Construction zone/zipper merge - Page 2 - Other Topics Forum - Discuss Pop Culture, Arts and Entertainment

The idea that locals would use an interstate and sit in construction traffic rather than use local roads to make their local trips is, uh, just a no. Plus, if you know I-80 through Central PA, you'd know that there are somewhere between 5 and 10 miles between many of the exits. Plus as I said 50% of the vehicles in the left lane were truckers.

I was under the impression that you understood that Pennsyltucky has a "culture." Folkways and customs frequently involve an area larger than a neighborhood or town.

I'll take full responsibility for the misunderstanding. I sometimes forget that people oftentimes do not have what I assume is common knowledge, such as "what a custom is" or "how many eggs are in a dozen eggs."

As an aside, if you think that people ought behave consistently once they enter the interstate system because "I-76 is I-76, gosh darn it"... Ummm, good luck with that. I think I ought be able to fly by flapping my arms, so we, at the very least, share a desire for unlikely things.

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08-21-2021 , 06:49 PM

#27

Dr. Meh

veteran

Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 3,351

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrianTheMick2

I think your arms would get tired really quickly and this could lead to potential dangers like falling and/or being too exhausted to fly back home from an isolated area. Better to fly like Superman, IMO.

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08-21-2021 , 07:07 PM

#28

BrianTheMick2

Long way to go and a short time to get there.

Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 19,410

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Meh

That would clearly be better. Thanks!

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08-21-2021 , 07:54 PM

#29

27offsuit

actions have consequences!

Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 38,535

Momos like the truck driver equate driving correctly in this spot with jumping in line off an exit that has a row of traffic backing up. Now THOSE guys are *******s and I will sooner demolish my car than let them in.

But if the truck doof caused an accident there, with or without dashcam footage he would be at fault 100%. Dashcam would be indisputable.

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08-21-2021 , 08:06 PM

#30

steamraise

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 9,889

If there's a full mile of open right lane... I'll merge early but not a mile early.
I'll drive a little faster than the left lane is going and merge 100 yards or so before the lane ends.
And the trucker? Good time for a dash cam and turn him in.

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08-21-2021 , 08:06 PM

#31

BuckyK

old hand

Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 1,315

You drive until the lane ends then merge. car left lane goes first then car in right goes behind. Repeat ad infinitum.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

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08-21-2021 , 08:33 PM

#32

sumey

veteran

Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 2,815

Both are at fault in this imo

Last edited by sumey; 08-21-2021 at 08:40 PM.

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08-21-2021 , 08:58 PM

#33

BuckyK

old hand

Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 1,315

Quote:

Originally Posted by sumey

Both are at fault in this imo

No. Truck maintained speed. It was up to the driver to get in front or slow down and merge.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

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08-21-2021 , 09:20 PM

#34

muttiah

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 25,025

Quote:

Originally Posted by Victor

Ya truckers hate that for some reason.

Truckers are not intelligent. /thread.

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08-21-2021 , 09:20 PM

#35

bundy5

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 8,140

Quote:

Originally Posted by Victor

Ya truckers hate that for some reason.

Yup. But I'd still go down the right lane.

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08-21-2021 , 09:24 PM

#36

muttiah

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 25,025

Quote:

Originally Posted by pwnsall

I've always heard it said using both lanes and zippering in last minute is best, any proof this causes less backup than if people got over early at a leisurely pace? Or is it just the logic using two lanes as long as possible is better?

Seems like getting over without needing to slow down others is best, whatever does that.

I generally queue but cheat sometimes to varying degrees. I'll always merge within like a thousand feet if there is a gap rather than force my way in at the very end and make everyone slow down for me.

More fluid will pass through 2 parallel pipes vs 1 pipe.

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08-21-2021 , 09:27 PM

#37

muttiah

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 25,025

Quote:

Originally Posted by BuckyK

No. Truck maintained speed. It was up to the driver to get in front or slow down and merge.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

How do you know the trucker maintained speed? Eyeballs are that good?

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08-21-2021 , 09:34 PM

#38

BuckyK

old hand

Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 1,315

Quote:

Originally Posted by muttiah

How do you know the trucker maintained speed? Eyeballs are that good?

