With the construction season in full swing, I believe it’s important to bring to drivers’ attention the concept of late merging, or the zipper merge.
Albertan drivers tend to merge early, either not to offend those who are already queued or because of anxiety of being stuck in the wrong lane and blocked out. Merging early into the unobstructed lane makes sense when traffic is light and flowing well. However, when traffic is heavy a long queue develops and leaves the merging lane empty. Anyone daring to use this empty lane is often met with dirty glances at best and “lane police” at worst – drivers who will block both lanes to prevent driving in the merge lane. This is usually followed by differing levels of road rage.
I live near the old Hole’s site and am constantly encountering and avoiding the traffic in that area. Because the unobstructed lane on Boudreau tends to change from day to day, drivers don’t know which is the blocked lane and heaven help those who merged into the wrong lane. Recently the backup has been affecting other intersections, while the merging lane remains empty. I see drivers too timid to turn from Sturgeon Road into an empty lane because it will put them ahead of those lined up; obstructing drivers who aren’t turning and creating jams where there shouldn’t be any.
According to the Minnesota department of transport the zipper merge “reduces the overall length of traffic backup by as much as 40 percent”. It also reduces the difference in lane speeds thereby increasing safety. It doesn’t increase flow through, however.
Toronto and Vancouver have much more traffic than Alberta; yet the zipper merge is the norm in these cities and the level of cooperation during merging is to be envied. In Belgium, it is now illegal not to late merge and fines can be levied for not letting people in. Germany and Austria also mandate the late merge when posted.
I recently passed a line of cars stretching over two kilometres long on the Anthony Henday Drive; I didn’t even realize that they were queuing because it was way too early to even know that there was a closed lane. I make no apologies for that and made fairly good time going home.
Brent Heit, St. Albert
