Lane merging - Early vs. Late

**mitch_cumstein** · 11-07-2009, 11:10 PM

Originally Posted by paulster2626

Lets asy you're drivnin along and a lane is ending due to construction - I say it's better to merfe at the last second, while she says ists better to merge early.

What say the experts?

I'm totally a 'late-merger.'

I swear by it. If you're a half decent driver you can move ahead and 'merge' into traffic at the given rate, hypothetically only requiring someone to barely lift their foot from thegas pedal to let you in. Otherwise you're blocking traffic waiting forsomeone to completely hit their brakes, slowing traffic considerably to let you in AND you'reholding uptraffic trying to merge behind you.

What REALLY gets me is the cheese dicks that intentionally jump in between lanes to effectively block you from merging further down. I call it 'late merge resentment.' Those people are idiots and usually fromplaces like Greeley or even Longmont.

**mitch_cumstein** · 11-07-2009, 11:24 PM

After reading more of all of your posts..

There are certainly more parallels to be drawn between the way we merge and the way we vote...fundamental differences in reasoning and logic. Some people follow rules and some people just use common sense.

The KEY toa good merge imo is going with the flow. If you fly up to the cones like a homo, no one should let you in (and also because you drive either an a)late model Mustang, or b) a Dodge Ram Pickup) you shouldn't be let in. If you stop and wait for someone else to hit the brakes and let you in,you shouldnt be let in. If you follow the going speed of traffic and merge when there's enough room, you're doing it right.

**spicy cha cha** · 11-07-2009, 11:26 PM

late

**mitch_cumstein** · 11-07-2009, 11:28 PM

Originally Posted by grubbers

when i'm going with traffic at 45 and there's some dumbass just before the barriers at a dead stop, there is no way in hell that i'm going to let him in front of me.

Wait, you just admitted to learning to drive in Massachusetts? The point is to 'merge' not stop and go. I stand by the zipper analogy.

doughboyshredder · 11-07-2009, 11:31 PM

Originally Posted by spicy cha cha

late

Among Vanderbilt's findings is the discovery that "late merging" may actually cause traffic to move more quickly, contrary to popular belief. When a sign warns that the lane will end in a given distance, standard driving etiquette causes many to move over as promptly as possible. However, if everyone were to merge at a single point when the lane ends, the road would get maximal usage and lane changes would become more orderly. The result would be traffic that moves 15% faster than current behavior allows.

12345678

**dumpy** · 11-07-2009, 11:37 PM

I agree that there must be some to state to state variation on this.

DBS must live in a fascist state where traffic all drives at evenly spaced intervals and zipper merges are actually feasible. Il Duce himself is out there directing traffic. That actually sounds like a pretty decent implementation of fascist efficiency.

I live in a state where the traffic is random as fuck and merge warning signs are set about 1/4-1/2 mile back. By the time you reach the actual "merge point", aka the lane ending, it's too fucking late. Either you find a small gap in the slowed down and compacted traffic and gun it for the tiny break or somebody takes pity on you for being a dumb shit and ignoring the signs and decides to let you in.
Typically those that wait are assholes that massively slow down traffic because everyone needs to slow WAY down when suckers slow up to let these tards in. This slows traffic down way more than a gradual merging of traffic that starts a 1/2 mile before you lose the lane.

As usual Highangle lives in a state of confusion.

**mitch_cumstein** · 11-07-2009, 11:41 PM

Originally Posted by dumpy

I agree that there must be some to state to state variation on this.

DBS must live in a fascist state where traffic all drives at evenly spaced intervals and zipper merges are actually feasible. Il Duce himself is out there directing traffic....

I live in a state where...

As usual Highangle lives in a state of confusion.

Haha..i laughed.

**grubbers** · 11-08-2009, 12:08 AM

Originally Posted by mitch_cumstein

Wait, you just admitted to learning to drive in Massachusetts? The point is to 'merge' not stop and go. I stand by the zipper analogy.

i'm just referring to the dumbasses who don't know how to merge. there are plenty of people in mass who do know how to do it properly.

**Blurred** · 11-08-2009, 12:21 AM

Originally Posted by doughboyshredder

Merging early = small brain.

Merge points are set where they are for a reason. Merging early creates a traffic hazard.

What really gets me is the self righteous douchebag fucks that merge early and then try and straddle the lane to keep others from merging correctly.

Totally agree.

Merging early causes long waits in traffic. Alternate at the mergew point.....and there's a few times this Summer when the self-righteous cocksuckers tried blocking my lane, even though up ahead is where the MERGE HERE signs are.

If you block my lane, I might get out and beat your stupid fucking ass to a pulp....nothing worse than a fucking idiot promoting stupidity.

**Blurred** · 11-08-2009, 12:23 AM

Originally Posted by grubbers

the people who wait until the last second to merge are the ones who cause the traffic backups.

What maze gets you on the chair quicker...the one with late merge or condensing the entire maze into a single file line?

People like you should take the bus.

