The logic of the zipper merge:
- when all available lanes are used, the traffic does not back up as far to the rear
- travel is safer because there is not the great speed variation between lanes
- the whole process is ultimately less confusing
- there is no driver frustration with late lane mergers (cheaters)
- at the final stage each driver takes turns in the final merging, creating the "zipper merge"
This is about cooperation among drivers and I think people will catch on when they see it in action. In the end it is better for everyone.
As this relates to the example at Hennepin Avenue, the offended driver should join in. It's been used like this for years and more cars are allowed through the intersection with each light cycle... win/win. Finally, if you see a confused driver, don't be a crank, let them in. So many people get uptight when they feel "their" rules have been crossed that they don't see a better way is right in front of them.
Dan Prozinski Cedar-Riverside
______________________________________________________ [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
I live in the area, and I am definitely not fine with this. The far right lane
seem to implicitly be for traffic turning onto Franklin only. There are no
painted lane markings to indicate that this lane continues forward on Hennepin.
I am most chagrined with I drive up Hennepin and stay in the right through lane
to get onto 94 and there are people coming through the Franklin intersection to
the right of me. When people don't use their signals (and people don't), it is
impossible to tell what they are going to do, either drive straight or turn right.
______________________________________________________ The original "Zipper Merge" post by Rick Mons:
Use the "zipper merge" when traffic comes down from two (or three) lanes to
one (or two) lanes. What that means is that drivers use all the lanes until
just before the lanes shrink ... and then take turns at that "merging
point." That's different than the "Minnesota Way" which is for some drivers
to enter (or stay in) the "surviving lane" way before the merging point and
thus inciting "Road Rage" as other drivers drive in the less-used lane to
the merging point.
______________________________________________________
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