Discussions

I think the use of the lane end sign makes people switch lanes as soon as they see it and people in the non ending lane think they have right of way.  
 
We really need a sign redesign that shows both lanes ending at a zipper merger.

People see that Merge ahead sign and pull over as soon as they can. Defeats the purpose intended.  
Thanks OP for posting that article. Good to know Westman drivers aren’t the only ones who don’t understand a simple zipper merge.

tend to merge earlier because Canadian drivers are to selfish to let them in at the end of the lane.  
By merging earlier average speed can be maintained rather than the current situation of everyone coming to a stop as the merge occurs.  
If the merge happens earlier there is much less loss of speed and less confusion, folks just have to learn to give way a bit.  
To join a UK motorway you need to be doing 70mph as you come down the slip road to join the other traffic, everyone zip merges without too much hassle by moving over or just adjusting speed slightly.

Much of the problem comes from drivers in the lanr thT ends thinking that they need to merge AHEAD of the carbin the other lane. Sometimes they just need to slow down for a second and merge in behind that car.  
 
I witnessed this the other day in Brandon. Ahead of me in the left lane on 18th were 3 cars all in a close row. I was well back-you cod have merged a semi in front of me. Car in the right lane went along, speeded up, and then just pushed in front of the 3rd car. Seriously why? He could have held his speed and slipped into that big empty space with no stress at all

I miss the days when the zipper lane was only for the courageous. Real determination and strength of heart was required.  
 
Of course everyone else was backed up to Vic.  
 
So I think we’ve come a long way.  
 
Edited by MyEbrandon2021, 2021-12-10 10:19:00

Many studies have proven that zipper merging just before the lane ends is the best way to keep the traffic flowing smoothly.  
 
I’m often “that guy” in the right lane that blows past 30 cars backed up to BU and only once a guy was a jerk and tried to prevent me from merging.  
 
When I’m in the left lane, I always let folks merge. If they are inching forward at the red light, I know they want to go ahead of me, so I always allow them to go ahead.  
 
Why wouldn’t I?

problem is most folks do not merge until the lane ends, they then get backed up in a queue because they are not allowed in, and because they are unable to tell if the driver in the other lane is going to allow them in it creates a problem.  
Many times when I have driven down that part of town the drivers on the outside lane will not allow folks in, They just keep edging forwards, as if to say "you are not getting in front of me, I was here first"  
What does not help are the number and short distances between the crossroads at that point.  
Your reference to studies is interesting, perhaps you could give us site we can look at them.

I think the issue with the zipper merge is not the fact of people not wanting to let others in, its a problem around busy hours when the traffic is backed up and instead of everyone going into both lanes as you should, people backed up by BU think they can zoom past everyone and cut back in. That's a type of driver you don't feel like letting in. If everyone just drove in both lanes as normal we wouldn't have this problem. If you drive in the UK you practically have to be used to merging at high speeds and prepared to merge at all times in front of others, The traffic is a constant flow. Helps when other drives know to let people in and pull out as its so busy, but really driving here in Brandon is soo simple and most drivers are just pure ignorant... That is all.

You want everyone to drive in both lanes and zipper merge but you get upset at the few people that DO drive in the right lane and zipper merge.  
 
Me no understand.

This is a good flow. People are nervous and line up way back. I have never failed to do this in construction zones where the warning signs are way back, but merging can happen all the way up to the barricade. Most people get it and are kind, so we should reciprocate that kindness for the next.  
 
https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/goskagit.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/1/68/16827576-5e06-11e8-9e5f-873d28495755/5b0493ced9e33.image.gif  
 
Edited by No Comment, 2021-12-10 17:12:36

You are doing a huge disservice to traffic flow if you back up all the way in one lane.  
That said, if I blow past the whole line and ONE person on left is not going to let me in, I will wait and yield until someone slows to allow access. It's all give and take. I hope I can offer the same consideration, but I will be honest...at times I was pizzed at others doing this.  
 
I think it all stems from our prior experience with "The movie line up" mentality where cutting the line is so wrong. The nerve!

https://www.ayresassociates.com/breaking-down-the-zipper-merge/  
 
This is one study of several that came up.

I'm all for merging if the person who wants to merge knows what he's doing , I will not slam my brakes to let you in if you go with the flow all is good

I feel this city is is just not curtious to the other driver. No only on zipper merging (defintly on 18th Street) where they with ignore you or speed up so you cannot get in. But even getting into another lane. when Trying to getting into to park from 17th. Also there are always people stopping in intersections at red lights.  
 
Whenever I drive in Winnipeg I feel it is easier to change lanes, and get into traffic, I try my best to let people in that are waiting to enter the road because there are allot of people who are just sitting there basically watching traffic, The basic rule is for every 4 cars one should be allowed to turn on to the road.  
 
I scares me to see how some people actually have their drivers licence, (Knock on wood lol)

Problem with zipper merge is when not everyone does it, it messes up the system. You get people at the merge point feeling like the right hand lane blew past everyone to jump the line. But if even 90% people followed then traffic would just flow and move along. Other issue is the intersections with lights that disrupt traffic flow.  
 
People can't zipper merge where it is suggested and somewhat required, yet they will drive the length of brandon on other major streets and at the last minute try to change lanes and cut everyone off.  
 
Here is a great link that is pro zipper merge, but also discuss the issues when not everyone follows. And it what situations it kind of doesn't work.  
 
https://www.welikela.com/studies-show-merge-lanes-douchebag-ease-traffic-congestion/  
 
 
It's major traffic changes like this, (and traffic circles, double turn lanes and the likes) that I think every 5 years you should need to perform your drivers test again (written and driving) . Not so Much as a pass/fail but a refresher (unless you really do terrible) showing you know how to drive safely. Or maybe don't make it mandatory, but offer a decent discount on insurance if you do and an increase if you choose to not. Reward for trying to stay safe vs a penalty for not showing MPI you can be safe.

Retesting will not be necessary. Within 5-10 years all of our vehicles will drive themselves without human input. Maybe machines will be able to zippermerge better than humans.

I can't really tell if this is sarcasm, so I'll respond as if it isn't.  
 
They've been talking about self-driving cars since at least the 50s. It's highly improbable that cars will be strictly self-driving within the next 10 years. Might there be some? Sure, but it's highly highly highly unlikely they will be accessible to the vast majority of the population.  
 
Periodic re-testing should be the norm.

The Highway Traffic Act , Traffic Control Devices Regulation (https://web2.gov.mb.ca/laws/regs/current/_pdf-regs.php?reg=13/2019) does not list the sign shown in the attached image, from google maps, of the merge sign on 18th.  
 
Therefore, you can argue that zipper merging is good or bad, but there is no legal signage in MB to specify its' use.  
 
Until such time as the HTA is updated to include signage for zipper merges, you might as well argue about whether the better vehicle is made by GM or Ford or ..... because it is opinion only, not law.  
 
Andrew

Try squising out a cop in the right lane and see if you succed in fighting it out in court.  
That sign is a trafic control device and must be obeyed.

Or you could look at the next sign just north of the one in question....

In my experience those that call for periodic retesting are often the worst drivers.  
 
The fix here is proper enforcement of the rules of the road and for all road users to show courtesy and respect to each other.

The picture of the sign you mention is definitely relevant to the discussion of the Zipper Merge. If you have reached this sign, you can no longer legally Merge into the Left Lane. The picture clearly shows a Solid White Line, in the center between the two lanes of traffic at this point..