Articles
Zip Merging and the Global
Picture
Stuart Dalby, East Lancs IAM |
Zip Merging is the term used to describe
a method of combining traffic travelling in the
same direction in two lanes, into a single lane.
It is a technique advocated by the IAM and
there are many advantages in it's adoption:
1) Vehicles merge better when there is some
kind of order and when drivers are not in
competition to take advantage or be defensive
against other drivers.
2) The road's capacity is maximised since all
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lanes up to the
obstruction are used. All the traffic in a single
& therefore much longer queue can cause
further problems behind. For example if the queue
interferes with a junction or traffic lights. 3)
Removes the opportunity for a driver to make
progress at the expense of others. By zip merging
there is no totally empty lane which admittedly
is a big magnet for drivers to use.
4) Less road rage, not only whilst merging but
also whilst queuing. How often have we seen cars
and lorries deliberately obstruct traffic in the
outside lane?
So how do you zip merge? When you realise that
the lane you are in is blocked, do not switch
lanes immediately. Continue towards the blockage.
If cars ahead wait to pull into another lane,
wait for them to move out of the way and continue
in your lane. If you find that you are the first
car in your lane before the obstruction but it
still some way away, continue in your lane but do
not race ahead. Be
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prepared for a car
to pull out into your lane. When you are within
about 200 yards of the obstruction, slow to a
speed which matches traffic to your left and look
for a gap to move into. Indicate your intention
to move to the left and do so when safe. That's
it. Zip merging is sometimes difficult because
of a much bigger problem with the way a lot of
people drive today. Aggression and impatience. So
many drivers drive in an aggressive way. Examples
of this are: 
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