By the way - everyone, what happens on your highways when you have two or more lanes merging into one and the traffic is backed up?

a traffic jam?

I always complain about this now that I'm driving in California. In New Jersey, we hahadve something called the zipper merge that everyone is aware of and it's actually quite orderly. Zipper merge does not exist out here in the west. I don't think it's taught in driver's ed or is mentioned in the California DMV driver's manual

"Zipper merge"...? Can you explain how that works?>

Think of how a zipper zips up. Every little zipper hook closes up alternately from one side to the other.

So say you have a situation where you have 16 lanes merging into 2-- for example, the Holland Tunnel heading towards Manhattan from New Jersey --For every two lanes, each car alternately merges (another name for zipper merge is alternate merge) and it's a pretty customary thing. Like it's basic driver etiquette to alternately merge or else you will get a loud New Jersey horn blast. So from 16 lanes, with every two lanes merging into one lane, you turn into an 8-lane road pretty systematically. This then turns into a 4-lane road and then finally a 2-lane road, and then zip, you're very neatly compacted into the Holland Tunnel. We usually criticize NY and PA drivers for breaking the customary zipper merge laws.

If somebody doesn't properly do an alternate merge, I usually turn on my high beams for some amount of time.

a lot of people around here use the shoulder as a lane when lanes or freeways merge.

Here, when people see a "yield" sign, they stop, not realizing that there is a mile-long acceleration lane ahead of them. Same happens on the interstate when there is a sign that says "Lane ends 1000 feet".

usually a huge traffic jam with many people signaling. Thats what happen when two of the nation's important interstates merge with each other.(I-90, I-94)

probably the same thing happens in Atlanta (1-75/I-85)

usually a huge traffic jam with many people signaling. Thats what happen when two of the nation's important interstates merge with each other.(I-90, I-94)

probably the same thing happens in Atlanta (1-75/I-85)

the same thing happens in delaware. i-95 and the new jersey turnpike (via i-295) merge near newport. it's always jammed up there. i've even seen traffic jams at 2 am on a wednesday morning.

Zippering makes the most sense.

zippering is not possible in LA since traffic isnt moving in the first place. usually people go as far as you can in the merging lanes and then squeeze in at the first opening.

That's probably why the traffic isn't moving in the first place. If you had people customarily alternate merging, then you won't have a whole stampede of cars trying to get into the same lonely lane. Zippering allows for flow of orderly traffic without competition-- it's the competition that creates jams. Not saying that zippering solves jams because we had traffic jams up the wazzoo in NJ (us being the most densely populated state on the nation). But the order and socially enforced civility of a zipper merge eases up on the road rage. It is slow and especially when you're in a rush, it is aggravating, but competition for space sucks. At least the traffic moves and is more efficient than lane-merge free-for-alls.

try driving at these times at these places 5pm i84 waterbury tru hartford
i95 bridgeport tru nyc

well in NY, you pay alot for insurance...so I guess we are not affraid to use it.

when merging, you kinda feel the mood of the other drivers, if they are feeling dickheadish...do the same, if there is a bit more friendly vibe...see if someone will let you slide. But you gotta do this quick.

That's probably why the traffic isn't moving in the first place. If you had people customarily alternate merging, then you won't have a whole stampede of cars trying to get into the same lonely lane. Zippering allows for flow of orderly traffic without competition-- it's the competition that creates jams. Not saying that zippering solves jams because we had traffic jams up the wazzoo in NJ (us being the most densely populated state on the nation). But the order and socially enforced civility of a zipper merge eases up on the road rage. It is slow and especially when you're in a rush, it is aggravating, but competition for space sucks. At least the traffic moves and is more efficient than lane-merge free-for-alls.
You got any pictures of this?

No... it's a great big traffic jam but the merges are neater and less competitive. That's the best way for me to describe it. Everybody is in the same slow boat and everyone understands it so there's no jockeying for position.

Think of how a zipper zips up. Every little zipper hook closes up alternately from one side to the other.

So say you have a situation where you have 16 lanes merging into 2-- for example, the Holland Tunnel heading towards Manhattan from New Jersey --For every two lanes, each car alternately merges (another name for zipper merge is alternate merge) and it's a pretty customary thing. Like it's basic driver etiquette to alternately merge or else you will get a loud New Jersey horn blast. So from 16 lanes, with every two lanes merging into one lane, you turn into an 8-lane road pretty systematically. This then turns into a 4-lane road and then finally a 2-lane road, and then zip, you're very neatly compacted into the Holland Tunnel. We usually criticize NY and PA drivers for breaking the customary zipper merge laws.

If somebody doesn't properly do an alternate merge, I usually turn on my high beams for some amount of time.

One time im tryin to squeeze into the tolls at the end of 14C (78 Turnpike) and this bitch wasnt following etiquette and just kept tryin to ram her damn piece of crap car into me im like wtf is wrong with her. She had jersey tags too. Must be from south jersey or somethin. I was pissed.

After being away from Charlotte I had gotten used to the orderliness of merging in Jersey. It was nice.

Now im in east of bumfk north carolina and NOBODY knows how to drive, much less merge.

In Dallas, people are oblivious to merging traffic, even when the roads are not heavy. They will continue along in their lane, seeing you with you're blinker on (yes blinker there are still a few out there that use it) and will just continue on... As a result, you must slow down which is moronic because you are trying to get up to highway speed, which pisses the person behind you off. This creates more accidents because you are traveling at a higher rate of speed looking over your shoulder hoping someone will let you in before you either come to a complete stop or run out of lane.

That's why they call it merging. Not slam on your brakes and then get in front of someone who will have to take evasive manuevers to get around your slow ass. If there is a clear lane next to you -- get over when people are merging.

Other assholes are those that race around you only to slam on their brakes and turn right. Like you really needed to do that?

:wallbash:

In Baltimore, you just close your eyes and hit the gas. That has some advantages since in the winter you don't have to worry about de-icing anything except the forward pointing view. The Yield sign is just there for decoration; in reality it's all about the power/weight ratio of your vehicle.

It backs up...

I just like, when driving in New York or LA, how motorcyclists just drive right through the traffic. This isn't really about merging, but its entertaining to watch. When my friend and I were driving along the 105 once, a biker drove right between us and another car... not abnormal for LA when there is traffic, but we were going 75mph! Just go around dude! I saw a bike cop do the same thing while there.... Its one thing to do it when traffic is at a stand still, but when its already moving fast? Crazy! Gotta love those NYC and LA drivers...

I always complain about this now that I'm driving in California. In New Jersey, we hahadve something called the zipper merge that everyone is aware of and it's actually quite orderly. Zipper merge does not exist out here in the west. I don't think it's taught in driver's ed or is mentioned in the California DMV driver's manual
Here in Holland a new sign was introduced a few years ago stating "zip from here". To avoid traffic jams and, as Boybaha already mentioned, to get rid of the competition to change lanes. Unfortunately, even an infomercial of the state's traffic department over a pretty long period on tv wasn't able to make drivers to zipper merge. Probably too many of them like competition in traffic too much. Guess it's just human nature. :bash: