Annie Frey speaks with Tom Blair, Missouri’s Department of Transportations District Engineer, about zipper merging. Blair defines zipper merging, where and when it is supposed to be used and what MO-DOT recommends drivers to do to ensure safety and eliminate traffic.
“During light traffic volumes, you can merge in any way you want,” Blair said. “But as the traffic volumes get higher, it becomes more critical that we all put a little bit more thought into when is the appropriate time to merge.”
MO-DOT encourages drivers to use both lanes up until right before one ends, then merge like the teeth of a zipper coming together, alternating into the open lane: “Wait to merge – don’t get into one lane miles ahead of time – and take turns as you get closer to that actual merge point to merge.”
Getting over too early can take drivers longer to pass through a construction zone. A zipper merge is meant to lessen traffic congestion by reducing the length of the backup.
“It does not need to be a race,” Blair reminds listeners. “You really don’t gain that much by trying to butt your way in front of others, and you don’t gain that much by forcing the gap closed to allow a person not to merge in.”
Being courteous and using the zipper merge technique not only helps avoid worse traffic, but it makes a safer work environment for the people that are actually working in that area.
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