. It’s faster.
Soulphite@reddthat.com 3 weeks ago
Do you like grid locked traffic? Because merging 2 miles early causes grid lock traffic.
Meissnerscorpsucle@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
I don’t know about you guys, but the teeth an my zipper are lined up ahaid of time and “traveling” the same speed. I would be fine with zipper merge if that where the case, but every time i am in the open lane and the other one closes there are 10 jerks who sped to the end and now feel i should have to come to a full stop and let all 10 get in front. Also, my zipper gets joined at the botom and the “merge” point travels back up the the path. we are all going to sqeeze into one lane anyway. Don’t care where it happens as long as everyone maintains speed. If you expect me to stop my lane so 10 can come from yours we have a problem.
nycvin@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Upvoting all of OPs posts because you gotta respect the commitment
mech@feddit.org 3 weeks ago
I let drivers like this in every time.
It doesn’t cost me anything, and avoids a dangerous situation for myself and everyone around when they inevitably push in anyway.DarrinBrunner@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
Zipper merge is not what this post is about. This post is about the people who pass the drivers who are zipper merging to get further along in the line.
Return_of_Chippy@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
Everyone fight
jaggedrobotpubes@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
It’s weird when people think getting places fast or first is the point of driving.
“Safe” is the word you’re looking for. Then, as fast as safe will calmly allow.
CultLeader4Hire@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
I’m a tax payer and I’m going to drive in all the lanes I paid for then zipper merge when needed. If we all pile up in one lane because we are too collectively stupid to use all our lanes and zipper merge we are the traffic we deserve.
atx_aquarian@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
Zipper is solid in a situation where an entire lane merges into another. There are different situations where it doesn’t make sense. I’m a big believer in zippering where it works, but then there’s the 6-lane highway where one exit lane is backing up into the through lanes. Then someone blows past that line in the other through lanes and cuts into the very front of the line. I’m sure some of those people are saying “zipper!” as they do it, but if everyone conventionalized a zipper point at the end of an exit lane, we would impede the through lanes, too. The point of the zipper is to smooth traffic flow and use the full capacity of the roadway; applying it broadly to highway lanes mixed with through traffic is antithetical.
MiddleAgesModem@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Oh they read it, they just think they’re special
Nusm@peachpie.theatl.social 3 weeks ago
There’s Zipper Merge, and then there’s “I’m more important than everyone else, so I’m going to the front of the line and force my way in.”
See, the single file line continues to move if everyone gets over when the sign clearly says “Lane Ends Ahead Merge Now”. It may move slowly, but it moves. If people pass everyone in line and speed ahead to force their way in, the single file lane then has to repeatedly stop to let those people in. The people who followed the road sign and moved over are now being punished, forced to repeatedly stop, and keep getting pushed farther and farther back by those prima donnas whose trip is way more important than everyone else’s.
You can keep yelling “ZIPPER MERGE!”, but those assholes saw the same sign I did telling them that they should move over, but they didn’t. Now they can wait.
YiddishMcSquidish@lemmy.today 3 weeks ago
Bruh, just let them in. It costs you all of 3 seconds, at will prevent a road rage incident. If you got ac, we all getting to the same place at roughly the same time.
LurkingLuddite@piefed.social 3 weeks ago
OK people, this is not a hard concept but apparently I have to spell it out: It’s the same as an on-ramp.
If you’re racing up an on-ramp just to slam on your brakes and merge with a highway that’s already slow… you are part of the problem! Period. Full stop. Fuck you.
“Fill the lane”? Why? It’s going away. Again: same as an on-ramp. If you’re speeding up past what the traffic is already going, you’re not practicing a zipper merge!
Thunderbird4@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
In addition to the zipper merge arguments, also note that MOT (management of traffic) guys tend to not be the sharpest crayons in the box, nor the most diligent and responsible. I’ve seen enough “lane closed ahead” signs left up in situations where the lane was absolutely not closed, that I don’t even bother reacting until I see some cones or other indication that it actually is closed.
BallShapedMan@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
My favorite are the people in large vehicles who decide to be the police of this bullshit methodology and straddle the lanes.
Zipper merge mther fcker!
DScratch@sh.itjust.works 3 weeks ago
Merging at the last minute is the correct way to do it.
Zipper merge, you fucks!
flandish@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
thank you. the math agrees, too. zipper merges are the way to go!
Mongostein@lemmy.ca 3 weeks ago
Depends. If there’s lots of traffic, yes. If it’s sparse enough that you can merge without slowing people down too much, just do it early.
IrateAnteater@sh.itjust.works 3 weeks ago
Yeah, that’s the big asterisk on the “zipper merging is more efficient” premise. It assumes that things are already bottlenecked. If you have the space to merge early without slowing down, you do that. People trying to force their way in at the last minute (when they didn’t have to) is one of the things that triggers the bottleneck in the first place.
TheJesusaurus@piefed.ca 2 weeks ago
If it’s that sparse then the situation in the meme is a non-issue
Semi_Hemi_Demigod@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
I would agree with this if literally anyone else knew how to zipper merge
Banana@sh.itjust.works 3 weeks ago
The solution is educating people about zipper merging, not getting angry at those who actually do it.
Philote@lemmy.ml 3 weeks ago
At a respectable speed though, merge lane is not a passing lane. My rule is whatever speed can be maintained stay with the car speed in the lane to be merged into, jamming the front punishes everyone cueing properly.
ragepaw@lemmy.ca 3 weeks ago
The the merging lane is empty for a half km, then it’s proper to drive to the front and merge. If you just drive slow, then you’re a problem for the sake of being a problem.
Drive to the front, match speed, zipper merge. It isn’t hard.
IAmNorRealTakeYourMeds@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
Gave a ride to someone who for one hour kept bitching about drivers who use zipper merge properly. didn’t want to tell him he was wrong.
he was so convinced and fuel by hatred of better drivers.
LurkingLuddite@piefed.social 3 weeks ago
Nothing about the zipper merge says, “last minute”. It is wholly and entirely about matching speeds and making room.
Guess what dictates the speed of the lane that gets to travel forward? The amount of traffic that gets to travel… in that reduced number of lanes.
The people racing to the end of the closing lane are doing nothing but increasing traffic density, which directly hurts the effort of zipper merging. If it’s going from two lanes to one, the density MUST halve somewhere if traffic is full. That’s never going to happen at full speed if there are assholes wedging in at the last second and pushing traffic density past what people comfortably go full speed at.
Hint: it is not bumper to bumper on the highway.
Randelung@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
Last minute is absolutely part of it. Use the available queueing space to keep congestion from spreading.
wonderingwanderer@sopuli.xyz 2 weeks ago
Zooming to the front to try to merge at the last minute and creating a choke point that stops traffic for half a mile is NOT the correct way to do a zipper merge…
DScratch@sh.itjust.works 2 weeks ago
You shouldn’t be able to, because both lanes are full and moving at half speed.
Visstix@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
Yes before the lane is closed. They are not doing that.
MSBBritain@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
No. You are explicitly supposed to go to the very end of the closing lane, and then merge, not before it closes.