Since when do they still make these merge ramps?

[jeffandnicole]

This almost looks like two lanes to the right and yet it's just one.

https://www.google.com/maps/@35.0794977,-78.7888633,3a,75y,207.07h,63.16t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sJr928ttneA4jGR525_YHDg!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3DJr928ttneA4jGR525_YHDg%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D315.401%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i13312!8i6656

With a screenshot pic, yes it looks like that. But traffic's going by at 70 mph here, not standing still. All you need to do is go back several hundred feet and look at it again and it's pretty clear-cut what's happening.

[tolbs17]

This almost looks like two lanes to the right and yet it's just one.

https://www.google.com/maps/@35.0794977,-78.7888633,3a,75y,207.07h,63.16t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sJr928ttneA4jGR525_YHDg!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3DJr928ttneA4jGR525_YHDg%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D315.401%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i13312!8i6656

With a screenshot pic, yes it looks like that. But traffic's going by at 70 mph here, not standing still. All you need to do is go back several hundred feet and look at it again and it's pretty clear-cut what's happening.

When it was repaved, they used the dots it used to be the broken lines.

[tolbs17]

Over here, they changed it from this design to this design. Is it really better?

[tolbs17]

For all I know outside of North Carolina, many states don't add a dotted line to know that the lane is ending.

Like this for example.

https://www.google.com/maps/@36.765663,-77.480686,3a,43.7y,274.97h,69.95t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s6bosqr-lBSujp6nIeyMnhw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

New Jersey started doing it recently if you compare the slider on the Street View.

https://www.google.com/maps/@40.6533093,-74.4486254,3a,75y,237.8h,78.41t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sjyKITLOmaXaoon9H9yYzYA!2e0!5s20211201T000000!7i16384!8i8192

Delaware still doesn't do it.

https://www.google.com/maps/@39.6470649,-75.7529825,3a,75y,304.09h,81.12t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sASBchNsf-ujYCgV8eAQjyA!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3DASBchNsf-ujYCgV8eAQjyA%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D74.59763%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192

Same with Maryland.

https://www.google.com/maps/@39.3615704,-76.5057466,3a,57.6y,104.83h,79.24t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s6kc5FR10AEVRYYBok1DdJA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

[Dirt Roads]

For all I know outside of North Carolina, many states don't add a dotted line to know that the lane is ending.

Like this for example.

https://www.google.com/maps/@36.765663,-77.480686,3a,43.7y,274.97h,69.95t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s6bosqr-lBSujp6nIeyMnhw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

Actually, VDOT always does a dashed line at the end of a ramp or merge lane.  Notice carefully, the mainline lanes have been recently paved in this streetview, but the onramp did not get repaved (probably not warranted due to light use).  For some reason, the lane markings between the right lane and the onramp come to an abrupt end at the south end of the bridge over Poplar Swamp (creek).  It looks like the lane marking subcontract did not include the bridge itself, but that wouldn't explain why the "paint crew" came to an abrupt halt at the south end of the bridge (not continuing to finish that particular lane marking).

[Tom958]

Over here, they changed it from this design to this design. Is it really better?

The first is a taper, the second a parallel. I've read that the parallel is safer, and NC and Wisconsin have changed to it. Perhaps other states have as well.

The drawback to changing is that it takes a l-o-o-o-o-g time. NC started in the eighties (I first noticed it when I-85 in Charlotte was reconstructed), and they're still nowhere near finished. I'm glad that Georgia has stuck with the taper.

Actually, though, some recent GDOT project renderings have shown parallel-type onramp terminals. 

[tolbs17]

Over here, they changed it from this design to this design. Is it really better?

The first is a taper, the second a parallel. I've read that the parallel is safer, and NC and Wisconsin have changed to it. Perhaps other states have as well.

The drawback to changing is that it takes a l-o-o-o-o-g time. NC started in the eighties (I first noticed it when I-85 in Charlotte was reconstructed), and they're still nowhere near finished. I'm glad that Georgia has stuck with the taper.

Actually, though, some recent GDOT project renderings have shown parallel-type onramp terminals. 

Tapered merge on-ramps are found on pretty much all freeways here in North Carolina prior to the 1990s.