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re: What is so difficult about the zipper merge concept?
Posted on 8/10/25 at 10:05 pm to travelgamer
Posted on 8/10/25 at 10:05 pm to travelgamer
quote:
Ask people that run up in the left or right lane to expect you to let you in when they passed 20 cars to do it, its the worst in construction zones, people move into the proper zone lane and the small diks run up and try to cut in and get pissed when you won't let them.
I've encountered these types a few times. The most recent was in a construction zone where drivers were warned multiple times that the far right lane was ending in a countdown of shorter distances. I'm in the continuing right lane and this asshat in a boy-racer Subaru with the requisite coffee can exhaust and oversized spoiler comes zooming up on the shoulder right up to the point where the construction barriers block his further progress. Traffic is at a crawl at this point and he pretends he's going to force his way in on me to make me back off with several attempts to cut in like he's going to hit me and then swerve back expecting I'll slam my brakes and he'll squeeze into the slot. I didn't back off and even waved him in to hit me (be the biggest mistake of his short life). He's giving me hell out his window. I finally rolled my window down and said "hey if you're going to drive a matchbox car and pick a fight with a 3 ton truck you're a special kind of stupid!"
This post was edited on 8/10/25 at 10:08 pm
2
Posted on 8/10/25 at 10:06 pm to Jim Rockford
quote:
This. Traffic is stopped for half a mile. Big flashing signs say lane closed ahead. But people zoom right up to the barricade then expect to merge. frick that.
And I promise you the folks posting expounding on the efficiency don’t really care about making sure roadways are being used as effectively as possible for the good of all. They just want to drive up to the barricade and get angry at every passing car that doesn’t immediately let them merge.
Even though the entire benefit of the efficiency of the zipper method is to organically merge close to, but not at the boundary. They already broke the zipper merge and they mentally curse out everyone else for being idiots to not bowing to the superior methodology that has been oh so conveniently already twisted to best benefit them.
This post was edited on 8/10/25 at 10:08 pm
Posted on 8/10/25 at 10:10 pm to UptownJoeBrown
quote:
What’s the average time between zipper merge bitch thread? 4 weeks?
At least it isn’t as common as the I-10 BR bridge/basin bridge bitch threads.
These retreads are all we have left now that we don’t have Rant Radio or Rocks getting locked in his room play by play threads.
This post was edited on 8/10/25 at 10:29 pm
Posted on 8/10/25 at 10:24 pm to Don Quixote
quote:
I've encountered these types a few times. The most recent was in a construction zone where drivers were warned multiple times that the far right lane was ending in a countdown of shorter distances. I'm in the continuing right lane and this asshat in a boy-racer Subaru with the requisite coffee can exhaust and oversized spoiler comes zooming up on the shoulder right up to the point where the construction barriers block his further progress. Traffic is at a crawl at this point and he pretends he's going to force his way in on me to make me back off with several attempts to cut in like he's going to hit me and then swerve back expecting I'll slam my brakes and he'll squeeze into the slot. I didn't back off and even waved him in to hit me (be the biggest mistake of his short life). He's giving me hell out his window. I finally rolled my window down and said "hey if you're going to drive a matchbox car and pick a fight with a 3 ton truck you're a special kind of stupid!"
quote:
Don Quixote
The Lord of La Mancha don't take no shite
This post was edited on 8/10/25 at 10:26 pm
Posted on 8/10/25 at 10:39 pm to DustyDinkleman
If everyone would merge when initially told by the signs then traffic would flow much better without having to let the idiots back into the flow of traffic. Jumping to the front of the line is what pricks do and I treat them accordingly.
Posted on 8/11/25 at 1:06 am to DustyDinkleman
People are too selfish and stupid to understand the point of the zipper merge is to move as many cars as possible as far down the road as possible. People would rather waste resources (in this case, ~1500 feet of empty road) and believe in conspiracy where a single driver is getting one over on them, then work together for the betterment of all.
Except for people in Wisconsin. Zipper merging actually kind of works there, and I assume other places in the north where public education isn’t a complete joke.
Except for people in Wisconsin. Zipper merging actually kind of works there, and I assume other places in the north where public education isn’t a complete joke.
Posted on 8/11/25 at 3:01 am to Don Quixote
quote:
and this asshat in a boy-racer Subaru with the requisite coffee
I drive a subaru because i hunt/camp/fish/hike all over the country and don't drink coffee and don't let asshats in, your generalization doesn't work.
Posted on 8/11/25 at 3:16 am to DustyDinkleman
Louisiana will never be a place where zipper merges happen properly. shite, I'm amazed so many of these people can navigate a traffic circle.
Posted on 8/11/25 at 5:23 am to Volvagia
quote:
works in theory but reality/human nature pisses on it.
So true about so many things.
Posted on 8/11/25 at 5:47 am to clamdip
quote:
If merging earlier worked best, let's just move the merge point 2 miles further upstream.
“Merge point” ? Not sure that exists - more like a merge length. This may explain the differing opinions on this zipper concept.
Posted on 8/11/25 at 7:31 am to TigerAllNightLong
The point that you all seem to be missing about those of us who run up to the merge point in the open lane is that we aren’t pissed when people don’t let us in. We expect that. We are prepared for that. BUT……there is always a sucker who will either let you in, or who likes their car more than I do, and will eventually hit the brakes when I come over anyway. I can’t do anything but shake my head when I see that merges lane going on for over a mile, with a completely open lane on the other side. Why in the world would you do that? The reason those people hate the last minute mergers, is because they were dumb enough to merge and wait a mile back. They are the mad ones in that situation.
Posted on 8/11/25 at 7:42 am to RaginCajunz
quote:
Merging earlier streamlines the process in the real world.
not when you are in the lane people are merging into. a few people merge early and it allows people in that lane to move ahead.
Perfect example is east bound off the MRB in BR.
Posted on 8/11/25 at 7:46 am to ned nederlander
quote:
Except for people in Wisconsin. Zipper merging actually kind of works there, and I assume other places in the north where public education isn’t a complete joke.
Wisconsin is filled with left lane campers doing the speed limit that will speed up when there is a passing lane.
Posted on 8/11/25 at 8:02 am to Grnbud
I'll find a friend and run blocker.
Works everytime and speeds the process up for everyone.
Works everytime and speeds the process up for everyone.
Posted on 8/11/25 at 8:03 am to Volvagia
quote:
Because it’s only effective if the merging lane can seamlessly merge into flowing traffic. If someone has to pause to “let you in” then the benefit is gone. Ditto for the merging vehicle. If it goes at full speed and doesn’t even attempt to merge till they reach the end and has to stop, the benefit is lost. It’s one of those things that works in theory but reality/human nature pisses on it. Wait for self driving cars v
It amazes me that people seemingly think this hasn’t been backed with a lot of data. The zipper merge only fails when morons refuse to allow it to happen by merging earlier and backing up a bigger line and the inevitable moron who blocks the lane that is about to be reduced.
Posted on 8/11/25 at 8:30 am to RaginCajunz
quote:how did you come up with this nonsense?
Merging earlier streamlines the process in the real world. It never works like the nifty “zipper merge is the way” infographics. Leaving only assholes trying to zip up and force their way into bumper to bumper already merged traffic. Sometimes on the shoulder causing reasonable people to rage
Posted on 8/11/25 at 8:31 am to DustyDinkleman
Part of it is the mentality of the drivers “trying to be nice “ and others not using the designated acceleration lane to accelerate.
If more people had the mentality of the merging lane has to merge with us (travel lane) and not “let them in” it would fix itself. However, travel lane has to follow standard safety laws and have some gap between cars.
Lastly, you need properly designed acceleration lanes and not stupid arse clover leaf on ramps that have a suicide lane and 50’ to work with (looking at you Airline/12)
If more people had the mentality of the merging lane has to merge with us (travel lane) and not “let them in” it would fix itself. However, travel lane has to follow standard safety laws and have some gap between cars.
Lastly, you need properly designed acceleration lanes and not stupid arse clover leaf on ramps that have a suicide lane and 50’ to work with (looking at you Airline/12)
This post was edited on 8/11/25 at 8:36 am
Posted on 8/11/25 at 8:37 am to RaginCajunz
quote:
Because traffic volume usually exceeds the single lane capacity causing traffic to backup
no shite sherlock... This usually happens when there is construction on a 2 lane road... 2>1 quote:no it doesnt... it just moves the bottleneck further away from the merge causing congestion in other areas.
Merging earlier streamlines the process in the real world.
quote:because 1 dipshits try to merge eariler and black 1000ft of lane which could fill with traffice to reduce the congestion other places. and 2 dickheads done let people merge in because they are assholes.
It never works like the nifty “zipper merge is the way” infographics.
Posted on 8/11/25 at 8:40 am to CarRamrod
I’m not sure why people don’t understand the philosophy of the acceleration lane. It’s basically “accelerate till you match speed and get in ASAP” that doesn’t mean early or late. If travel lane needs to slow a tiny amount, not gonna hurt as long as not slamming on brakes.
Posted on 8/11/25 at 8:52 am to CarRamrod
This thread reminds me of the "chain mail" thread gets posted on here every few weeks. The one about walking the shopping cart back to the return and it being a "litmus test". 1, people copy that chain mail topic like we are back in the late 90s on AOL. 2. most people doesn't even know what litmus is and just regurgitate it to make themselves look smart.
I thnk that theory is bullshite because there is literally a job for people to pick up those carts. Yes if the return is next to you or close sure youre a dick for not doing it, but sometimes, people are in a hurry. Lets grow this theory to other aspects of life.. Can you not self govern yourself if you dont bring your plates to the bus bin at restaurants? What about your trash... should you have to bring your trash in your car to the land fill? No we pay people to do these things.
This on the other hand... you are a dickhead if you dont let people in at the zipper point because you feel it isnt there turn...
monday morning rant over. im ready for a beer.
I thnk that theory is bullshite because there is literally a job for people to pick up those carts. Yes if the return is next to you or close sure youre a dick for not doing it, but sometimes, people are in a hurry. Lets grow this theory to other aspects of life.. Can you not self govern yourself if you dont bring your plates to the bus bin at restaurants? What about your trash... should you have to bring your trash in your car to the land fill? No we pay people to do these things.
This on the other hand... you are a dickhead if you dont let people in at the zipper point because you feel it isnt there turn...
monday morning rant over. im ready for a beer.
This post was edited on 8/11/25 at 10:48 am
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