Winnipeg pushes zipper merge for drivers in pilot project

WINNIPEG – Drivers may think they’re back in kindergarten when they start to see “take turns” signs pop up on Winnipeg streets as the city implements zipper merges at construction zones.

A zipper merge occurs when a lane is closed ahead but drivers continue to use the lane until they near the closure, at which point the cars in the affected lane merge into the lane beside them in a zipper-like pattern – one car in the open lane goes followed by a car in the closing lane, taking turns, co-operating, and being courteous.

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In order to help Winnipeggers who might not be familiar with zipper merges, the city plans to put up signs advising drivers “Merge here” and “Take turns.” The first signs will go up in a construction zone in the northbound lanes of Lagimodiere Boulevard between Fermor Avenue and Dugald Road beginning Wednesday.

In a news release Tuesday, the city said the goals of using the zipper merge are:

• to reduce the length of the traffic queue waiting to enter the construction zone, which can reduce congestion leading up to the closure; and
• to encourage similar speeds in both lanes at the merge point.

“Speed differentials between vehicles are a significant risk factor in motor vehicle collisions,” the news release says.

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Coun. Matt Allard said the potential payoff is “huge,” with the biggest payoff being a reduction in the length of traffic lineups.

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But will Winnipeggers do it?

“There may be a bit of a learning curve,” Allard admitted. “It is possible, but will definitely require a culture change in Winnipeg.”

In Minnesota, attempts to convince drivers to do the zipper merge have extended to the creation of instructional videos. Watch two of the videos from the Minnesota Department of Transportation below.

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