Lane Closure "ettiquite"

[SSOWorld]

In the image above is a road I drive 3-5 days a week to/from work. It's been under construction since October with the left lane closed currently. When traffic is heavy. The drivers tend to merge early, causing a backup - for today became as long as the red on the road in the map pasted here from the goog with my markup in paint.  (Green is the area where the merging started.  An on-ramp joins the road right before the bridge, and the lane drop is on the bridge.  I decided to go against the grain and the left "empty" lane and continued right up to where the on-ramp joined - then traffic started changing into the left lane to block me. 

There were other days where I've been nearly drawn into crashes by cars cutting in front - even semi trucks). I've even had a couple horns and birds thrown my way.

Yes - the ramp is there. And Wisconsin drivers have a nice "courtesy" of changing lanes to let ramp drivers in.

Does anyone here understand zipper merging?  Well Wisconsin drivers DON'T!!!!

OK, rant over.  Who loves this type of traffic?

[kalvado]

Yes, you're an a-hole. Anything else I can help you with?

[Max Rockatansky]

90% of the time I use the lane that is ending on a zipper merge.  If traffic is going to clog themselves by getting over early and giving me an opportunity to pass a bunch of people I'm taking it.

Similarly if you approach a traffic light on a multi lane highway most cars will get over to the left if a trucker is in the right lane.  I found it is almost always better to get in line behind the trucker and merge left as the accordion of cars in the left lane slowly unfurls.  On CA 41 I can sometimes get past 5-10 cars that way at the busier intersection lights. 

[Rothman]

90% of the time I use the lane that is ending on a zipper merge.  If traffic is going to clog themselves by getting over early and giving me an opportunity to pass a bunch of people I'm taking it.

Similarly if you approach a traffic light on a multi lane highway most cars will get over to the left if a trucker is in the right lane.  I found it is almost always better to get in line behind the trucker and merge left as the accordion of cars in the left lane slowly unfurls.  On CA 41 I can sometimes get past 5-10 cars that way at the busier intersection lights.

If the truck is loaded, forget it.

[Max Rockatansky]

90% of the time I use the lane that is ending on a zipper merge.  If traffic is going to clog themselves by getting over early and giving me an opportunity to pass a bunch of people I'm taking it.

Similarly if you approach a traffic light on a multi lane highway most cars will get over to the left if a trucker is in the right lane.  I found it is almost always better to get in line behind the trucker and merge left as the accordion of cars in the left lane slowly unfurls.  On CA 41 I can sometimes get past 5-10 cars that way at the busier intersection lights.

If the truck is loaded, forget it.

Mostly ag trucks around here.  I have no idea what that translate into weight but they easily get off the line faster than five cars can.

[pderocco]

There is a strange, irrational urge to merge early, but all it does is create a virtual lane drop before the actual lane drop. This means that the traffic jam starts earlier, and people spend more time on the narrowed road, even though part of it is only virtually narrowed.

I recall seeing signs somewhere in my travels instructing drivers not to do this, but to merge at the last minute. I wish I could remember where. I don't think it was on my recent New England trip, so it must have been somewhere in the 11 western states. Could have been in SoCal where I live.

[GaryV]

I live in SE Michigan. That word does not exist in the vocabulary of 83.95% of drivers.

[1995hoo]

There is a strange, irrational urge to merge early, but all it does is create a virtual lane drop before the actual lane drop. This means that the traffic jam starts earlier, and people spend more time on the narrowed road, even though part of it is only virtually narrowed.

I recall seeing signs somewhere in my travels instructing drivers not to do this, but to merge at the last minute. I wish I could remember where. I don't think it was on my recent New England trip, so it must have been somewhere in the 11 western states. Could have been in SoCal where I live.

I posted the following in 2017:

Yesterday we encountered this sign on I-70 passing Terre Haute, Indiana. Wasn't a true zipper merge because the left lane ultimately ended more than a mile further down the road, but the sign is clear enough, right? Not to the people on I-70. Almost everyone panicked and moved over a mile in advance of the merge point. On the plus side for us, that meant we sailed past a long line of cars because I merge at the end just like the sign said (only one guy from Oklahoma seemed to take umbrage, but that was right at the end anyway).