Yes. Also look at the lines in the road, count, do math. Truck has consistent time between spaces and car does not. It's not hard.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

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08-22-2021 , 06:46 AM

#39

sumey

veteran

Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 2,815

Quote:

Originally Posted by BuckyK

No. Truck maintained speed. It was up to the driver to get in front or slow down and merge.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

Car driver is definitely most at fault because they panicked, but the truck driver could have been more aware and eased off slightly no?

Eta: hmm maybe not, the whole thing happens a lot faster now I've watched it again

Last edited by sumey; 08-22-2021 at 06:51 AM.

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08-22-2021 , 10:19 AM

#40

Didace

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 19,879

The reason they put up signs that say, "Right Lane Closed 1 Mile Ahead", is so you are prepared to merge in 1 mile when the lane is actually closed. If they wanted you to merge now that's what they would say.

The truckers that try to block you are the same *******s that pull out to pass another truck going up a hill because their cruise control is set half a mile an hour faster - and then "oops" they don't have enough power to actually make the pass.

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08-22-2021 , 10:37 AM

#41

All-inMcLovin

Wholesome Mod

Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 49,569

This thread is making me think of the movie Over the Top.

Spoiler:

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08-22-2021 , 11:32 AM

#42

Garick

Oberbiergenießer

Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 26,519

Good to see more states getting on the zipper merge train. When I used to have to drive through Oklahoma a lot, I saw these signs as far as 2 miles before the lane closure. A closure that was often only a few hundred feet long to let workers work on an overpass.

Zippering was literally against the law there.

Apparently, Oklahoma is now finally starting to experiment with zippering, though they only allow it in certain high traffic areas with special signage.

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08-22-2021 , 12:47 PM

#43

durango155

Pooh-Bah

Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 4,818

I’m on the side if you’re available to get left and get in line then you should. Passing everyone on the right and “jumping the line” is a dick move imo. I understand if you get stuck and can’t get over but you likely had plenty of warning and imo your basically telling me your time is more valuable than mine and cutting me off

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08-22-2021 , 01:54 PM

#44

muttiah

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 25,025

Quote:

Originally Posted by durango155

You are the problem. Common sense says that keeping usable lanes occupied for as long as possible maximizes traffic flow.

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08-22-2021 , 02:22 PM

#45

Garick

Oberbiergenießer

Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 26,519

Yup. Which would you rather have? 1/4-mile of single lane, or 2 miles? When everyone piles into a single lane as soon as they see a sign, they are creating a longer constriction.

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08-22-2021 , 02:28 PM

#46

BrianTheMick2

Long way to go and a short time to get there.

Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 19,410

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garick

They already zippered, but just at the "merge here" sign and without perhaps exclaiming with excitement to their passengers that they are zippering. I would guess that they will easily adapt to a slightly different sign that is closer to the actual end of the lane.

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08-22-2021 , 03:29 PM

#47

madlex

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 17,442

Quote:

Originally Posted by muttiah

You are the problem. Common sense says that keeping usable lanes occupied for as long as possible maximizes traffic flow.

People might start understanding that if they started with a “right lane ends in 20 miles” sign.

Or maybe the few people left in the right lane would have 20 miles of open road..

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08-22-2021 , 03:40 PM

#48

nutella virus

banned

Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 3,628

I had no idea this was an issue anywhere. Just place a right lane ends 100 miles sign merge now and be done with jt

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08-23-2021 , 08:15 AM

#49

pwnsall

CFBBPC

Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 65,626

Quote:

Originally Posted by muttiah

You are the problem. Common sense says that keeping usable lanes occupied for as long as possible maximizes traffic flow.

So is it better to merge at 300 feet when you can get in without making the line slow down or 20 feet when you have to make everyone in line slow down? What are the cut offs?

This thread kinda reminds me of the reclining on an airplane thread.

Here's some random study on it, cliffs seem to be zipper merge is slightly but maybe not statistically significantly better, and possibly worse on low volume roads.

https://uknowledge.uky.edu/cgi/viewc...esearchreports

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08-23-2021 , 09:33 AM

#50

Didace

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 19,879

If you are driving on a road where your speed before the merge drops from 75 to 65, then sure, move over sooner rather than later. But, if the speed drops down significantly, wait til the merge point.

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