**AKturnanburn** · 11-08-2009, 06:31 AM

Originally Posted by mitch_cumstein

b) a Dodge Ram Pickup

WTF is wrong with dodge ram pickups, asshole? I can't believe you would judge me like that. who are you to decide what is acceptable? next thing you know you will be swerving at it and flipping me off because its black.

What is the world coming to?

And per the OP, I think whoever said it was a reflection of the local culture is right. there's givers and there's takers.

gunit130 · 11-08-2009, 08:40 AM

ATTENTION FUCKING RETARDS::::::

THIS IS THE CORRECT ANSWER.

Traffic Engineers strategically design merges so that BOTH lanes are fully-utilized up until the lane ends. In high traffic situations, the use of both lanes alleviates traffic congestion.

I have several family members who work for CDOT. They have explained this to me on various occasions.

One of my family members actually tries to educate dipshits after he rolls down his window.

Nothing can be more frustrating than seeing the dumb fucks not merge the way it was designed.

Colorado I-70 has got to be the worst for this.

**Flowtorch** · 11-08-2009, 09:44 AM

I'm glad this one came up. Hopefully the asswipe that works at Loveland-drives a newer red tacoma with red topper, parks at the maintenance building-please study this thread you jizz felching homo.

Driving up the hill out of Gtown on Monday. Of course, some twat is sitting in the left lane with no traffic around. I go to pass on the right and get my speed up to get up the hill. Red Tacoma lady appears on the on ramp and feels its his destiny to merge EARLY onto i70 going up the Gtown hill at 40mph. At that point myself and the leftlane lolly gagger were side by side and RedTaco lady figured he should be there too. Despite having another half mile to get up to speed and merge correctly-or wisely anyway.

RedTaco douchebag realizes there's nowhere for him to fit in so he starts pounding on the glass, screaming, spitting and throwing the finger. My finger responds to his finger then i'm long gone.

Redtaco ass, where do you get the idea that two vehicles traveling interstate speeds should stop, slow down and let you merge onto an interstate approaching a very large hill when you are doing maybe 40mph and not even using the merge lane?!?

Red Tacoma driving dipshit employee at Loveland. Fuck you.

End rant.

....someone please tell that asshole to read this though

**rossibandit** · 11-08-2009, 09:47 AM

TYPICAL TRAFFIC CONTROL LAYOUTS FOR LONG DURATION WORK ZONES IN BC.

http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/publications.../Chapter_4.pdf

Even though Tom Vanderbilt makes a compelling argument in the intro of his book Traffic, that traffic moving through a construction lane closure will move faster if one takes advantage of the merge, you should still try to merge as soon as possible when its safe.

Courtesy between all drivers in all lanes is the key factor for high volume traffic situations.

Another important factor for a traffic management plan (TMP) is to ensure that all the signage is properly spaced for the construction zones. If drivers encounter signage that is too far from the actual speed zone or traffic control person (TCP) the driver will tend to disregard that signage in the future.

http://www.howwedrive.com/

**Obstruction** · 11-08-2009, 09:59 AM

Late merging is simple common sense it puts more road surface to work than early crowding into a single lane.

The other good reason for late merging is that if you don't do it some other prick will.

"If you aren't part of the problem you are subject to it." Obstruction, 2003

**SkiingBear** · 11-08-2009, 10:14 AM

Just because its a perfect time to say this again...

Two things no man will ever admit he does poorly...drive and fuck.

**TheRealPoop** · 11-08-2009, 10:28 AM

Merging at the merge point is how it is designed to work. I used to be self righteous and merge early till I educated myself on what is the best thing to do (i.e. how traffic engineers intend the flow to be) and now I have switched.

You are going to deal with other people who think you’re a dick because you merge at the merge point.

That is the amazing thing about driving, we let everyone do it and most people are basing their driving on what they think is best rather than the proper way to do things. There is nothing else that we do with less education/high risk activity than driving.

Originally Posted by Flowtorch

I'm glad this one came up. Hopefully the asswipe that works at Loveland-drives a newer red tacoma with red topper, parks at the maintenance building-please study this thread you jizz felching homo.

Driving up the hill out of Gtown on Monday. Of course, some twat is sitting in the left lane with no traffic around. I go to pass on the right and get my speed up to get up the hill. Red Tacoma lady appears on the on ramp and feels its his destiny to merge EARLY onto i70 going up the Gtown hill at 40mph. At that point myself and the leftlane lolly gagger were side by side and RedTaco lady figured he should be there too. Despite having another half mile to get up to speed and merge correctly-or wisely anyway.

RedTaco douchebag realizes there's nowhere for him to fit in so he starts pounding on the glass, screaming, spitting and throwing the finger. My finger responds to his finger then i'm long gone.

Redtaco ass, where do you get the idea that two vehicles traveling interstate speeds should stop, slow down and let you merge onto an interstate approaching a very large hill when you are doing maybe 40mph and not even using the merge lane?!?

Red Tacoma driving dipshit employee at Loveland. Fuck you.

End rant.