[kalvado]

People tend to believe in magic.. Zipper merge works as advertised while the total flow is below reduced capacity. Once there are more cars than the road with fewer lanes can handle, there is a backup - and wait time is determined by how many cars are waiting vs how many can enter the road.
Two cases where early merge has problems is if the lane closure is posted, but doesn't actually occur; and if there is another exit within the backed up length. Merging last moment would obviously make things a bit slower on average.

But it's the same as falling into Ponzi scheme or buying into perpetual motion.. i want to believe!

[kphoger]

90% of the time I use the lane that is ending on a zipper merge.  If traffic is going to clog themselves by getting over early and giving me an opportunity to pass a bunch of people I'm taking it.

Same here.  It's not my fault if someone else decided to merge before needing to and then gets stuck in a slower lane.

There is a strange, irrational urge to merge early, but all it does is create a virtual lane drop before the actual lane drop. This means that the traffic jam starts earlier, and people spend more time on the narrowed road, even though part of it is only virtually narrowed.

This, this, a hundred times this.  An early merge only serves to make the constricted section longer.  A sign a mile in advance saying "merge now" or a bunch of road cones 20 feet from the equipment:  no difference either way.

Two cases where early merge has problems is if the lane closure is posted, but doesn't actually occur; ...

This is precisely why I never merge until I can actually see with my eyes that the lane is physically closed.

A few weeks ago, I went against this rule, and it bit me in the butt.  There was a mile or two tailback of cars going 0.00005 mph in one lane, and an occasional one zooming by in the closed lane.  There was even a highway department truck with its yellow lights flashing on the side of the road ahead of the closure.  After inching along for an eternity, I learned that the lane was no longer even closed at all:  no remnants of an accident, no police cars wrapping up paperwork, nothing.  The entire traffic jam was caused by people merging early.

[kalvado]

Two cases where early merge has problems is if the lane closure is posted, but doesn't actually occur; ...

This is precisely why I never merge until I can actually see with my eyes that the lane is physically closed.

Which is certainly reasonable. Before you see it - something like 1/4 mile, 50-70 cars maybe? Could be a good compromise.
But let's make it interesting. What about long term/permanent lane drops? Those do exist, and if you drive that way often enough you know things are not going to change suddenly.
An even odder ball. What about an exit which gets customary backed up, say during commute when it gets more traffic that the ramp and next merge can handle?

[kphoger]

But let's make it interesting. What about long term/permanent lane drops? Those do exist, and if you drive that way often enough you know things are not going to change suddenly.

It's not really all that interesting, because it's functionally no different than a normal non-construction lane drop.  I don't merge early at a normal lane drop unless I think it's advantageous.  So, for example, here, I don't typically merge out of the right lane as soon as I see the yellow sign, but rather stay in it till the actual taper.  Sometimes this means I end up overtaking slower vehicles who merged early.  I treat a long-term road construction lane drop no differently:  I'll use any and all lanes until the point where one of them is actually closed.

An even odder ball. What about an exit which gets customary backed up, say during commute when it gets more traffic that the ramp and next merge can handle?

If I'm understanding you correctly...

(1)  I don't avoid the right lane just because there might be merging traffic;  unless there's an actual reason to move over, I keep right.  At least, that's true if there are faster drivers around or behind me;  otherwise it doesn't matter what lane I'm in, so I'm more likely to "hog" the next lane over.

(2)  On the other hand, I do hesitate to move over into an added right lane if the next on-ramp tends to be a busy one.  That's the case here, where not only do the next two on-ramps downstream (from Pawnee) typically have plenty of merging vehicles, but the first is a loop ramp and the second is hidden behind hump of the interchange.  So I commonly wait till after that interchange to slide over into the right lane.

[hbelkins]

I think it depends on whether or not a zipper merge is required by law. My understanding is that in some cases, it is. And in the photographic example posted above, if the sign had been white instead of orange, it would be a legal requirement.

Me, I'd rather merge early into the open lane than use the clear-but-closing lane and then wait for someone to do me a favor they aren't obligated to do and let me in.

But if the zipper merge is clearly communicated, then I'm good with it.

[kalvado]

But let's make it interesting. What about long term/permanent lane drops? Those do exist, and if you drive that way often enough you know things are not going to change suddenly.

It's not really all that interesting, because it's functionally no different than a normal non-construction lane drop.  I don't merge early at a normal lane drop unless I think it's advantageous.  So, for example, here, I don't typically merge out of the right lane as soon as I see the yellow sign, but rather stay in it till the actual taper.  Sometimes this means I end up overtaking slower vehicles who merged early.  I treat a long-term road construction lane drop no differently:  I'll use any and all lanes until the point where one of them is actually closed.

