Zipper Merges (Anton: design, car, rating)

[Soviet]

Does anyone know why San Antonians don't use zipper merges the way they're meant to be? They all crowd into one lane & prevent anyone else from using the zipper lane. I'm talking about the 410-281 ramps, the 281-N @ Sonterra area and the entrance to 281-S from Sonterra Boulevard. No one knows how to properly use zipper merges!!

Do you use zipper merges the way they were designed to be? How do you feel when people aren't using them properly? Or get mad at you that you ARE using them properly?!

[ashbeeigh]

What i see happen in this situation is that those that need to merge (ie entering traffic) speed up all the way instead of slowly entering the ramp. I do not have much experience at 281 and Sonterrra by the 281/410 area, if you wait until the dang near last second when those lines seperating the lanes are I'm upset. Be patient and get in where you're supposed to. I will give lots of space when it's closer to two lanes, but if you speed ahead of me you're gonna have to wait.

[Azure110]

Originally Posted by ashbeeigh

What i see happen in this situation is that those that need to merge (ie entering traffic) speed up all the way instead of slowly entering the ramp. I do not have much experience at 281 and Sonterrra by the 281/410 area, if you wait until the dang near last second when those lines seperating the lanes are I'm upset. Be patient and get in where you're supposed to. I will give lots of space when it's closer to two lanes, but if you speed ahead of me you're gonna have to wait.

This I agree with 100%. Way too many people who think their time is more valuable and want to cram in at the very last second.

[flashfearless]

I just don't get what you are referring to as a "zipper merge"? Are you talking about when people have to merge both directions using the same lane? The proper way to do this is to take turns and do like a weave...

[robinita]

Flashfearless, I believe a weave and zipper merge should be the same thing-- one person goes from the original lane and then one person goes from the merging lane, like teeth on a zipper coming together. That is the correct way to do it IMO so that both lanes get a little bit of progress on both sides. I do get annoyed when people try to bypass the "zipper" or "weave" or whatever you want to call it and just butt their way in at the front of the zipper. People need to wait their turn and have some sense of decency-- if people do the right thing, this traffic pattern should be relatively painless.

[prim8]

Unfortunately, we're long past the age where most people are willing to do the right thing on their own.

[SabresFanInSA]

Originally Posted by flashfearless

I just don't get what you are referring to as a "zipper merge"? Are you talking about when people have to merge both directions using the same lane? The proper way to do this is to take turns and do like a weave...

That is what he means by "zipper merge"

[ashbeeigh]

Just an example today...was on 281 north headed toward 419 west around 1. I always forget that direction backs up on the weekends due to North Star. But anyway. I was behind a truck that was so inpatient in the left lane that he moved over into the right (after it said the right needs to merge left) and promptly hot a car in front of where he was before. I just don't understand people (although they did have a Mexican plate and might not have understood that that lane ended? Or am I being too nice?)

[Rapscallion]

Originally Posted by prim8

Unfortunately, we're long past the age where most people are willing to do the right thing on their own.

Oh, I don't know, it's just something about when people get behind a steering wheel.



....or keyboard.

[Charles22]

I didn't really understand the original post.