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All-TigerNet [11183]
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CU Medallion [65512]
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I would love to see them put tire strips down randomly the
Jun 30, 2021, 1:25 PM
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last hundred yards or so before the actual merge. Let those last minute Cootsuckers have to buy them some new tires instead of whipping in front of someone who did it as intended.
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110%er [6825]
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Re: That dude that is trying to merge into a line of cars backed up
Jun 30, 2021, 1:32 PM
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I might be an Clemson-trained expert in this (thanks Lowry!) but yeah, it is a physics sqft of asphalt issues and if everyone merges at the very end (ie the cones/baracades) this it make the whole process better. Otherwise you are willingly removing asphalt volume while keeping the car volume the same.
I am fine that if folks want to merge as early as possible so they are more comfortable, that is fine, it is the coots that merge early and then try and block an open lane of travel.
It is basically like a coot football team at 4-8 that tries to have everyone else finish with them. No mas.
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110%er [6825]
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Re: That dude that is trying to merge into a line of cars backed up
Jun 30, 2021, 1:45 PM
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I remember about 10/12 years ago when they were reconstructing the railroad bridge and the impacts caused 123 to reduce to one through travel lane just past the Ace hardware. I was in my truck and traveling in the right lane of that weird 3-wide section. Basically, the right thru lane was closed just past or near the train station, the left lane technically still open, but then closing and making use of the left/center suicide lane with a cue for thru traffic. I had someone exit the left lane to block me to the far right but since it was really wide, they had to swing very wide. Well, the guy behind him closed the gap and stranded him with me. Well, it took a while but they eventually got back in (while also kinda trying to block me. I meanwhile continued in the right lane all the way down to were it became the right turn onto six-mile! Darn unassumingly coot tried to block the right turn because the straight traffic was backed up.
What drove me bonkers was that folks would start cueing way before the 76/123 light. That made the light become MORE of a bottle-neck than the lane reduction as the timing would limit the number of vehicle per cycle and if folks used the two lanes, double the vehicles could pass through.
Then again, I get use to this as it happens in my work as well. I didn't always drive the state vehicle but on route to a specific location, this would happen when I was trying to actually access a site while in my personal vehicle.
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Orange Blooded [4596]
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Re: That dude that is trying to merge into a line of cars backed up
Jun 30, 2021, 2:58 PM
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No. Keep telling yourself that you're being efficient when you're just being a jerk.
A zipper merge IS more efficient, when everyone knows that there is a zipper merge AND when everyone takes their proper turn AND when everyone is ready when their turn comes thus keeping the whole process moving smoothly.
When the signs say "Lane closed ahead, get RIGHT." zooming past a mile of cars who followed the directions so you can jam your way into the front and force people to jam on their brakes and let YOU in because YOU'RE SO IMPORTANT (some people will basically physically ram their way into the head of the line, too) is not "efficient" for anyone except selfish jerks.
If the sign says "Lane closed ahead, prepare to merge." then there would be no room for an a-hole to zoom up forward, because both lanes would be full right up to the merge point.
I've always wanted to see a traffic law that says zooming to the front of a closure like that was a minimum $1000 fine and maybe impoundment of the car right then and there (see how much time you saved by cutting in line?). Just have a cop sitting at the head of the line ready to grab the jerks. Far better use of time than waiting for speeders, IMHO.
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All-TigerNet [11183]
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Mercy MPercy! where did I say all of that.
Jun 30, 2021, 3:15 PM
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I think it could apply in both cases (merging on ramp and lane closed ahead) but if you say "A zipper merge IS more efficient..." then surely you have been in situations like posted above where people started merging too soon so they wouldn't fill up the lane and caused EVERYONE to sit through the same light 3 times because they didn't fill both lanes. This happened to me EVERY time I went to Clemson in the same intersection that the poster above is talking about at ACE Hardware. It happens on I-85 when you have a wreck near an OFF-ramp and nobody will let the one dude that's trying to merge to the left lane around the wreck (or construction) and you can't get around that sucker to get you our exit that you can see right in front of you.
At the end of the day, if everyone was more courteous in both scenarios then we'd have less road rage accidents.
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110%er [6825]
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Re: That dude that is trying to merge into a line of cars backed up
Jun 30, 2021, 3:45 PM
[ in reply to Re: That dude that is trying to merge into a line of cars backed up ] |
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Again, my take is that if you want to cue early and wait, fine. My issue is when folks cue early and then expect people to cue behind them.
The lane closes when it closes.
But you are showing your ignorance to the situation as well. Until the barricades etc block the lane of travel, it is an open lane of traffic. The "lane closed ahead" is a notification and it isnt until you see the "lane closed, merge left/right" sign that it is "required".
And then there is a upto $5000 dollar penalty for violation of “endangering a highway worker” when a coot-driver travels outside of a designated lane or fails to obey traffic signs or signals in a highway work zone.
Otherwise, if you expect other drivers to merge and wait early with open asphalt ahead of them as "the way", then I guess you are right piqued that the "jerk" Dabo would continue playing football that last 2:01 minutes in the 4th... when obviously the game was over
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All-In [26514]
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Yeah .... No ... good try though
Jun 30, 2021, 3:47 PM
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If DOT was on board with this then they wouldnt even put out warning signs about the lane closure
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110%er [6825]
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Re: Yeah .... No ... good try though
Jun 30, 2021, 4:01 PM
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DOT is trying to protect their workers and there are required distances that forces the workzone area. They also have congestion mitigation plans/actions during temporary closures.
However, due to the large amounts of driver idiots (ie distracted drivers, bad drivers etc), the warning of future impacts have to further out. You would be amazed at how many drivers are so oblivious to signs even several 1000 fee out and expect a burma aftershave level of warning over 10 miles.
Then again, saying the lane is closed ahead is not a merge now sign (those exist) and most folks don't know the merge sign or down pay attention to them.
Zipper merges are not new... I mean if NCDOT is trying it five years ago, you know it is older than a wooden wheel.
https://abc11.com/zipper-merge-road-study-congestion-i-85/1456186/
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All-In [26514]
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So its about safety, not efficiency ... hum
Jun 30, 2021, 4:11 PM
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So driving 90mph right up to the merge point would be frowned upon?
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110%er [6825]
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Re: So its about safety, not efficiency ... hum
Jun 30, 2021, 4:27 PM
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Driving 90 is breaking the law to begin with so ... that is basically reckless driving in nearly ever situation (save for those higher speedlimit places and assuming it isn't a construction zone). Even with those under the posted speed, drivers must take consideration of the road conditions.
However, the standard for a highspeed limited access highway travel lane is 12 feet (or sometimes more) and even with stopped/near stopped traffic, that width allows a lot of drivers to feel comfortable with moderate speed in the adjacent lane. At that point, a 2 lane highway is wide enough to park 3 cars with plenty of space for doors to open. Thus if you are slow/crawling, even a car passing at 40 miles per hour will seem "fast".
The issue is the "waiting warriors" who merge infront to block traffic going at a reasonable speed because they should wait.
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