An even odder ball. What about an exit which gets customary backed up, say during commute when it gets more traffic that the ramp and next merge can handle?

If I'm understanding you correctly...

(1)  I don't avoid the right lane just because there might be merging traffic;  unless there's an actual reason to move over, I keep right.  At least, that's true if there are faster drivers around or behind me;  otherwise it doesn't matter what lane I'm in, so I'm more likely to "hog" the next lane over.

(2)  On the other hand, I do hesitate to move over into an added right lane if the next on-ramp tends to be a busy one.  That's the case here, where not only do the next two on-ramps downstream (from Pawnee) typically have plenty of merging vehicles, but the first is a loop ramp and the second is hidden behind hump of the interchange.  So I commonly wait till after that interchange to slide over into the right lane.

What you're saying basically refers to situations when traffic is flowing more or less smoothly. If that is the case, I would say a lot of things are OK - until you, or other drivers, need to suddenly hit breaks as a result of your actions. Going around slower traffic is a fair game.
But what if we're in congestion mode, when the traffic is backed up - and there are no gaps for an easy merge and someone needs to actively let you into the lane?

[kphoger]

But what if we're in congestion mode, when the traffic is backed up - and there are no gaps for an easy merge and someone needs to actively let you into the lane?

Then I'll use any and all lanes until the point that there's an actual and physical closure (well, preferably more than seven inches before that).  If we're in congestion mode, then I especially don't want to make the constricted portion longer than it needs to be by merging early.  If people aren't going to let me in easily, then I'd rather it be later than sooner.

[kphoger]

I guess there is a perfect world scenario in which...

(1) I know for certain that the lane is actually physically closed up ahead;

(2) Traffic is seriously congested up at the merge point, such that gaps are hard to come by, but still moving at a non-crawl pace;

(3) Traffic where I am is not congested, such that I can easily merge over.

In such a perfect world scenario, it might possibly be better to merge early, just to avoid a near-zero-mph merge.  But in my experience, such a perfect world scenario, in which all three conditions are true, is rare.

[kalvado]

But what if we're in congestion mode, when the traffic is backed up - and there are no gaps for an easy merge and someone needs to actively let you into the lane?

Then I'll use any and all lanes until the point that there's an actual and physical closure (well, preferably more than seven inches before that).  If we're in congestion mode, then I especially don't want to make the constricted portion longer than it needs to be by merging early.  If people aren't going to let me in easily, then I'd rather it be later than sooner.

Coming back to an exit merge - traffic is customary backed up into the exit, as always between 3 and 6 PM, right lane is crawling packed for half a mile before ramp starts, left lane is wide open. what would you do? 

[kphoger]

Coming back to an exit merge - traffic is customary backed up into the exit, as always between 3 and 6 PM, right lane is crawling packed for half a mile before ramp starts, left lane is wide open. what would you do? 

Are you talking about an 'exit only' lane?  And I'm not exiting?  Or what do you mean?

[Max Rockatansky]

But what if we're in congestion mode, when the traffic is backed up - and there are no gaps for an easy merge and someone needs to actively let you into the lane?

Then I'll use any and all lanes until the point that there's an actual and physical closure (well, preferably more than seven inches before that).  If we're in congestion mode, then I especially don't want to make the constricted portion longer than it needs to be by merging early.  If people aren't going to let me in easily, then I'd rather it be later than sooner.

Coming back to an exit merge - traffic is customary backed up into the exit, as always between 3 and 6 PM, right lane is crawling packed for half a mile before ramp starts, left lane is wide open. what would you do? 

I'm probably staying left and merging in between a cars that have a gap approaching the actual exit ramp.

Or alternatively if there is an exit coming up I can use in conjunction with a surface alternate that isn't backed up I might just decide to detour to that.  I used to do that a lot in Phoenix trying to get between westbound Loop 202 and northbound AZ 51.

[kalvado]

Coming back to an exit merge - traffic is customary backed up into the exit, as always between 3 and 6 PM, right lane is crawling packed for half a mile before ramp starts, left lane is wide open. what would you do? 

Are you talking about an 'exit only' lane?  And I'm not exiting?  Or what do you mean?

