ABQ motorists need to learn the ‘zipper merge’

ZIPPING THROUGH MERGES: Phillip Reu emails “I was stuck in traffic coming back over the weekend to Albuquerque from Santa Fe due to a lane closure on Interstate 25. People were queuing up early in the through lane, and then there (were) all sorts of problems at the merge point with people not letting others in. It seems like that traffic situation would be a perfect location to begin introducing zipper merging to New Mexico traffic.”

Phillip points out that zipper merging — in which traffic uses all the open lanes up to a closure, where drivers in the through lane each let a car in the closed lane in front of them — “is safer, more efficient, and as soon as everyone starts doing it, fairer! I would love for the paper to begin teaching on this topic and start getting the New Mexico Department of Transportation to put signage up at construction to inform and train drivers . ... the electronic signage can easily inform drivers to do this at construction points.”

In fact, NMDOT’s Bernadette Bell, public relations officer for the District Three office, says Phillip “is absolutely right . ... We promoted this type of merge during several construction projects and have a video.”

Which she provided and is posted at ABQJournal.com.

Bell explains “the proper merge, also referred to as the smart or zipper merge,” this way:

“When approaching a construction zone that merges traffic into fewer lanes — for example a two-lane highway merges into one lane — when seeing a sign that says ‘lane closed ahead’ most motorists start to merge as soon as they see warning signs. This driving behavior, called ‘early merge,’ can lead to dangerous lane switching, inconsistent driving speeds that cause crashes, long backups that block interchanges, and road rage.

“Upon seeing a lane closure sign, the smart merger immediately reduces speed and resists the urge to merge early. During congested situations, it’s recommended that both lanes be used until the closed lane actually closes. The merging traffic and the through traffic lane should then act as a zipper that is closing and allow every other vehicle from the merging lane to enter the remaining open lane. In other words, every other car gets its turn at merging into the single open lane. This should be considered a standard for safe merging habits and has been found to reduce the overall length of traffic back-ups by as much as 40 percent.”

THANKS FOR THE NEW AND IMPROVED PASEO: West Side resident Don Lenk wanted to share “kudos to Albuquerque Asphalt for their excellent job of repaving Paseo del Norte west of I-25.”

AND THE AUTOBAHN IS BACK: Martha asks in an email “has the speed limit on Paseo changed without any signs going up?

“According to the signs, speed limit is 60 mph max ... however, I must be the only one adhering to the speed limits since every single vehicle passes me doing 80-plus. In the 14 years I have lived on the West Side I have seen only one vehicle stopped, however I have no idea if for speeding or something else. The way vehicles weave in and out of traffic leaves me surprised there have not been more accidents. I hope you can pass this concern to the powers that be.”

The Albuquerque Police Department has advised that anyone with speed/traffic concerns can call the non-emergency number, 242-COPS, or contact their local substation to request speed trailers, extra patrols, etc.

The six area command numbers are:

Foothills Area Command, 3325240

Northeast Area Command, 8234455

Southeast Area Command, 2562050

Valley Area Command, 761-8800 Southwest Area Command, 8314705

Northwest Area Command, 7684850.