....someone please tell that asshole to read this though

Dude you got to let it go, remembering every detail and then quoting it online is only going to hurt you, no one else. I mean, that shit is gonna happen-due to reasons already stated. Just let it slid off you or your gonna be a very angry/frustrated dude. Not to mention your well on your way for a road rage ticket, your insurance company will love that!

**iceman** · 11-08-2009, 10:31 AM

I agree that late merging is the way to go but there is truth in saying that it causes backups too, because people won't let people in and it quickly turns into a clusterfuck when somebody trying to merge ends up stuck in the roadway at a dead stop.

I generally work a combo approach, not getting over right away but getting over a bit before you hit the merge point so that I don't end up being "that guy", sitting there at a dead stop in the middle of the road with my blinker on. Seems like common sense to me.

**mitch_cumstein** · 11-08-2009, 10:42 AM

Originally Posted by iceman

I agree that late merging is the way to go but there is truth in saying that it causes backups too... in the middle of the road with my blinker on. Seems like common sense to me.

My point is it all depends on how smooth you are. People that fly up to the cones are fucking retarded idiots too. You gotta be smooth and go with the flow of traffic, but not block lanes.

Regarding dodge rams- I'm sure there are good dr drivers, but as has been discussed here many believe the Ram is a verb, not a noun and drive accordingly.

**iceman** · 11-08-2009, 10:45 AM

Originally Posted by mitch_cumstein

My point is it all depends on how smooth you are. People that fly up to the cones are fucking retarded idiots too. You gotta be smooth and go with the flow of traffic, but not block lanes.

Totally agree, that's what I'm saying. Keep your eyes open, look ahead, pick your spot and slide into it as close to the end as possible without getting stuck out in the lane.

**TheRealPoop** · 11-08-2009, 10:56 AM

Merging at the merge point is how it is designed to work. I used to be self righteous and merge early till I educated myself on what is the best thing to do (i.e. how traffic engineers intend the flow to be) and now I have switched.

You are going to deal with other people who think you’re a dick because you merge at the merge point.

That is the amazing thing about driving, we let everyone do it and most people are basing their driving on what they think is best rather than the proper way to do things. There is nothing else that we do with less education/high risk activity than driving.

Originally Posted by Flowtorch

I'm glad this one came up. Hopefully the asswipe that works at Loveland-drives a newer red tacoma with red topper, parks at the maintenance building-please study this thread you jizz felching homo.

Driving up the hill out of Gtown on Monday. Of course, some twat is sitting in the left lane with no traffic around. I go to pass on the right and get my speed up to get up the hill. Red Tacoma lady appears on the on ramp and feels its his destiny to merge EARLY onto i70 going up the Gtown hill at 40mph. At that point myself and the leftlane lolly gagger were side by side and RedTaco lady figured he should be there too. Despite having another half mile to get up to speed and merge correctly-or wisely anyway.

RedTaco douchebag realizes there's nowhere for him to fit in so he starts pounding on the glass, screaming, spitting and throwing the finger. My finger responds to his finger then i'm long gone.

Redtaco ass, where do you get the idea that two vehicles traveling interstate speeds should stop, slow down and let you merge onto an interstate approaching a very large hill when you are doing maybe 40mph and not even using the merge lane?!?

Red Tacoma driving dipshit employee at Loveland. Fuck you.

End rant.

....someone please tell that asshole to read this though

Dude you got to let it go, remembering every detail and then quoting it online is only going to hurt you, no one else. I mean, that shit is gonna happen-due to reasons already stated. Just let it slid off you or your gonna be a very angry/frustrated dude. Not to mention your well on your way for a road rage ticket, your insurance company will love that!

**Flowtorch** · 11-08-2009, 10:59 AM

Let it go? Did you read my post? I replied with my finger and was long gone. We both went to loveland and thats that. Letting shit slide isn't the problem, otherwise i woulda probably choked half u humps a long time ago.

It's a thread about lane merging on a ski forum, genius. And this happened three days ago....remembering details from the last week isn't much of a problem here.

And please, tell me how am i gonna get a road rage ticket out of that story? Nevermind, just shut the fuck up.

**mitch_cumstein** · 11-08-2009, 12:03 PM

Originally Posted by Flowtorch

Let it go? Did you read my post? I replied with my finger and was long gone. We both went to loveland and thats that. Letting shit slide isn't the problem, otherwise i woulda probably choked half u humps a long time ago.

It's a thread about lane merging on a ski forum, genius. And this happened three days ago....remembering details from the last week isn't much of a problem here.

And please, tell me how am i gonna get a road rage ticket out of that story? Nevermind, just shut the fuck up.

dude, ctfo.

**Flowtorch** · 11-08-2009, 12:19 PM

Jesus, can you sensitive boys lighten up? Cant believe i have to say this here. You act like i'm dead serious, typing in all caps and holding a gun to your moms.

While we're at it, i'd like cumstein to apologize to Dodge drivers, blurred I'd like you to apologize to that guy for tellin him to take the bus and saying you will beat that idiot for promoting stupidity, gunit for calling everyone retards, and 2funky for merging into that guys wifes ass.

Dudes, ltfu.