What exactly is a zipper merge?
When a lane is closed in a construction zone, a zipper merge occurs when motorists use both lanes of traffic until reaching the defined merge area, and then alternate in “zipper” fashion into the open lane.
Most New Mexico motorists start to merge in construction zones as soon as they see warning signs and learn which lane ahead is closed. This is called an “early merge” and it can lead to dangerous lane switching, inconsistent driving speeds that cause crashes, long back-ups that block interchanges, not to mention angry drivers and road rage. Research shows, however, that these dangers decrease and traffic moves more smoothly when motorists use both lanes until reaching the defined merge area and then alternate into the open lane. This is known as a zipper merge.
Why is NMDOT doing this now?
As our state continues to grow, maintaining and expanding our roadways becomes even more important. With an increase in both projects and population, there will be a pressing need for safe, more efficient ways of navigating through construction zones. The zipper merge has been proven to alleviate traffic, and NMDOT is committed to improving the driving experience on all our roadways.
What are the benefits of zipper merge?
A zipper merge is a more efficient way for traffic to proceed towards a construction zone. It reduces differences in speeds between two lanes. It also reduces the overall length of a traffic backup by as much as 40 percent. Besides reducing congestion, it also creates a sense of fairness since all lanes are moving at the same rate.
How is it done?
In order for the zipper merge to work, both lanes approaching the construction zone should be used by motorists. As you see the “lane closed ahead” sign and traffic backing up, stay in your current lane up to the point of the merge. Then take turns with other drivers to safely and smoothly ease into the remaining lane. When traffic is heavy and slow, it is much safer for motorists to remain in their current lane until the point where traffic can take turns merging in an orderly fashion.
Courtesy on the Road in NM
Because the zipper merge is new, and requires drivers to approach a construction zone in a new way, it may cause some concern, or outright anger in some drivers. Please realize that your fellow drivers who are staying in the their lane until the lane ends are not “getting over” on other drivers. They’re actually doing the right thing. So let’s all drive a bit nicer, a bit friendlier and let that car in ahead of you when they get to the merge point. Remember, here in New Mexico, we all look out for each other, and courtesy on the roadway is one more way of doing just that. As we all get used to the zipper merge, give your fellow driver a wave and let them merge in, it’s the New Mexico way!
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