Everyone has to come to a stop to let in the person riding out the merge lane. Which compounds the traffic jam.
ST. PAUL, Minn.— The Minnesota Department of Transportation’s new Dynamic Late Merge System instructs drivers to take turns when entering a single lane closure situation to help reduce delay time in work zones.
This “take-turn” strategy often referred to as the “zipper” approach is used when traffic is congested. In this instance, drivers should use both lanes all the way to the designated merge point and then take turns merging.
“Drivers can help reduce frustration in work zones if they follow the directions on the signs; otherwise, the system won’t be as effective,” said William Servatius, Mn/DOT’s workzone safety specialist. “In some back-up situations, the signs have instructed drivers to use both lanes up until the merge point, but we’ve seen drivers merge too early – probably in fear that they won’t be let in by other drivers.”