Indiana adopts "use all lanes to merge point" this construction season

No more running interference against the four-wheelers?

 

Why does it make sense for everyone to sit in the same lane for hours on end when there is more than one lane for a reason?? If the contruction crew wanted the traffic to merge where all the wannabes play traffic cop, they would have put the cones there! The self righteousness in people is incredible. With that being said i am fully prepared to be labeled at that #### who decides to get over at the last minute (which im not) but thats fine. Zipper merge sounds like a good idea since everyone needs their hand held and literally needs it spelled out for them to know how to drive

 

In theory the zipper merge should work. In reality it's a joke. Especially around Central PA. People here can't drive when things are normal.

I remember back about 10 years ago or so, I was using the Ohio Turnpike alot. They knew what they were doing. If they were closing a lane five miles ahead, you knew about it. They'd put up a sign every mile for five miles announcing which lane was closed, and where at. Interestingly I never sat in traffic out there.

I dunno what PA is thinking lately. They'll close a lane and the only warning you get is a sign half a mile before the closure saying "Lane blocked ahead".

 

Zipper merge does work, IF everyone isnt being a twit.

*looks at the motoring public*

We're doomed

 

I managed to mostly avoid construction in IN this last season... Hopefully I will be able to do so again this season.

The zipper merge just simply does not work in the real world, as there are too many selfish drivers of both 4 and 18 wheel variety. And when traffic slows no one uses enough following distance to allow for safe and smooth zipper fashion merging.

 

Usually the construction signs say left/right lane closed in so many miles. Then theres usually a merge now sign, then a do not pass, but idiots will be selfish and still wait to the last minute to merge. Alot of times the same ones that took 4 miles to complete a pass 20 miles back, will go right back by you in the lane that closes, causing another 4 mile pass you have to endure when you get past the construction. Sorry if you dont like like it, but you will have to pass me on the shoulder if you want by, cuz i play traffic cop every chance i get.

 

I look at these back ups from the other side of the highway. These self appointed schoolyard monitors like what @Muddydog79 described seem to contribute to the delay. You don't want to be passed by everybody? Then drive to the merge point and do it there. If you want to merge early because it's easier for you, then don't let it bother you what everybody else is doing. Don't block both lanes!

 

Zipper method,,, , that will be the day. They've been trying to inform the public of the "zipper method" for years now, it won't work in America, where it's all about being 1st in line, apparently, no matter what it takes. They have good luck in Europe, where people don't drive like idiots, but they also embrace roundabouts, that don't work well here either. In America, someone falls back, aka zipper method, 10 idiots take advantage of that, creating an even worse problem. Nothing will help, except maybe $20/gallon fuel,,,

 

I really hate it when my zipper falls down