"Use Both Lanes Until Merge Point"
You've seen it. Road construction with a lane closed and traffic needs to merge from two lanes into one. Construction companies are now posting signs for traffic to "Use Both Lanes" up to the merg...
Forum Discussion
valhalla360 wrote:
I'm a traffic engineer who sets up maintenance of traffic plans as part of my work.
It depends.
Under light traffic conditions where traffic is continuing to move smoothly, merge as soon as you get the chance and don't try to fly past everyone. Doing so and then forcing a merge at the last second causes additional congestion, delay and crashes.
Where the signs are used, is typically where traffic is heavy and significant backups are expected. If traffic backs up too far, it can block off up stream ramps causing more problems. In that case, lining up in both lanes reduces the overall queue length and the associated issues.
It's essentially the lessor of two evils.
Playing traffic cop is rarely a good idea but playing speed racer also isn't a good idea.
PS: The contractor (construction companies) are typically not the ones laying out the plan. They implement what is in the contract.
I am not disputing on what you are saying but will any of us live long enough to see anyone learn to zipper?
Now can you explain how the @#$%^ traffic circles are suppose to be so great?