I am talking about typical exit setup. I have this location in mind, but can  be anywhere else.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/KUexrqDv3jxWetHo8
There is more traffic trying to exit to northbound highway than can get through. So right lane is congested.  You can continue straight in the left lanes and go southbound without too much delay (typical during evening commute).
Would you try to get to the exit last second, or merge early and wait in line?

[kphoger]

I am talking about typical exit setup. I have this location in mind, but can  be anywhere else.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/KUexrqDv3jxWetHo8
There is more traffic trying to exit to northbound highway than can get through. So right lane is congested.  You can continue straight in the left lanes and go southbound without too much delay (typical during evening commute).
Would you try to get to the exit last second, or merge early and wait in line?

Ah.  There's a similar type of situation on my daily commute home from work.  See below.

My daily commute home involves exiting via the option lane here, and I do it approaching the afternoon rush.  The exit-only (accel/decel) lane is frequently stacked up at 40 mph or less, sometimes a dead stop at the gore point.  The option lane (rightmost of the three through lanes) is frequently stacked up with people who are trying to merge their way over into that lane, or else merge their way out onto the mainline from just getting on.  So, probably one day out of every three, I do a double lane change from the center lane, because my ramp is free and clear.  It's a roll of the dice, however, that I'm going to get a gap in traffic–that is, I'm banking on the fact that at least half the people in the right lane are actually going to change lanes to the right.  Every once in a while, I never get that gap.  And you know what?  There's no shame in taking the next exit.  I get off at the next exit and take this phallic-shaped route instead (free-flowing due to the folded diamond configuration).

The difference, perhaps, is that I'm not actually going the same direction as the backed-up traffic.  But if I were, then I would likely not "try to get to the exit last second", but would likely "merge early and wait in line" instead.  This is because I see a fundamental difference between the two scenarios.  If there's a lane drop, and I go all the way to the end, then find it difficult to merge in, I'm not blocking anyone:  my lane is ending, after all.  But in the exit lane scenario, waiting till the last second could leave me stuck in a through-lane blocking through-traffic, and that is something I don't want to do.

[jeffandnicole]

I think it depends on whether or not a zipper merge is required by law. My understanding is that in some cases, it is. And in the photographic example posted above, if the sign had been white instead of orange, it would be a legal requirement.

How do you make it a legal requirement? If the skip lines are present, one can legally go over the lines to pass or merge in. They would need to be repainted to double-whites to prevent someone from merging early legally.

[kalvado]

I think it depends on whether or not a zipper merge is required by law. My understanding is that in some cases, it is. And in the photographic example posted above, if the sign had been white instead of orange, it would be a legal requirement.

How do you make it a legal requirement? If the skip lines are present, one can legally go over the lines to pass or merge in. They would need to be repainted to double-whites to prevent someone from merging early legally.

It's one of those cases of "do what I think, not what I say"
Some jurisdictions try to make zipper a requirement, the most critical aspect is that a packed lane MUST allow merges vs "merge into available gap" used elsewhere. Then the situation we're talking about (proceed in an open lane, merge late) becomes a god law-given right and required behavior.
Most obvious side effect is that the fault of merging crash can be, depending on how zipper is legalized, be assigned to either party, possibly to minimize insurance payment.

[webny99]

hen I would likely not "try to get to the exit last second", but would likely "merge early and wait in line" instead.  This is because I see a fundamental difference between the two scenarios.  If there's a lane drop, and I go all the way to the end, then find it difficult to merge in, I'm not blocking anyone:  my lane is ending, after all.  But in the exit lane scenario, waiting till the last second could leave me stuck in a through-lane blocking through-traffic, and that is something I don't want to do.

Another fundamental difference is that it's generally not advised (and also in poor taste) to cross a solid white line, and no such line exists when two lanes merge to one. Therefore, the location where the stippled lines switch to a solid line would be the latest I'd consider merging over, but I would default to the location where the regular dashed lines change to stippled lines (with NYSDOT, typically around 1/2 mile before the gore point) if there's no traffic.

[SSOWorld]

Today's drama. A rear-end job (marked by a Wazer as a "pile-up" before I arrived    ) that blocked the right lane at the bridge - a commercial van rear-ended an ambulance!! Pay attention to the 18-wheelers. They are riding the center line - albeit barely. This happened yesterday when I was driving the zipper lane - they got in the way of anyone that tried to drive the lane - at this same point. (left lane for me yesterday - right lane cleared here today.

That being said, here the ramp needs to get in, and they had no issue finding gaps.