3 Views on Zipper Merging
Readers are simply not willing to let die the 
conversation about the “zipper” method of merging (vehicles in each lane take turns) when there’s a lane closure. It’s an approach common in Europe and a few parts of this country, and I’ve written about it twice recently. Zippering has avid proponents (largely because of the reduction in traffic congestion) and zealous opponents (mostly because relatively few U.S. drivers are aware of the concept and when it’s used, road rage can ensue).
Zipper merging is in our future, so here are some reader comments from this last batch. Maybe some highway official will realize a public education effort is warranted.
One position:
“Leaving a lane empty just reduces highway capacity; merging early just slows down the receiving lane. The most efficient merging is the zipper method unless traffic is extremely light. I was pleased on a cross-country trip recently to see signs instructing drivers to continue to the merge point and additional signs instructing drivers to alternate when merging. I can understand drivers in the slow (unobstructed) lane getting angry when drivers pass them in the clear lane, but that’s the choice they’ve made, not an excuse to try to ram the ‘offending’ vehicle.”
The other position:
“The idea of zip merging is valid, but in my experience the people who wait until the lane ends to merge have not been just traveling along, they’re invariably driving much faster than the two left lanes. That’s why zip merging won’t work: people who think they’re special speed to the end of the merge lane and cut other drivers off.”
And a solution from a reader who identified himself as a retired traffic engineer:
“I’m a volunteer instructor in a safe driving program. During class, we discuss the ‘Lane closed ahead, merge (right or left)’ situations. There are always complaints about drivers who won’t merge until the last minute, crowding ahead of those who obey the sign. To calm their anger over such ‘bullying,’ I discuss the ‘late merge’ concept. In places where it’s used, signs usually say something like ‘Right Lane closed ahead, use both lanes to merge point.’ Then, at the beginning of the lane closure, a merge sign says ‘Merge here, take turns.’
What's your car question? Email Sharon Peters to get some answers at sharon@ctwfeatures.com